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Developing opportunities that transform young lives

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Youth at the centre

Melanie Orackova is 25, a former resident, and a Youth Board member. The Youth Board acts as a link to the Board of Management and is involved in decision making at the highest level. She says, “It’s a stepping stone to making things happen. Everyone’s voice counts at West London YMCA.”

When developing new projects or making decisions, the Youth Board are guided by the 6 priorities: Communication, Recognition, Having a Voice, Fundraising, Opportunities, and Programme Involvement.

She thinks the current economic environment’s tough for young people. Around 75,000 young people experience homelessness each year, with over 935,000 young people not in education, employment or training. She says, “There are not enough jobs and living on benefits is really hard. Applying for jobs again and again and being rejected again and again is very demotivating. It’s easy to turn to drink and taking drugs and hard to motivate yourself to keep on putting yourself in a situation where you will suffer rejection. If home is not a stable

environment either, you turn to other groups or gangs where you can feel you belong. You need support to leave your comfort zone and take a harder, more positive path. If your mind is open to new possibilities then the YMCA can help to put you on the right track. You might feel scared when trying new things but the support makes you feel like part of a team and that it’s OK.”

As a Youth Board member, she went to the annual YMCA National Conference in Nottingham with over 300 attendees from 45 YMCAs. She found the confidence to step outside her comfort zone and talk to new people from other YMCAs. She was amazed that nationally the YMCA accommodates 7,000 vulnerable young people a day, and each year supports 1 million young people. Around the world there are 125 countries with YMCAs helping 45 million people. Melanie’s grateful to her own YMCA for providing opportunities and support to help her develop confidence and new skills which give her a more positive future.

West London YMCA gives young people stepping stones to independent living: accommodation, support, training, and a wide range of opportunities to be involved. Through involvement, they grow in confidence and self-esteem, and are empowered to make positive, informed decisions about their lives.

About us

Healthy Living

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page 5

About us

Positive Activities

Find us

Accommodation

Confidence

Volunteering

Finances & Future

Working in partnership

Training

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Christian Faith in Actionpage 14

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19710 year holding Investors

in People award

Who we work with

And what they did...

450Provided accommodation for over

young people every night

0 - 13 year olds enjoyed activity classes in the Summer Term

staff and

141West London YMCA was

years old

The

Programme

9,360 Jumpers! Nursery changed over

nappies and built snowmen this year

Aged 0-11

Aged 12-15

Aged 16-25

Aged 26+

Housing

Nursery

Activity

Youth Access Project

Other cup cakes cooked in our restaurant Y two five

1,500

598young people

Hayes Young People’s Centre held

32football sessions for

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We work though supported housing, training and development, youth work and children’s activities, open to all and prioritising youth with fewer opportunities.

Although part of the wider YMCA Movement, we are a separate charity generating our own funding.

West London YMCA developing opportunities thattransform young lives

year in numbers 2011

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“No Such Thing As Can’t. That’s the motto of Miguel’s Live-wireZ programme. It’s a callisthenic form of exercise that involves the use of motivation, friend support, and your own body as resistance.Miguel’s a Senior Duty Officer at our St. Mary’s Road supported housing project in Ealing, which is home to 185 vulnerable young people aged 16 - 35. Previously a fitness instructor, he started off running one session a week in his lunch hour and when the young people saw what he was doing, the programme grew to a session

every weekday. It can be done anywhere, in a studio or the local park, using whatever is available, and is free. 40 – 50 young people a week take part.

Young people are often unemployed and not in training when they first arrive at the YMCA. They commonly feel unmotivated and do not use time in a meaningful way. Miguel finds the programme is particularly helpful in working with young people who are otherwise hard to engage with. Live-wireZ improves their physical health, impacts on their emotional and mental

health, and encourages them to form a social network and relationships with other residents.

Cooking healthy food and budgeting for shopping is another stepping stone to healthy living. West London YMCA’s supported housing project at Roxeth Gate, Harrow, has a training kitchen to help young people learn not to rely on expensive take-aways, and develop the knowledge and confidence to prepare simple, balanced meals. They really enjoy their cooking sessions and often find that cooking can be fun and a good way to socialise.

Jumpers! Nursery encourages healthy living in the youngest YMCA members. Ofsted’s

inspection report in September 2010 said: “The children have excellent opportunities to learn about healthy lifestyles, including a wide range of activities outdoors. They participate in nature trails and use large apparatus. Children enjoy cutting and preparing fruit for snack time and sit together to enjoy a range of healthy foods.”

“If you’re physically healthy,

you feel better about yourself”

Ofsted said Jumpers! Nursery is

in the extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles.

“outstanding”

Nursery

West London YMCA Annual Review 10-11 5

Federation

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He started volunteering and moved into a studio flat at WLYMCA 25, St. Mary’s Road where he could cook for himself and live more independently. Now he is enrolling for a media college course and planning his future.

It is estimated there are 75,000 homeless young people in the UK. Some live on the streets, with others in temporary accommodation, bed and breakfasts, or hostels.

Sometimes confidence grows in an unexpected way. Kereice has lived at WLYMCA since 2009. She could only find part-time work, and was broke. Then the unexpected happened: international TV star Cory Monteith was touring the UK with the fellow cast members of “Glee”, and through his role as an ambassador for the Virgin Unite Foundation (who work with the Foyer Federation), he visited WLYMCA 25 St. Mary’s Road Foyer where he met and had lunch with some of the residents, including Kereice.

Cory told residents about his turbulent teenage years, when he changed schools 12 times and battled drug problems. At one point he was homeless. He hopes to inspire young people not to be limited by their circumstances.

“If you focus on what you want and you persevere, chances are you’ll succeed,” he said.

Kereice says, “His encouragement really gave me a boost. I can see that short term barriers are only short term, and everything I do is a progression. It gives me confidence that I can do it too.”

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Everyone makes changes in their own way but for young people who have been homeless the pattern is often similar. First they may feel stuck, and the first stepping stone is learning to accept help. Then they start believing that life can be different, next learning how to make what they want a reality. Gradually they become more self-reliant, until they are confident in a new, independent life-style.

Ali’s 28. He graduated and worked in Lebanon, but got a reputation as a political activist and was shot in the leg. In 2007, reluctantly, he came to the UK and claimed asylum.

This was not an easy option. When he lost his job due to budget cuts, he could no longer pay his rent. He did not meet the Council’s criteria for housing, and had nowhere to live, nowhere to sleep, nowhere to wash or keep his clothes. He took a 24 hour bus at night so he had some shelter, and tried to sleep in parks during the day. He threw away most of his clothes and possessions. He was often hungry and would ask diners in McDonald’s to share food with him. With no home, he could not apply for jobs. Even thinking about a future was beyond him. One day he had £3 left in his bank account. He bought paracetamol and cans of Red Bull, intending to end his life, but came round in Ealing Hospital.

He was referred to West London YMCA. A room with a bed and access to a shower felt so good.

The first couple of weeks he stayed in his room, just coming out for meals and meetings with his support worker. He needed that time to adjust and to come to terms with what had happened to him. Then he went to the on-site training room, and started using the computers. His support worker encouraged him to get involved with some of the residents’ activities.

“The YMCA is like an electricity transformer. It takes negative powerand turns it into positive”

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West London YMCA Annual Review 10-11

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West London YMCA has 9 supported housing projects, and runs Supported Lodgings schemes in 4 boroughs. Supported Lodgings provide a young person with a room in a home where they can learn general life skills - everything from using public transport, opening a bank account, shopping for food and cooking to washing their own clothes.In April 2011, WLYMCA celebrated the opening of a new housing project in Greenford, with 13 self-contained, fully furnished flats. WLYMCA owned 3 houses which were in poor condition. They were demolished and the new development began. A capital grant from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) helped us fund the building work.

This new building offers an excellent facility to 16 – 35 year olds in our community who need our support. Young people are referred by Ealing Social Services and can stay from 3 months to 2 years. As well as a roof over their heads, individual support helps young people move on with their lives.

Sarina Virdee and Katie Sheahan, both 17 years old, moved into Greenford in April and May.

Until she was 16, Sarina had been in foster care. She says that without

WLYMCA, she would be homeless and struggling for money, carrying on with negative behaviour patterns and not doing anything of value with her life. At Greenford there are rules about alcohol, drug abuse and behavioural conduct, and opportunities for education and volunteering.

She says she is receiving wonderful support from the staff: “They are always to kind to me, and they always ask me how I am doing.” She is looking forward to starting an apprenticeship course in either IT or Business.

Katie was referred by Social Services on leaving hospital. She had been unable to cope with “sofa surfing” and living in a hostel, after she and

her mother had been evicted. The 24 hour staffing at Greenford makes her feel safe and the emotional support gives her the strength to get her life on a more positive track. She wants to work with people who have mental health issues, and is starting a Health Care BTEC course next year.

Both girls say that WLYMCA is a stepping stone for a more positive future. They have gained confidence and maturity, and are learning life skills, such as cooking, cleaning and managing money, as well as looking forward to continuing their education.

A safe place to live can transform the future for a young person who would otherwise

be homeless

389In the last

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young people have moved on to independent living

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Greenford 5-7 Otter Road, Greenford UB6 9DX Tel: 020 8832 1 540 Email: greenford2@londonymca.org

Northolt Grange 21 Hartfield Avenue, Northolt UB5 6NL Tel: 020 8832 1515 Email: northoltgrange@londonymca.org

Ventura House 72-74 Station Road, Hayes UB3 4DQ Tel: 020 8832 1555 Email: venturahouse@londonymca.org

Roxeth Gate Roxeth Gate, Roxeth Hill, Harrow HA2 0JN Tel: 020 8832 1550 Email: roxethgate@londonymca.org

Uxbridge Hillingdon Road, Uxbridge, Middlesex UB10 0AE Tel: 020 8832 1580 Email: uxbridge@londonymca.org

Supported Lodgings accommodation for young people with host families, with support Harrow, Hounslow, Hillingdon, Ealing Tel: 020 8832 1551 Email: supportedlodgings@londonymca.orga.

Hayes Young Peoples’ Centre 72-74 Station Road, Hayes UB3 4DQ Tel: 0208 832 1510 Email: youth@londonymca.orgorg

Children’s Activities 25 St. Mary’s Road, Ealing W5 5RE Roxeth Gate, Roxeth Hill, Harrow HA2 0JN Tel: 020 8832 1576 Email: activityclasses@londonymca.org

Youth Access Project Southall and Perivale Tel: 07971 977 302/ 020 832 1510 Email: youthaccessproject@londonymca.org

Jumpers! Nursery 25 St. Mary’s Road, Ealing W5 5RE Tel: 0300 11 11 505 Email: nursery@londonymca.org

Y two five restaurant and catering 25 St. Mary’s Road, Ealing W5 5RE Tel: 0300 1111 525 Ext 6598 Email: ytwofive@londonymca.org

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Twenty Five St Mary’s Road25 St. Mary’s Road, Ealing W5 5RE Tel: 0300 11 11 525 Email: stmarysrd@londonymca.org

Ealing Common 9-10 North Common Road W5 2QB Tel: 020 8832 1575 Email: ealingcommon@londonymca.orgrg

St. Christopher’s, Hanwell Bordars Road, Hanwell W7 1AG Tel: 020 8832 1505 Email: stchristophers@londonymca.orgrg

Poplars 2 Lillian Board Way, Greenford UB6 0SB Tel: 020 8832 1520 Email: poplars@londonymca.orgrg

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Housing Projects

Children and youth work

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This is something that our Youth Access Project for 8-16 year olds (YAP) is all too aware of as it provides after-school activity sessions in Southall and Perivale, ranked in the top 20% most deprived areas in England, where 26% of children live in poverty.

The project offers sporting and craft activities and encourages children not just to have

fun, but to take responsibility for each other and to organise activities. An “Awards Wall” rewards positive activities and vocational accreditations (AQA Examination Board) provide an important addition to a young person’s CV.

Rachid Jabari, 17, knows a lot of the children at YAP because they come from the estate where he lives. He coaches them at football, leads group games, and has grown into a leadership role as a youth mentor.

Rachid says, “It feels really good to be a youth mentor. I don’t feel superior – just

responsible. The children will turn to me when they might not choose to talk to an adult.”

Rachid wants to go to university and be a film director. His experience as a youth mentor provides a stepping stone to the confidence and experience of leadership he will need to do that.

Olympic hopeful, Hannah Beharry, uses non-contact boxing training to engage teenagers and

show them some social and moral guidelines at Hayes Young People’s Centre. She is boxing for Great Britain in the 2012 Olympics and provides an excellent motivation for the young people to commit themselves to boxing. She had a difficult upbringing herself and believes that boxing helped to shape her life in a positive way. She hopes that her determination to succeed and the ethos of boxing will help the young people at WLYMCA realise that they too can move forward with their lives.

The Metropolitan Police say the lack of safe, free play facilities to keep children occupied, often lead to

anti-social behaviour and crime at an early age.

children aged 0 - 13 years attended activity classes from Crawlers to Judo in the summer term

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West London YMCA Annual Review 10-11

Farshad Taimoori had been in prison for 6 months on remand. The area where he lived in Slough, had lots of gangs. One evening he was attacked by a gang of 15 in a dark alleyway. He was stabbed in the fight and needed a week in hospital, and found himself in prison awaiting trial. He had been at Langley College studying construction, but now in prison he couldn’t carry on with his studies. He thought about his education a lot. He didn’t know if he would be sentenced or how long he might be in prison, but he did know that when he came out it would be hard to find a good job without qualifications.

The court found him not guilty and Social Services referred Farshad to West London YMCA – Ventura House.

The YMCA made him feel welcome and he really relished freedom, but also appreciated the help of his support worker who worked with him to find a way forward with his life. He wanted skills and a qualification – and fast. The Connexions service

suggested plumbing. He enrolled on a course at Neasden College and has just finished a Level 2 qualification.

Farshad wanted to gain work experience and broaden his skills. He started to work alongside Tom Murtagh, a member of the maintenance team, practising general construction skills like repairs and plastering. Farshad helps Tom twice a week when he is not at college and finds this practical experience really helpful alongside his studies.

He has also learned a lot of basic living skills at the YMCA. He feels he knew nothing when he arrived at 18, but now has learned how to cook and budget – training for real life. He’s also spending time in the Hayes Young People’s Centre and

is researching drama courses to broaden his training options. He plays football and goes to boxing sessions.

Farshad’s hard work and motivation have moved him up the priority ladder for more independent living. He has been to view flats and hopes to move into his own place soon. Next he wants to do a Level 3 plumbing qualification and a gas fitting course.

Farshad moved to our Ventura House project in Hayes when he was 18. He’d just come out of prison.

Thank you YMCA for getting me this far Farshad

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Farhiya Farah, 26, has a degree in International Business. But, graduating in 2008, she found it very difficult to find work. The economy was in a poor state and unemployment was high. Employers wanted experience as well as qualifications. She could not afford a rent deposit for accommodation, was too old to be a priority for the Council, and found herself sleeping on friends’ sofas. She felt a burden and her self-esteem plummeted.

West London YMCA’s supported housing project in South Ealing had just started accepting young people who referred themselves. This was her opportunity – at last she had a room of her own, and a support plan to help her move forward.

She wanted to use her time in a positive way and get some experience that would help her find a job. She volunteered with WLYMCA’s Corporate Communications team

and got involved with marketing, fundraising and events. She organised WLYMCA’s “Sleep Easy” fundraising events, phoning local schools asking them to participate, gave a radio interview and even spoke at Harrow School about the problems facing young people today. She organised an Easter and Summer Fair. She became

a much valued member of the team and has worked over 1,000 hours as a volunteer.

She says, “West London YMCA has given me a place to call my own, and also the confidence I need to move on with my life. I’ve had lots of opportunities to be involved and a lot of experiences I would not have otherwise had. For me, the YMCA is a place that recognises individuals who are striving to better themselves.”

Companies and other charities volunteer at West London YMCA as well as individuals. During Volunteers’ Week in June, Southwark Habitat

for Humanity, community supporters, The Walt

Disney Company volunteers, staff and residents undertook the complete redecoration of Jumpers! Nursery in just 4 days. Gone were the dark purple walls, peeling paint and tired

carpets. In their place is a bright and airy space that the children can enjoy and both they and the staff are delighted with the results.

Find out more about volunteering at West London YMCA: phone 0300 11 11 500 Ext. 6583 or email volunteers@londonymca.org.

“I’m now 100% confident that I can do a job and make a success of it”

volunteers from 23 companies worked 1818 hours

September 2010 to August 2011

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volunteers from 23 companies worked 1818 hours

West London YMCA Annual Review 10-11

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Farhiya Farah, resident at WLYMCA, spoke to Chris Bewley, Contracts Management Officer at the London Borough of Hillingdon, about our Supporting People contract. Hillingdon selected WLYMCA as a specialist service provider to provide high quality, cost effective and flexible services for young people at risk and leaving care. Hillingdon Council’s vision is “Putting our residents first”, and this fits in with Chris’ experience of working with the YMCA. He said, “It’s like a stick of rock – the quality of service values and principles should go all the way through.”

He admires WLYMCA’s creativity in providing a range of activities beyond those funded by the Supporting People Programme, and believes that the partnership has generated new ways of working with young people.

Partnerships with our supporters are also vital, as pupils from 5 local schools demonstrated when

Funders & Supporters include: BBC Children in Need BP Church Urban Fund Connexions Ealing Children’s Fund Fidelity UK Foundation Foyer Federation Habitat for Humanity Hillingdon Community Trust Hillingdon Primary Care Trust Homes and Communities Agency Jack Petchey Foundation London Borough of Ealing London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham London Borough of Harrow London Borough of Hillingdon London Borough of Hounslow Lloyds TSB The Mercers’ Company Metropolitan Police National Housing Federation Pret a Manger Prince’s Trust Tenant Services Authority

YCare International YMCA England YMCA Training Youth in Action - European Voluntary Service

Our church supporters include: Christ Church Roxeth Northolt Grange Baptist St Andrew’s, Uxbridge St Christopher’s, Hanwell St Mary’s, Ealing St Mary with St Nicholas, Perivale All Hallows, North Greenford All Saints’ Ealing Common St. Matthew, Ealing Common St. Anselm’s, Hayes

they took part in our annual “Sleep Easy” sponsored rough sleeping events earlier in the year to fundraise for essential items needed by young people moving into accommodation.

One cold night in February, boys from Harrow School slept rough in cardboard boxes. Rory Castle, aged 17, said, “One of the main things that we realised was how the homeless person has very little choice. While we could go and get some water if we were thirsty, and eat snacks we had brought, in reality, these people have no idea where their next meal will come from, with no hope of this cycle ending. This is what West London YMCA desires to achieve. It works to take young people out of this unending spiral and put them on a path to recovery.”

Farhiya concluded that funders like Hillingdon provide the backbone to the help she had needed herself - a safe place to live and a programme of support. The additional community aid of supporters like Harrow School put plates and bed linen into her flat at West London YMCA – Ealing Common.

Farhiya Farah

West London YMCA works in partnership with funders and supporters to transform young lives.

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Our Christian ethos …Prayer

Christians associated with West London YMCA commit to pray for the work and people

People

Conducting relationships with integrity in the ways that Jesus taught

Passion

Reflecting Christ’s passion for the world through our passion for our work

Our values…Inspiring

inspire hope, change and transformation for young lives

believe that everyone has great potential

give the best we can and so inspire others

Inclusive

everybody matters – everybody should have opportunities to participate

value and celebrate diversity and difference

Relationships

create welcoming and caring environments - show love in action

build relationships on respect, integrity and trust

when we don’t get things right, restore relationships and try again

The values of West London YMCA come directly from our Christian basis. These values are not exclusive to Christianity but they are part of our distinctive approach. We aim to reflect them in all our activities, policies and working relationships.

West London YMCA has provided young people with an opportunity to develop and realise their God-Given potential since 1870.

Today, it works with young men and women regardless of race,religion or culture.

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A major achievement this year was the rebuilding of our project at Greenford to provide 13 modern high quality self contained flats. We are excited to see our new residents moving in. We invested capital funds in the new building along with a Homes and Communities Agency grant (thank you!), and we also had reduced income for the year whilst the building project was underway.

Our Nursery gained a “Good” Ofsted report overall, with two areas of work rated “outstanding”. We were re-accredited with the Investors In People award, which we have now held for 10 years.

We attempted to secure more move on accommodation for young people and so we invested in development costs

At a time of public spending cuts and austerity, West London YMCA is not immune from the effects of government actions. We are constantly challenged to do more, with fewer resources. This is hard for our staff who are supporting children and young people whilst under pressure themselves. Yet we are not discouraged, for we have work to do to continue to transform young lives in West London.

Young people’s involvement and opportunities remain a key feature of our work. Our Youth Board has been growing in strength and contributing to strategic planning as well as taking on their own projects. We are working to increase the offer of physical activities and employment and training opportunities for young people.

for potential projects. We explore these opportunities because we recognise the importance of enabling young people to move towards independence. We’re also continuing to invest in our current buildings.

We’re happy with the financial results in a tight financial climate. Our income contracted slightly but our overall financial position remains strong. We use surplus funds to invest in our properties, to respond to unexpected needs or opportunities, and to cover us in more difficult times.

The summary financial information has been extracted from the full audited accounts which were approved on 19 July 2011 and copies of which are available on request from West London YMCA, 45 St Mary’s Road, Ealing W5 5RG. They’re also available on the Charity Commission’s website along with other information about us.

Our goals for the future include:

• Further investment in high quality accommodation and facilities

• Employing more young people and creating apprenticeships and volunteering opportunities

• Creating more opportunities for physical activities

And to do this we will develop new ways to:

• Raise more funds to support the work

• Invest in our staff development and engagement

• Demonstrate the impact of our work on young lives and the difference it makes

Finances

Looking forward

In 2010, West London YMCA celebrated its 140th anniversary. As we look to the future we build on a rich history of working to serve the needs of local children and young people. Right now we’re touching around 1,100 young lives each month.

RENTS

SUPPORTING PEOPLE FUNDING

OTHER GRANTS AND DONATIONS

FEES AND CHARGES

OTHER INCOME

SUPPORTED HOUSING SERVICES

CHILDREN’S AND YOUTH SERVICES

SUPPORT COSTS

GOVERNANCE COSTS

INC

OM

E

EX

PE

ND

ITU

RE

TOTAL: £6,208,622

TOTAL: £6,080,777 SURPLUS FOR THE YEAR £127,845

15West London YMCA Annual Review 10-11

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“It is something that is truly unacceptable in this day and age and in the first world for people to overlook the problem of youth homelessness.”

Glee star Cory Monteith

More than just a song…to a young person with no home, no job, no skills, no hope – we’re the stepping stone they need.Help us transform young lives.

Support us – be our stepping stone

Will pay for one young person to gain a vitally-needed accreditation in “Global Life Skills” that would give them the confidence to live independently and significantly increase their employability prospects

Will pay for up to 40 young people to take part in a sports session that encourages teamwork and builds confidence, self-esteem and communication skills

Will pay for a term’s-worth of Activity Classes for one child living in temporary accommodation that will help them develop their self-confidence, self-esteem, to make new friends and have fun

Will enable our young people to develop and run their own community activity to bring people together

Will pay for running a term’s-worth of Activity Classes for children living in one of our centres that will help them to develop their self-confidence, self-esteem, to make new friends and have fun

Will pay for 12 young people to gain an accreditation in “Global Life Skills” that is a vital stepping stone to achieving their dreams

ANY level of financial support you can offer can and will make a real, practical difference to the lives of the young people we work with.

You can make a donation online at www.westlondonymca.org.uk or by post – please make your cheques payable to “West London YMCA” and send to: Fundraising, 45 St. Mary’s Road W5 5RG.

Please don’t forget to download and complete the simple Gift Aid form from our website - this will increase the value of your donation by at least 25p for every £1 you give at no extra cost to you.

£30

£55

£60

£200

£210

£250

Fun Events Why not consider a fundraising event on behalf of West London YMCA? From running marathons to sponsored rough sleep-outs, our supporters do it all!

What could YOU do? Contact communications@londonymca.org to find out more!

Be a Friend! Why not consider becoming a Friend of West London YMCA by setting up a Standing Order – this will allow you to continue transforming young lives throughout the year, as well as receiving our regular Friends Newsletter. Please contact communications@londonymca.org to find out more.

Learn more Keep in touch with our news via www.westlondonymca.org and for the latest updates, why not join us on Facebook and Twitter.

Help us transform young lives – Your support makes all the difference

Design credit: Photography credit:

www.a2zoom.co.uk