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.

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.

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.

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.

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. Read more about our Quality Standards.

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. Read more about safeguarding.

Our Vision

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

Our Values

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 welcome

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

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.

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 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.