On a sunny April Saturday Sussex Central YMCA held a Spring Fete up at their Chalkpit Home Store in Mile Oak. The Spring Fete was organised to promote the work of the Home Store that opened in September. The event was a success with a good number of local people coming along to enjoy the lovely weather with their family and friends. 

 

Face painting, bouncy castle and games were organised to entertain children whilst grownups did some shopping. A special pop-up charity shop selling clothes, jewellery and toys proved to be really successful. The Home Store took over £900 on the day. This money will go towards Sussex Central YMCA’s work with children and young people in the local community. 

The Chalkpit Home Store sells good quality second hand furniture and electrical items. The Store also has a special flea market area selling vintage, retro and rare items and bric-a-brac. The Home Store is open for business Monday to Saturday, 9 am – 5 pm.  To continue generating income for the charity The Home Store relays on regular goods donations. If you would like to donate your goods and would like to arrange a collection or just need more information please call 01273 885505 or email homestore@sussexcentralymca.org.uk. 

Photos from the Spring Fete are up on Sussex Central YMCA Facebook page. Please click here to have a look. 

The Chalkpit Home Store Spring FeteThe Chalkpit Home Store Showroom

 

 

 

 

 

2012 has been a year of change for Sussex Central YMCA. The organisation has experienced a significant reduction in government funding and grants. Despite this the YMCA continues to be resourceful in finding new ways to continue providing their essential services across Sussex. A key challenge has been cutting down expenses whilst seeking new business opportunities.

A brighter future for children, young people & families

Providing high quality services continues to be at the heart of everything the charity does. In 2012 8500 people have used Sussex Central YMCA services. Most were young people and children, although counselling and mediation was provided to 1250 parents.

The main aspect of Sussex Central YMCA’s work continues to be providing safe housing to young people in Sussex. Las year the charity provided 251 bed spaces every night to young people who would have otherwise been homeless.

To help it move forward and grow the charity has rewritten its business plan. The core objectives outlined in the business plan will help Sussex Central YMCA to become a stronger, vibrant, sustainable and locally relevant charitable organisation. In 2013 Sussex Central YMCA will continue providing safe, affordable housing and a range of services and activities that improve the lives of young people, children and families in the local community. 

To see our 2011/2012 Financial Review click here.  

 

HCCS has recently merged with Sussex Central YMCA and is now part of Dialogue, Sussex Central YMCA's Family and Therapeutic Services.

 

On 17th June, Barbara Green, the HCCS Co-ordinator, welcomed guests to the newly refurbished HCCS for their open day. The Chief Executive of Sussex Central YMCA, David Standing, spoke and representatives from the local councils and organisations were present, including; Crawley Borough Councillor, Brenda Burgess and Sarah Kane from the Three Oaks Trust, both pictures right. David commented on the organisations delight at merging with HCCS as, "this merger presents us with more opportunities to make a difference to the lives of people in the local community across Sussex."

Set in an old chapel, HCCS has a very calm atmosphere with each room having its own colour theme. HCCS was established over fifteen years ago, to provide accessible and affordable counselling to the local and surrounding community. They have 16 counsellors who have experience helping with a variety of issues. Barbara spoke about how the HCCS  provides “an incredibly beneficial support and counselling service” and how important this service is to local people.

HCCS are an important part of the community and are committed to providing the best services to those who need it. Clients can refer themselves, although HCCS is frequently recommended by GP’s and other health professionals.
In addition, by using the service clients may (according to their financial situation) benefit from reduced cost fees and can be assured that any fees paid are helping to provide counselling for someone else who might otherwise not be able to afford it.

 

 

To find out more about Horsham and Crawley Counselling Service please call 01403 217900 or email hccsdialogue@sussexcentralymca.org.uk or visit the website at www.hcctherapy.org.uk

For any further information on counselling services across Sussex please visit The Dialogue Centre

 

 

The Big Lottery Fund (BIG) has awarded Sussex Central YMCA almost £1 million to help young offenders in Sussex get back on their feet. The awarded grant of £990,615 has been provided to use over 3 years to work specifically with young people leaving young offenders’ institutes to help minimise the risk of re-offending.

Chas Walker, Deputy Chief Executive at Sussex Central YMCA said “This is a unique opportunity for a partnership of statutory and voluntary sector organisations to work together to make a real difference in the lives of young people who find themselves on the wrong side of the law. We’ve already worked on a pilot project in Sussex which saw an almost 40% drop in re-offending rates amongst young people, so we know our approach works.”

Canoeing

 

The project will work with Sussex-based young people aged 15-18 years of age who are about to leave custody and will provide them with individual action plans and activities that will improve their confidence and increase their life skills. A panel of young people will have direct involvement in deciding what activities and services are needed, such as help with accessing employment, education, training, or family support.

John Barradell, Chief Executive at Brighton and Hove City Council, said “Sussex Central YMCA have a track record of delivering innovative services for the benefit of disadvantaged young people, so I am delighted to hear they will be working so closely with our Youth Offending Service to deliver this life-changing project for young offenders. I am confident that this project will deliver results and that we will see a reduction in youth re-offending rates.”Climbing Wall

Peter Evans, West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Children and Families said "I welcome the extra support this funding will provide, because giving young people leaving custody assistance as they move towards independent living can only be of benefit in helping them turn their lives around for the better."

The project will be delivered in partnership with the Youth Offending Teams in Brighton and Hove, East Sussex and West Sussex, and with Eastbourne YMCA and Sussex Nightstop, a charity offering accommodation to homeless young people.

The grant application was written in consultation with young ex-offenders who put forward ideas to make the project relevant to young people about to leave a Young Offenders Institute. John aged 19, from Brighton said: “I wish there was a service like this when I came out of prison when I was 17. I was seriously worried about having nothing to do and nowhere to go. My biggest concern was working things out with my family. It would have been amazing to have support and advice on where to start.”

A week before Christmas 26 young people and their youth workers from Brighton went to Gambia to visit a local school and hospital. The 2010 trip was run by Sussex Central YMCA in partnership with Brighton City College.

 

Brighton students with pupils from Kafuta Lower Basic School A group of students, workers and volunteers from Sussex Central YMCA delivered a range of sporting activities and donated some much needed equipment to the pupils at Kafuta Lower Basic School in Gambia. The school children were taught how to play football, cricket, frisbee and also got involved in multi skills activities. The students and staff members from Brighton City College together with pupils and teachers from Gambia built goals for the football field, shelves for the school library and hung doors in the school building.    

 

 

  Building shelves for the school libaryThe trip not only benefited the school in Gambia but also gave many of the young people from Brighton a life changing experience. Some of them have been excluded from school numerous times but after spending just seven days in Africa and witnessing people’s lifestyle they have changed beyond recognition. Yolandi Taylor who is a Sports Development Manager at Sussex Central YMCA and also the organiser of the Gambia trip said: “It is amazing to see the changes in these young people. They have come back more mature and with a changed attitude towards life and their education. After returning I have received emails from surprised parents and teachers who can not believe the changes they have seen."

Visisting Royal Victoria teaching hospitalThe group also visited two children’s wards at the Royal Victoria teaching hospital in the capital Banjul. It was a breathtaking experience for the young Britons seeing the overcrowded hospital with each bed being shared by two children. This was Kirsty’s first trip to Gambia and she found herself overwhelmed by how people appreciate everything they have and get on with their lives despite the hardships. “Going to the hospital was such an eye opener for me. To see all the sick children who don’t have much but are still smiling and happy.” Brighton visitors gave toys and clothes to the children in the hospital, which were much appreciated by the children and their parents. 

After coming back from Africa all of the Sussex Central YMCA Key Stage 4 students have decided to sponsor a child in Gambia for a year. Only £10 will pay for a school uniform, books and school meals. “The school was unbelievable. I loved it so much and I wish I could sponsor all of them but I am glad I can change one boy’s life,” said Jazz, Key Stage 4 student who went to Gambia for the first time.  

Seeing the obstacles and hardships school children face in Gambia the Brighton students can really appreciate the opportunities they have back here in the UK. When asked what was the biggest eye opener, Jazz said: “The biggest thing was walking around Gambia and seeing their life style. It's so harsh out there and the school is quite basic. Now I really want to go back to college and do well.” 

 

 

Come and support the YMCA runners at the Brighton Marathon taking place on Sunday 10th April 2011. Sussex Central YMCA have recruited 11 brave runners who will be racing round the course to raise money for the work they do with children, young people and families across Sussex.

One of the runners is Max, a 21 year old resident at the Sussex Central YMCA Y Centre in Horsham. The Y Centre is a supported accommodation project that houses 50 young people each night. Max wants to run the Marathon for Sussex Central YMCA to give something back for providing him with a secure home and giving him a chance to get back on track in life.

The Jog Shop in Kemp Town has provided Max with everything a runner needs to train up for the marathon. Most importantly new running shoes and good running clothes that will protect Max from rain and wind as he trains. To help Max kick off his training Performance Foods in Hove have given him a range of different sport supplements to use before, during and after exercising.

Jason Anderton who is an Engagement and Learning Co-ordinator at the Y Centre has been helping Max with his training and will be running the Brighton Marathon along side him for Sussex Central YMCA. Jason says “we are training together once a week but Max goes running regularly on his own. It’s great to see his progress and determination.”

All the runners hard work and training will be worth the effort as the monies raised will go directly towards supporting Sussex Central YMCA projects. The majority of the money raised will go towards their youth advice centre in Moulsecoomb called Safe + Sorted. This project has been running in the local community for the past 6 years and has impacted the lives of hundreds of young people living in the area. Due to funding cuts the project is under threat, but the money you raised will help to keep this vital project in this deprived area open until longer term funding is secured. One of the other projects the marathon money will help is the Give2Gambia project where local young people undergo a life changing experience by taking out much needed sports equipment to schools in Gambia.

Max and the other YMCA Marathon runners need your support. Sponsor them today by visiting their JustGiving pages, click here to sponsor Max or to make general donation to all the runners click here.


You can also cheer the runners on at our designated cheering points on 10th April. The points are at the bottom of Holland Road near the 15 mile mark between 10.30am and 12pm and then across the road at the 25 mile mark between 12pm and 2.30pm.


For more information about the Jog Shop visit their website www.jogshop.co.uk.

For more information about Performance Foods visit their website www.performancefoodsbrighton.co.uk.

 

Following the success of this year’s inaugural Brighton Marathon a date has been set for next year’s race – 10th April 2011. All the individualplaces have sold out, however, Sussex Central YMCA have 12 charity places up for grabs. 

Charity Places

By signing up to run for Sussex Central YMCA you will not only be guaranteed a place to run in the Brighton Marathon but you will also have the opportunity to raise money to support the work we do with disadvantaged children, young people and families across Sussex.

As well as a prize for the top fundraiser we will provide every runner of the Sussex Central YMCA team with: Ian Manwaring

• Fundraising advice and support

• Vest to wear on the day

• Goody bag

• Cheering pack

• Access to the runners charity village at the start and end of the race

Each place costs £50 and runners will need to commit to raising £500 sponsorship money. Places are available on a first come first served basis.

To sign up for the marathon or for more information click here or contact the Communications Team on 01273 222581.

About the Marathon

The Brighton Marathon course is mainly flat and stretches along the seafront and around the town centre. For more information aboutthe race see the official website www.brightonmarathon.co.uk.

Sign up today to guarantee your place!

2010 Marathon Group

Right Here Brighton and Hove is a partnership between Sussex Central YMCA, Mind in Brighton & Hove and the Children and Young People’s Trust. The project works with young people aged 16 to 25 to promote emotional health and wellbeing through a mix of awareness raising campaigns and to build individuals resilience through peer support and activity programmes.

The sessions they are running over the summer include hiking, rock climbing, self defence, stress management and relaxation, and stand up comedy workshops. They are also working on promotional campaigns to de-stigmatise and promote mental health and well-being in young people. A multi-media campaign is being planned which will be aimed at colleges, universities, GP’s surgeries, sports centres and the night-time economy.

The official launch of the project took place on 28th June in Jubilee Square. The day was a great success and was kicked off by Varndean College funk band, the climbing tower had a queue all afternoon and the badge making was extremely popular, even the Mayor wanted to make one! The launch was attended by a mix of professionals, young people and the public who came together to find out about the project.
Badge Making with the Mayor
The BBC came to film the launch and interviewed project volunteers for their online Switch ‘Revealed’ programme, click here to watch it now. You can also see more photos of the day on the Right Here Brighton and Hove Facebook page.  

Right Here would like to thank all volunteers for their hard work in preparing for the launch and running the activities on the day, and also to all staff who supported the event and making it a really successful day.

For more information about the project please contact:
Mark Cull – Project Leader mark.cull@sussexcentralymca.org.uk
Jo Woodhams – Activities Coordinator jo.woodhams@sussexcentralymca.org.uk
Jo Glazebrook – Campaign Coordinator jo.glazebrook@mindcharity.co.uk

 

Have a go at free rock climbing, chill out to some live music, get stuck into some fun activities or grab some great freebies. This and much more will be at the Right Here Brighton and Hove official launch event on Monday 28th June 3pm-6pm in Jubilee Square

Right Here is a youth participation project, led by volunteers aged 16 – 25 to promote the mental and emotional well being of young people in Brighton & Hove.

This groundbreaking project is a partnership between Sussex Right hereCentral YMCA, Mind in Brighton and Hove and the Children & Young Peoples Trust. The partnership was selected to develop one of four pilot projects from across the UK by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation and the Mental Health Foundation.

Right Here work with young people to help them improve their mental and emotional well-being through building on resilience and coping skills through activities. They also aim to raise awareness about mental and emotional health through campaigns to promote well being and to influence the quality of services for young people in the city.

The launch event on Monday is open to everyone including young people, parents/carers, community members and professionals. Come along to find out more about Right Here and meet the staff team, young volunteers, and members of the Youth Panel. There will also be opportunities for young people to sign up for the free activities taking place over the rest of the year.

For more details about Right Here please contact Mark Cull on 01273 222565 or email mark.cull@sussexcentralymca.org.uk. Find us on facebook.