Cheltenham YMCA - Housing Support

Cheltenham YMCA provides supported accommodation for 40 young people aged between 16 and 30 years.

The focus of our support programme is on personal development and providing opportunity for our Residents.

Residents meet with a support worker, on a weekly basis, to work towards their Personal Development Plan, set targets and achieve goals.

The support we provide is designed to develop budgeting, social and independent living skills.  The aim is to help provide young people with the necesssary skills that they may need, not only to live independently, but to live within a community.

Residents are given the opportunity to participate in activities to develop confidence, self-esteem and motivation.  This may include doing some voluntary work, training courses or getting a qualification.

Cheltenham YMCA has close links with local agencies and organisations enabling residents to have access to further opportunities, these include: Gloscol, Young Gloucestershire and other support services such as Connexions, The Independence Trust, E2E training providers, etc.

Cheltenham YMCA also works closely with Cheltenham Borough Council in tackling Youth Homelessness and has established a professional working practice with other providers of supported housing within the town.

Anyone looking to apply for supported housing at Cheltenham YMCA must go through Connexions (for 16-19 year olds) or Citzens Advice Bureau (19-30 year olds).  Suitable applicants will be invited in for an interview to explore their support needs in more depth.  If we can provide the appropriate level of support required, then we will offer accommodation at the YMCA.  In the cases when we cannot offer the appropriate level of support, we will signpost to the appropriate accommodation provider.

Additional opportunities open to our Residents

Moving-on:  YMCA promotes and supports achieving independence for all Residents.  Each Personal Development Plan will focus on positive move on and access to opportunities.

Promoting Fitness and Healthy Lifestyles:  Residents can benefit from access to the sports and fitness activities at Cheltenham YMCA.  This includes recreational sports activities, fitness classes and use of our air-conditioned gym.

Learn and Achieve:  Our Residents will be given opportunities to work towards qualifications and accreditation of their learning and development.  Our programme "Learning Power" is a module-based qualification, based on individual learning styles and abilities.

Making a Difference: Cheltenham YMCA actively promotes voluntary work opportunities to our Residents.  We value voluntary work as a way of engaging young people in the wider community whilst building on personal development and self-esteem.