Charity Vision

Swansea YMCA is a locally based charity which is passionate about helping young people and the community to build a brighter future. We provide a diverse range of sports, educational and social support services for people of all ages to get the most out of life.

Working in partnership to improve the quality of life for local people, Swansea YMCA provides a varied activity programme ranging from ballet to martial arts, is visited by over 1600 people per week, and houses 6 voluntary sector organisations, providing support services for local people.

Objectives

• To be at the heart of the community
• To create a hub of interaction for all groups within the area
• To encourage participation in arts, well-being, lifelong learning, sports, leisure and general community life for everyone
• An inclusive and comprehensive facility which can accommodate every level of ability
• A vibrant and inspirational piece of architecture which celebrates community
• A supportive environment that cares for the most vulnerable at the centre of the community and helps integrate and include at every level
• Bringing people together by maximising existing facilities and continuously improving and meeting community need

Overview

Swansea YMCA is based in the heart of Swansea city centre on The Kingsway, in a Communities First area, and owns a substantial Grade II listed building offering approximately 3,000m² over four floors. Working in partnership to improve the quality of life for local people, it provides over 30 activities per week ranging from ballet to martial arts, support services including training and employment programmes for NEETs and an economic inactivity project supporting the BME community; is visited by 1,600 per week and currently houses 6 organisations, providing support services for local people.

The YMCA operates seven days a week and delivers a varied programme of services to 1,600 people per week. We have a well established community education programme that focuses on children, young people and adults, which aims to be fully accessible, friendly and affordable.

The main aim of this provision is to work locally to improve people's quality of life through learning and participatory activity that will also impact upon their health and well being. This work has a long tradition at the YMCA and in 2008/09 we provided activity to over 12,000 people in our community education programme alone. Participants range from the age of 3 years to 87.