Search Website
Close
-
Who we are
-
What we do
-
Get Involved
-
Who we are
-
What we do
-
Get Involved
-
Who we are
-
What we do
-
Get Involved
-
Who we are
-
What we do
-
Get Involved
About Us
About
YMCA believes in fairness and opportunity.
There are essential building blocks for a full and rewarding life:ย
A safe home; acceptance; guidance; friendship; physical and mental health; academic support; employment skills; and access to real opportunities.
Many young people have never known these things; other people have lost one or more as they grew up, but we all need them.
All of us. At YMCA, we provide these critical foundations for a fresh, strong start for young people and a better quality of life in the community.
Close
YMCA Cheshire prevents homelessness by responding to local need. We creatively invest in the lives of young people and the community through all our projects, including housing, learning, family support, working with children, and our three social enterprise schemes.
Our Vision
Our vision is to build better lives and better futures for young people and communities.
by beginning the end of the homeless experience, one person at a time
by working with the assets of young people making transitions to independence as they make the transition to independence
by engaging and supporting children and families and staying connected in the places they live
Our Values
We believe that each person has unique potential and skills to be explored and developed.
We will embed this belief in our work with people, staff and volunteers.
We believe that a โcan doโ approach is critical for facilitating change in the lives of young people.
We will foster and nurture this attitude in our work with young people, staff and volunteers
We believe in the Christian basis and mission of the YMCA.
We will seek to exemplify and embed Christian ethos in our organisational practice in all we do.
YMCA Cheshire through the years
1980s
After a massive two-year re-design programme, the derelict Engine Drivers Hostel on Gresty Road opened as the โTwo Ways Crewe YMCAโ on 4th November 1984. Over the years, we have operated under a variety of names, including Foyer@189, Crewe YMCA, YMCA Crewe. In 2024, YMCA Crewe became YMCA Cheshire, reflecting both our ambition to grow our services in impact and geographical spread, and the introduction of new services in the North of Cheshire East, under the name โYMCA Macclesfieldโ. As we look to the future, we are planning expansions into new mental health, community, housing, and partnership work, all in line with our Organisational Strategy.
2000s
From the start, we provided high quality accommodation for young professionals, along with students from the nearby Manchester Metropolitan University and a smaller number of people who were experiencing homelessness.
As the years went by, we responded to the growing number of people who needed immediate accommodation. Changes in funding streams, government policy and local need mean that today YMCA Cheshire is one of the largest providers of supported accommodation in Cheshire East.
2010s
In 2010, we benefited from circa. ยฃ6,000,000 to rebuild the site at Gresty Road. Funding was through the national Places of Change fund. The original brick frontage of the building was maintained, but everything behind was demolished and rebuilt.
75 single rooms with shared facilities became 55 ensuite single rooms, half of which with their own kitchen.
2020s
In addition to housing 200 people in our own accommodation every year, our services have expanded to include specialist services –
-
Care leavers
-
Unaccompanied Children Seeking Asylum Community provision
-
Children’s clubs, Parenting groups, Support and advice sessions
-
Holiday activities
-
and more
Today
This year we officially opened three blocks of accommodation at our Valley Brook campus. We are able to provide a fresh start to 60 individuals experiencing homelessness.
Get involved
We value all contributions to our mission to create better lives and futures for people and communities, whether that is time, goods, money, or starting your career with us.
Close