YMCA Exeter is today celebrating after being awarded almost £9k in National Lottery funding to support its work with children, young people and residents facing mental health concerns.
We will use the money to run further groups and early intervention support to help children and young people build resilience so they can cope during mental health challenges and experience fullness of life in the future.
YMCA Exeter has been running since 1846. It was founded by John Dinham who was inspired by the national YMCA movement and committed to create supportive, inclusive and energising communities where all young people can truly belong, contribute and thrive.
We now provide supported accommodation for over 80 young people coming out of homelessness every year, along with socially distanced support activities; wellbeing, emotional resilience and anger management courses to ensure young people can develop to their full potential in body, mind and spirit.
The new funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, which distributes money raised by National Lottery players for good causes and is the largest community funder in the UK, will enable YMCA Exeter’s wellbeing provision to increase, especially through further one to one activities – reaching even more children and young people.
At the same time, we will be able to provide further online training for staff, ensuring that each young person receives the very best support possible during these difficult times.
Gareth Sorsby, YMCA Exeter Joint CEO, says:
“We’re delighted that The National Lottery Community Fund has recognised our work in this way. Now, thanks to National Lottery players we will be able to increase our work to support children and young people so that they can truly belong, contribute and thrive in energising communities.”
For media information:
Contact Lucy Pieterse, lucy.pieterse@ymcaexeter.org.uk, 01392 410530.
