Christmas Joy

I’m donating for the Christmas cards I’ve picked up!

Thank you so much for taking a pack (or packs!) of our fundraising cards, please donate here.

Just so you know (and can tell others)…

All funds raised for the ‘Christmas Joy’ appeal through our Christmas cards, will support the work of One YMCA by:

• Providing essential emotional support and safe places to share for our front-line workers
• Enabling life-changing programmes and residential retreats for people experiencing homelessness
• Equipping our amazing volunteers with training around mental health and listening skills

Thank you for giving generously to this appeal. Every penny makes a difference.

Support the wellbeing of a front-line worker in mind, body & spirit

One YMCA provides specialist support to people experiencing a range of challenges including homelessness, family crisis, sexual violence, domestic abuse and complex mental health. We’re able to do this because of our dedicated and passionate staff like Lauren.

Being there for people and helping them to overcome difficulties and flourish is rewarding. However, it can have an impact and having someone to talk to is vital.

£15 provides an hour’s support session for a front-line worker, boosting their resilience and looking after their wellbeing in mind, body and spirit. This support is available all year round, whether in-person, over the phone or online. Our pastoral support teams also regularly visit Lauren’s workplace too.

Lauren said: “I have received support on a number of occasions and it was a huge help for me.  It was such a relief to know I could speak confidentially to someone, giving me the time and space to talk made a big difference and made me feel like I wasn’t dealing with things on my own.  It gave me a chance to get the thoughts out of my head and start thinking of practical solutions and ways of dealing with issues one by one.  Throughout the process they created a space for me which was non-judgemental and was open for me to come back to as many times as I needed.” 

Equip a volunteer with essential skills around listening, mental health and authentic human connection

People accessing One YMCA’s services really value the care our amazing volunteers bring. Knowing that someone is giving their time and energy to support you communicates personal value and worth in a unique way.

Our volunteers like Gerry, bring so much life experience and professional expertise. We look after them by providing a range of training courses and opportunities. It might be reflecting on how to deepen their authentic human connection with others or how to listen with compassion so that someone experiencing complex challenges flourishes in mind, body and spirit.

Gerry said: “Some people are blessed with the gift of authentic communication. Most of us have to learn to be authentic communicators. This course was an excellent way to learn and has greatly helped the breadth and depth of conversations I have with Hostel Residents. In particular it has provided very useful strategies for initiating conversations. The whole course is really not an invitation to do more, but rather an invitation to pause and to intentionally reflect on what is already being done. New ideas and fresh ways of doing things emerge out of this intentional reflection. The course is recommended without reservation!”