About Us

About us

YMCA is the largest and oldest charity working with young people in the world. Across England there are 114 YMCAs. Each one is a thriving and active community – community that is transforming lives.

Our Work

At Thames Gateway Group we work in many diverse areas: Supported & Move-on Housing; Health & Wellbeing programmes and activities; Childcare, Youth & Family work; as well as delivering multiple community outreach programmes.

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The number of people homeless in England is predicted to jump by a third by 2024 as councils warn of a “tidal wave” of need caused by benefits freezes, soaring food and energy bills and the end of Covid eviction bans.

The Guardian

Our Focus

We focus on young people and help them play an active and fulfilling role within their communities. We call this a youth-minded community approach.

We are proud of our Christian heritage and ethos. We are an inclusive Christian movement transforming communities. We provide a wide array of community-based activities and services to help meet local needs wherever we are based.

Youth Focus

YMCA believes in fairness and opportunity. There are essential building blocks for a full and rewarding life: a safe home; acceptance; guidance; friendship; physical and mental health; academic support; employment skills; and access to real opportunities.

Many young people have never known these things; other people have lost one or more as they grew up, but we all need them. All of us. At YMCA, we provide these critical foundations for a fresh, strong start for young people and a better quality of life in the community.

In 2021

122,000

young people were homeless in the UK

There was a

20% percent

rise in homelessness in the East of England in 2018 – 20

Councils saw a

78% percent

increase since the start of the pandemic

Regulations

YMCA Thames Gateway Group is regulated by Ofsted for its Children’s Services work and, as a Registered Provider, we are responsible to the Regulator of Social Housing for our accommodation work. We are also regulated by the Charity Commission as a registered charity and by Companies House.

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Safeguarding

We are serious about our safeguarding and are committed to protecting the welfare of all children, young people and those adults that may be at risk of harm, as they participate in our services or activities.

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Our Vision

The vision of YMCA is of an inclusive Christian movement, transforming communities so that all young people can belong, contribute and thrive.

Our Values

We welcome

We offer people the space they need to feel secure, respected, heard and valued; and we always protect, trust, hope and persevere.

We seek out

We actively look for opportunities to make a transformative impact on young lives in the communities where we work, and believe that every person is of equal value.

We inspire

We strive to inspire each person we meet to nurture their body, mind and spirit, and to realise their full potential in all they do.

We serve others

We are committed to the wellbeing of the communities we serve and believe in the positive benefit of participation, locally and in the wider world.

We speak out

We stand up for young people, speak out on issues that affect their lives, and help them to find confidence in their lives, and help them to find confidence in their own voice.

Volunteer at YMCA

We have a wide range of volunteering opportunities at the YMCA.

Whatever hours you have to spare, we would be delighted to hear from you.

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