inspirit
and support Team YMCA
Learn to dwell in
the uncomfortable
By Pip Wilson, trainer and group worker
Growth does not reside in a place called comfortable
Human development does not reside in a place called certainty
Wholeness does not reside in a place called self
Freedom does not reside in a place called security
There’s something rich about being poor. That sort
of thing was said of the Master, who humans with
a Christian faith – like myself – in our stumbling
fumbling way, decided to follow. They said of
him: ‘He who was rich became poor.’
How about applying that next time you are in
a crowded room? Choose to talk with the least
attractive human rather than crowding around
the current YMCA personality?
We’ve all heard about stepping outside our comfort
zones. And I don’t doubt you step outside them in
your day-to-day work. How about considering
deliberately stepping outside them?
Choose to sit close to someone who is scary, loud,
noisy, or smelly... Not oppressively close, but close
enough that some words may be naturally
exchanged. Hope that a better relationship may
develop and, more importantly maybe, that you
may learn...
I leave you with a blessing. To read it is to reside
in a place called comfortable. To absorb it is to daily
refresh your irritation:
May God bless you with discomfort
At easy answers, half truths and superficial
relationships,
So that you may live deep within your heart
inthefuture
intouch
The next issue of intouch, out
in July, will feature a review of
YMCA National Assembly 2008.
Please send any events,
news items or feedback (clearly
marked ‘for publication’) to:
peter.shaw@england.ymca.org.uk
– 020 7061 3337
National Council of Young Men’s Christian Associations (Incorporated). A Limited Company registered in London no. 73749.
Registered office: 640 Forest Road, London E17 3DZ. Charity no. 212810. www.ymca.org.uk
intouch • APRIL 2008
ABOVE: Blob Journey by Ian Long and Pip Wilson
May God bless you with anger
At injustice, oppression and exploitation of people,
So that you may work for justice, freedom and peace.
May God bless you with tears
To shed for those who suffer pain, rejection,
hunger and war,
So that you may reach out your hand to comfort
and To turn their pain into joy.
And may God bless you with enough foolishness
To believe that you can make a difference in the world,
So you can do what others claim cannot be done
To bring justice and kindness to all our children and
the poor
Uncomfortable is a healthy place to reside.
pip@pipwilson.com
www.pipwilson.com
If you’d like to contribute to our back
page inspirit reflection contact
peter.shaw@england.ymca.org.uk
YMCA England contacts
Communications: 53 Parker Street, London, WC2B 5PT – 0845 873 6633
Dunford House: Dunford, Midhurst, West Sussex, GU29 0DG
Finance: 640 Forest Road, London E17 3DZ – 020 8520 5599
Fundraising: 53 Parker Street, London, WC2B 5PT – 0845 873 6633
Housing: Colman House, Station Road, Knowle,
West Midlands B93 0HL – 01564 730 229
Human Resources: 640 Forest Road, London E17 3DZ – 020 8520 5599
Insync Standards: Armstrong House, 4/6 The Finningley Estate, Hayfield Lane,
Doncaster DN9 3GA – 01302 623 066
Lakeside National Centre: Newby Bridge, Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 8BD
Offender services unit: c/o Craven YMCA, Pinder House, Skipton,
North Yorkshire BD23 2NS – 01756 709 566
Shops: Unit 2, Malvern View Business Park, Bishops Cleeve,
Cheltenham GL52 7DQ – 01242 677690
Sport, Health, Exercise and Fitness unit: 53 Parker Street,
London, WC2B 5PT – 0845 873 6633
Working with young people unit: 53 Parker Street, London, WC2B 5PT – 07801 659264
8 intouch
Join the fun at the Great North Run
Find out more on page 7
intouch
APRIL 2008
Funding to promote
NEWSLETTER FOR THE YMCA IN ENGLAND
excellence in youth work
The YMCA’s successful Aim High project – which helps YMCAs
to work more effectively with young people – has been awarded
£448,000 over three years to develop a regional support scheme.
The funding from the Department for Children, Schools and Families ABOVE: Youth work at Kingson
(DCSF) is to set up an Aim High Regional Franchise. This will offer and Wimbledon YMCA.
support and training to staff and volunteers that work with young
people at 45 YMCAs. and to promote and support the
Youth work development adviser Alison Dean said: ‘We are YMCA’s youth work Insync standards.
delighted that the DCSF continues to endorse Aim High. This project The franchise aims to result in more
offers better career development to YMCA workers and better confident and skilled youth workers with
programmes for young people – it’s a real win-win!’ greater support, a higher standard of
Aim High Regional Franchise was developed after a consultation youth work across the YMCA, and better
found that YMCAs prefer youth work standards to be achieved youth programmes for more than
through continuous development with regional support. The results 5,000 young people.
of the external evaluation have been compiled as report, Aim High If you are interested in becoming a
05-08, which will be available in July 2008. paid part-time regional mentor, or if
The 45 YMCAs will be given professional development tools, advice you want to be one of the 45 YMCAs
and funds to support 135 youth workers or volunteers, who will to benefit from the scheme contact
receive accredited training. The funding will also be used to train 18 Alison Dean on 07801 659 264 or
part-time regional peer mentors who will be seconded to YMCAs, alison.dean@england.ymca.org.uk
More youth work training for young people
The Princes Trust has won funding to continue Youth Steps, for which the YMCA
is a national delivery partner. Youth Steps is a training programme for young
people who want to take a first step to become a youth worker, particularly those
who have few qualifications or reduced employment prospects.
‘With this successful bid, YMCA England can continue to be a lead partner in Youth
Steps,’ added Alison. ‘The scheme offers young people an amazing opportunity to take
their first steps to a career in working with young people.’
If you have young people aged 17 to 25 interested in a career in youth work contact Alison
Dean (details above). Youth Steps offers accredited training to VRQ level 1 in Youth Work.
www.ymca.org.uk/youthsteps ABOVE: Training at St Helens YMCA
inside: Thousands confirmed for YMCA Europe festival • Supporters’ hope for young
offenders • Updates from around YMCA England • Learn to dwell in the uncomfortable
• Young people get active in politics • Summer garden party for YMCA supporters
introducing involved

Calling all new readers Thousands confirmed

If you are reading this for the first time, it’s possibly because you’ve picked
one up in your National Assembly welcome bag. And if you’re wondering what
intouch is, it’s the newsletter for the YMCA in England – offering news, updates
and opportunities for all YMCA staff and volunteers. To join our mailing list and
receive a copy every four months email: peter.shaw@england.ymca.org.uk
Hope you enjoy the read!
Peter Shaw, editor
inprofile
Anjan Mukherjee
for YMCA Europe festival
At the start of February more than 5,000 people had signed up
to take part in YMCA Europe 2008. This includes over 400
registrations from YMCAs in England.
YMCA Europe, which takes place in Prague from 3 to 9 August,
promises to be the largest YMCA youth festival in Europe. The first
festival took place in 2003, and the organisers are looking to double
the number of young people taking part to 10,000.
With tickets selling fast they are over halfway to achieving that
figure. So don’t miss out on your place, for details of how to book
contact Ken Montgomery on ken.montgomery@england.ymca.org.uk
or 01325 364690
ABOVE: Pulz

General Secretary of the YMCA Indian Student Hostel

A veteran of the YMCA for 35 years, Anjay first encountered the movement
in 1973, when he joined the YMCA in Calcutta – rising to become general
secretary in 1998. After serving for three years he joined the YMCA India
national offices in Delhi.
The YMCA Indian Student Hostel is one of YMCA India’s nine national development projects. Launched in 1920,
the hostel welcomes Indian students studying in the capital, is a cultural centre and conference facility. Anjay
joined the YMCA Indian Student Hostel in 2007, and will serve as general secretary for three years.
Why did you choose to come to live in London?
My passage to the UK began in 1982 when I visited at the invitation of the YMCA in Portsmouth. I came back
in 1986 to visit YMCAs in Wales for a three-month study tour. I also completed a professional course with the
YMCA George Williams College.
What do you enjoy about visiting England?
I owe a lot to England, when I first visited my eyes were opened to the wide variety of opportunities the YMCA
in England offers. I also enjoy the culture. I’m fond of old castles, cathedrals, monasteries and abbeys. I have
fantastic friends here and I enjoy of theatre, particularly Shakespeare’s plays.
What links are there between YMCAs in the UK and India?
Calcutta YMCA and Swansea YMCA were twinned. We started what we called the International Work Camp in
1985. A lot of people became YMCA leaders and volunteers through the work camp programme. One of these
was a very good friend of mine, David Bedford [now chair of YMCA England’s National Board]. We recently
caught up after nearly 20 years.
Bands, artists and performers...
The festival will feature a packed programme of arts, music, worship and speakers. A number of top-
name artists and performers from across Europe and beyond have been confirmed to perform in Prague.
From the UK is DJ Mark Hill, who co-founded Artful Dodger in the late nineties and wrote hit garage tracks
such as Rewind, Woman Trouble and Moving Too Fast. He co-wrote and produced Craig David’s hit debut
album, the multi-award winning Born to Do It. He has had more than 20 UK top 20 hits, two number ones and
amassed over 15 million sales worldwide. As well as performing at the festival, Mark will run DJing workshops.
From Malta comes singer/songwriter Ira Losco. Ira and her band have performed to sold-out audiences for
the past two years. She has played support to international stars like Katie Melua, Elton John, Akon, Enrique
Iglesias, Maroon 5, Ronan Keating, Bob Geldof and Mel C.
Pulz are a rock band from Switzerland that have close connections with YMCA projects in their home country
as well as in Belarus. Winners of several awards, Pulz recently won a Swiss battle of the bands competition.
With their infectious gospel mix of funk, soul, R&B and traditional Nigerian rhythms, UK-based Four Kornerz
take their audience on a musical journey to the ends of the world. Nominated for various awards, the band
recently won Best Gospel Album at the 2007 Christian Broadcast Council Awards.
Also performing on various stages will be young people from the many YMCA Ten Sing groups from across
Europe. Other programme activities including speakers, workshops, drama and more performers will be
announced regularly in the weeks leading up to the festival.
www.ymca2008.com

What can the YMCA in India offer to young people in England now?
You have to understand why they do what they do. Young people have often had such bitter experiences in
their families, which has left a scar in them. There’s a lot of emptiness in their lives. We at the YMCA of India
would love to help in any way we can to show them the alternative path of peace and reconciliation.

Learn more about the current activities and history of the YMCA Indian Student Hostel here:
www.indianymca.org

CONTENTS:
3 PRAGUE 2008 UPDATE
4 UPDATES FROM AROUND YMCA ENGLAND
5 FUNDRAISING EVENT
6 UPDATES FROM YMCA ENGLAND DESIGNED AND PRODUCED BY:
YMCA England Movement Communications
7 EVENTS AND MEETINGS 53 Parker Street, London WC2B 5PT
T 0845 873 6633 F 0845 873 6644
8 REFLECTION AND CONTACTS intouch • APRIL 2008 ABOVE: DJ Mark Hill ABOVE: Four Kornerz

intouch • APRIL 2008 2 3 intouch • APRIL 2008

inandaround
DIRECT MARKETING
Young people get active in politics
By Zoe Harris, participation project coordinator
More than 140 young people came to Claim Your
Voice events in its first year, and we are looking
for more YMCAs to take part in 2008.
The project now operates in the Midlands, South
West and North West regions. We are looking for more
young people in those areas to sign up for free training
residentials, which will take place in May and June
2008. Places are limited so please book soon.
Young people who participated in the project in 2007
went on to host events attended by MPs and represent-
atives from the police, Racial Equality and local council.
Claim Your Voice is a three-year Electoral
Commission funded project that aims to increase the
political participation of young people aged 16 to 25
who are involved with local YMCAs. The project offers
young people the opportunity to get involved through
training residentials, local events and workshops.
If you are interested and would like to find out more,
please contact me: zoe.harris@england.ymca.org.uk
or 020 7061 3325. www.claimyourvoice.org.uk
DIRECT MARKETING
Supporters’ hope
for young offenders
By Rajesh Bhayani,
head of direct marketing and legacies
We’ve been busy over the last few months
raising awareness of the work of the YMCA, and
celebrating its achievements. Homelessness is still
a key focus for appeals, but recent communication
with existing and potential supporters has
highlighted our work in prisons and Step-In
youth homelessness project.
Last September we wrote to supporters asking their
views on young people and offending behaviour. The
response was very positive in terms of both quantity
and quality. We received
more than 2,000 responses,
with the great majority of
supporters expressing
optimism about the future
prospects of young ex-
offenders. See the chart,
right, for details.
Recently we also expanded
our FreshStart supporter
newsletter, allowing us to
share more YMCA stories
with supporters. The March
2008 issue features
ABOVE: FreshStart newsletter
intouch • APRIL 2008
ABOVE: Southampton YMCA Claim Your Voice team
selected highlights from YMCAs across the country
including Sunderland, Guildford and Eastbourne.
To order your copy contact
Charlene Vallory, direct marketing officer,
on charlene.vallory@england.ymca.org.uk
or 020 7061 3331.
RoomSponsor reaction
We have received more than 160 letters from
supporters in response to our January RoomSponsors
update. Updates are sent quarterly and include
personal letters from RoomSponsor residents.
Here’s an extract from a letter received from a supporter
in response to a progress update from Oliver, the young
person she supports through monthly donations:
‘I was thrilled to learn how Oliver has continued
to develop and grow in confidence, and is clearly
determined to make the most of all the opportunities
with which he has been provided. I express my
admiration for all that you do to enhance the lives
of the young people who come to you for help.
I’m delighted to be associated with it.’
SUPPORTER SURVEY :
Young people and offending
With the right support, do you believe a young person that
has committed a crime can turn their life around?
82% agreed – 3% disagreed
By addressing young people’s spiritual and physical needs
are vulnerable young people less likely to turn to crime?
68% agreed – 4% disagreed
Did you know that YMCA work with young offenders
significantly reduces re-offending? 37% said yes
4 5
involved
‘‘ ’’
OFFENDERS SERVICES
The clubs seek to re-engage
Pilot project gives and motivate young people.
hope to young The group set their own ground rules and timetable,
people in prison and chose the topics they wanted to look at. Although
initially wary of each other, by the end of the six weeks
By Calum Thornton, project worker they worked well as a group – supporting and looking
out for each other.
We recently ran a successful pilot xl club at Her Working toward their bronze ASDAN award, the
Majesty’s Young Offenders Institute Wetherby group decided to design a leaflet for young people
in West Yorkshire. The pilot was the first xl club new to the prison system. The excellent user-friendly
to have been successfully run in a secure introduction was taken up by the induction staff at
establishment. Wetherby, which they now hand out to new inmates.
Prince’s Trust xl clubs target young people facing Over the weeks I learnt a lot about the young people.
difficulties in education. Deliberately informal, the clubs They were fun to be with and worked hard – nothing like
seek to re-engage and motivate young people. Club the bad stories I’d heard from other areas of the prison.
members learn to take responsibility, develop social Those that are still here when the next course starts
skills and enjoy the benefits of teamwork. want to take their silver ASDAN award.
Out of 16 young people identified as individuals who Staff from YMCA England’s Offenders Services Unit
could benefit from the course, eight were selected to will be at National Assembly in April, and we are happy
take part. All but two of the group stayed on until the to talk about our work and how your YMCA can get
end, one of these was released early and the other involved. Look out for the team at coffee breaks!
transferred to another institute. www.prisonsunit.ymca.org.uk
EXTENDED SERVICES
Partnership is key to
extended services
By Joy Namayanja, extended services advisor
The first meeting of the extended services
reference group took place in February. Made
up of representatives from YMCAs, 4Children,
ContinYou and statutory organisations, the group
made excellent progress.
Discussions on the day concentrated on the
challenge of designing sustainable extended service
programmes – and we also looked at what support
YMCAs need to address these challenges.
The group felt that:
• It is vital to establish trust between school
management teams and YMCAs
• YMCAs must identify the unique selling points that
make them best suited to providing extended
services ABOVE: After school activities at West Bromwich YMCA
• YMCAs must be strategically placed to contribute
fully to the development of activities and services The main conclusion drawn at the meeting was
how important it is to build relationships and work in
• YMCAs must form partnerships with key players
partnership with key organisations, such as schools.
to identify gaps in provision
• Head teachers will always want evidence of
how extended services will impact on meeting Coming soon – the full results of a mapping
their targets exercise undertaken into existing YMCA
provision of extended services.
intouch • APRIL 2008
inandaround intime

Summer garden party for YMCA supporters Conferences and events

By Jenny Collins, major gifts officer
YMCA England is holding a garden
party in Richmond upon Thames,
Surrey, to celebrate the YMCA’s
work with young people. The event,
hosted by supporters Baron and
Baroness van Dedem, takes place on
Sunday 15 June from 14.00 to 17.00.
Among the activities will be
performances from young people, local
jazz musicians and a chance to drink
tea from a lovingly refurbished wartime
YMCA Tea Car, which will be making a
special appearance.
Guests will also have the opportunity
to learn about some of the rich history
of the area, which dates back to Tudor
times. The magnificent Richmond
Palace once stood on the grounds
and its original gatehouse still exists.
We’re keen to get lots of young
people involved in the event. In
particular we are looking for gifted
musicians or dance groups to perform,
as well as volunteers to help the day
run smoothly. So, if you’d like a great
day out and the chance to show off
your skills please contact me.
Alternatively, if you’d simply like
to come along, tickets cost £5 and
include a soft drink and cake. For more
HOUSING UNIT
30 Apr-4 May YMCA Europe General Assembly 2008
YMCA Europe Training Centre, Litomysl, Czech Republic
‘Lost in Translation?’ how YMCAs across Europe can be one
www.ymcaeurope.com
27-30 Jun Young Carers Festival
YMCA Fairthorne Manor, Curdridge, Southampton
The biggest gathering of young carers in the world
Peter Cooper – 01489 785228
22-25 Aug Greenbelt 2008 – ‘rising sun’
Cheltenham Racecourse
Find a line-up of top bands, speakers and performers at this Christian arts festival
www.greenbelt.org.uk
21 Nov Y Fest: a national festival
Bethel Convention Centre, West Bromwich
Celebrating the YMCA in England: who we are, and who we can be
jim.jenkinson@england.ymca.org.uk
Great North
runners required!
By Sarada Chaudhuri, trust fundraiser
ABOVE: YMCA Garden Party venue
Last year’s Great North Run raised over £5,000 for
details on how to take part, or book your ticket contact me the YMCA, and you can help us to top that in 2008!
on jenny.collins@england.ymca.org.uk or 020 7061 3327. YMCA England has 20 places in the world’s biggest
All money raised will go towards the YMCA Step-In Project, half-marathon on Sunday 5 October.
which tackles the root causes of homelessness, particularly The 13.1-mile course across the North East
among those aged 16 and 17. You can learn more about the from Newcastle to South Shields, takes in famous
big impact Step-In is making in the progress report below. landmarks such as the Tyne Bridge and the Gateshead
Stadium. Although challenging, you will be raising
money for young people across England. The day
promises to be great fun too.
We offer an excellent package of fundraising, training

Making a big difference advice and support, contact with other runners, a free
running vest and more. In return we ask for a minimum ABOVE: Great North Runners, Clare Joof, Roger Lewis
and Laura MacDonald
to young homeless people sponsorship of £300, and a firm commitment
to training to complete the race.
To take part in this year’s run contact me on
By Emily Petheram, Step-In project coordinator Step-In stats sarada.chaudhuri@england.ymca.org.uk
YMCA meetings
15 Apr Constitution committee
or 020 7061 3344.
24 Apr Pensions directors
Our Step-In project to tackle homelessness among 16 to 17 Young people aged 16 and 17...
26 Apr National board of trustees
year olds is progressing well, with 11 staff members working London Marathon volunteers needed
...given a safe place to live 28
in six areas. The project is making a real difference in the lives It’s nearly time for the London Marathon, Sunday 08 May Development and housing committee
of young people, rebuilding relationships with friends and ...back in contact with family 9
13 April, when tens of thousands of people will take 14 May Regional Executive Officers
24-hour meeting
families. In many cases the young person has successfully to the streets to raise money for charity. A team of
returned to their family home, or been given help to find safe ...returned to family home 7 27 YMCA runners will take part, many representing 20 May Standards steering group
accommodation. their YMCA. 21 May South East regional committee
We are organising the first placements with supported lodgings ...learnt about the reality We are looking for volunteers to help us on the day, 22 May Regional chairs
schemes – a great example of YMCAs and hosts working together of homelessness 224 cheering on our runners at our base in Greenwich, 03 Jun Southern regional committee
to help young people rebuild their lives. and meeting and greeting the team at the post-race 05 Jun South West regional executive
More lodgings for young people…
Through Step-In, we have learnt many lessons about youth hospitality. If you can give just a few hours to support 09 Jun Constitution committee/
homelessness and how to develop a realistic and achievable More beds available for young people 18 our wonderful YMCA runners, contact me on the North West regional committee
response to the problem. As the schemes flourish, we expect details above. Good luck to Team YMCA on the 13th! 10 Jun Movement trust fund
the project’s performance to continue to improve and both Community host places offered 6 www.ymca.org.uk/londonmarathon 12 Jun Finance committee
professionals and young people experience more positive results. 17 Jun North East regional executive
For further updates and progress reports visit Partner organisations helped to
19 Jun Employment committee
develop youth homeless services 120
www.communities.gov.uk/youthhomelessness or contact 25 Jun Yorkshire and North East Lincolnshire
me emily.petheram@england.ymca.org.uk for details. regional executive

intouch • APRIL 2008 6 7 intouch • APRIL 2008