About YMCA Derbyshire

At YMCA Derbyshire we provide a safe and supported place to live for 190 individuals each night who are at risk of homelessness, many of whom arrive at our door with little or no possessions and very much struggling with their mental health. Alongside this we support over 150 students each year through our YMCA Key College; many have low educational attainment, have experienced poverty and require additional support to enable them to succeed within education. To understand a little more about the kind of people we help, here is a case study from one of the young men living with us: Dan arrived at our YMCA in 2019 and we are so proud of the positive journey he has been on during his time with us. When he arrived Dan wasn’t really sure what he wanted to do with his life and had come from quite a chaotic background. Dan progressed through our Young Persons’ Pathway. He was a part of our Foyer where we support young people to realise their assets and talents. Dan has completed courses at YMCA Derbyshire’s Key College and has recently moved onto our Y-Steps programme which provides transitional housing for young people who are entering employment or education. “When I first came to the YMCA I was nervous moving into a new place with all these people around me. I felt scared and alone for the first week but after that I started to relax a bit. Everyone was friendly which took me by surprise - I wasn’t expecting that. The support I had from staff was incredible from when I first moved in – checking on me to see how I was doing, encouraging me to socialise – like family really. I started college about a year after I moved in to YMCA – Level 2 Food Hygiene. I had been volunteering in the kitchen and got my Food Hygiene certificate. I also started helping out with the YMCA burger van. We won some funding for it – it helped a lot. A couple of us started cooking in the kitchen with a staff member and then Supper Club started. This is what made me want to go back to College to study catering again. It rekindled my passion for cooking. I liked YMCA Key College, I learned a lot. It was a great learning atmosphere. It was friendly and I got on with everyone I was learning with. It built my confidence. The course lasted a year – it felt great when I passed. I have managed to get a job at McDonalds and move offsite. I never imagined I would ever be doing anything like this when I first moved in. I’d done nothing with my life - I have managed to turn it around. Without the support and encouragement from people at the YMCA I never would have done it - I would have given up and not shown up or even applied for the job. The YMCA literally turned my life around for the better I would hate to think where I would be if I hadn’t have come here. I’ve put the effort into getting the job and keeping the job – I have every reason to be proud In the future I want a place of my own and I want to progress with my career in catering I can’t wait to see where work takes me. I’m looking forward to it.” Thank you for helping us to change lives by investing in our wishes.

Cause Address	01332550559,Derbyshire,DE24 8UT
Email	catherine.white@ymcaderbyshire.org.uk
Phone Number	770 London Road
Registration Number	1049904
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