Sutton Coldfield celebrates 180 years of YMCA movement
YMCA Sutton Coldfield marked Founders Day by celebrating 180 years of the YMCA movement.
Created from humble beginnings in nineteenth century London, 22-year-old draper George Williams joined forces with a group of friends to organise the first Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA), a refuge of Bible study and prayer for young men seeking escape from the hazards of life on the streets of London.
And 180 years on, YMCA has grown to serve more than 65 million people across 120 countries, regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation or socio-economic background.
YMCA is the world’s largest and oldest charity working with young people and their communities.
YMCA Sutton Coldfield has been around for more than 100 years.
Each year its supports around 800 young people and adults through various services, including housing, support for young carers, youth work and disability.
All YMCAs are independent and responsible for generating their own funds.
YMCA Sutton Coldfield marked the occasion of Founders Day by inviting the community to celebrate with them.
Recently-completed renovation work was also unveiled.
Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust funded extensive work to The Lodge including replacing its roof and widening the doorway at the top of the ramp for wheelchair access.
The Youth Work room and the ‘Pod’ have been redecorated to create modern youth work spaces including a gaming area and dedicated podcast space funded by Comic Relief.
The Sensory room has been updated following a donation from parents of young people using the services.
The resident’s kitchen was refurbished by a group of volunteers led by Clare Whalley of Meta4 Business Coaching.
Rachel Dutta Choudhury, bid writing, fundraising and development manager at YMCA Sutton Coldfield, said: “We are so grateful for the support of our funders and the community.
“Being able to update our facilities makes such a difference to the young people we work with.”
Pictured: The YMCA Sutton Coldfield team
