YMCA Leicestershire

YMCA Leicestershire Everyone should have a fair chance - Changing young peoples lives for over 140 years in Leicestershire. The Y works with homeless young people in Leicester.

Too many of them are living traumatic lives and experiencing family breakdown, bereavement, depression or abuse. With your support we can offer them a safe place to call home and help them create a positive future for themselves. The Y is a diverse community organisation whose mission is to empower young people to achieve skills and independence through access to supported accommodation, advice, e

ducation, sports and arts. We also provide support to homeless adults from The Y Support Project and offer enriching activities through The Y Theatre and creative arts programmes.

Everyone should have a fair chance to discover who they are and what they can become.That belief sits at the heart of ev...
26/06/2026

Everyone should have a fair chance to discover who they are and what they can become.

That belief sits at the heart of everything YMCA Leicestershire does. A safe home, genuine support, friendship, opportunity and the chance to build a future because these aren’t extras. They are the things every person needs, and that too many young people in our community have never had.

We are here to change that. If you would like to be part of it, visit our website using the link in bio.

For the past four weeks, our kitchen has been one of the best places to be at YMCA Leicestershire.Our Cooking on a Budge...
24/06/2026

For the past four weeks, our kitchen has been one of the best places to be at YMCA Leicestershire.

Our Cooking on a Budget and Savvy Shopping course, led by Gianluca and Kathryn from the Leicester City team, has been giving young people the tools to plan meals, shop smartly and cook great food without spending a fortune. Every Tuesday has brought new skills, shared meals and some genuinely impressive cooking from people who surprised even themselves.

These are not just cooking skills but the kind of practical, everyday capabilities that make independent living feel possible. Thank you to Gianluca and Kathryn for making every session so enjoyable, and for investing your time and energy in our young people. It also helps that the sessions are yummy too!

Our bees have arrived!We now have two hives in the YMCA Leicestershire garden, one belongs to Montrose Primary School an...
22/06/2026

Our bees have arrived!

We now have two hives in the YMCA Leicestershire garden, one belongs to Montrose Primary School and one is ours. Staff and residents worked together to carefully transfer the bees into what we hope will be their permanent home.

They're tucked safely out of the way so as long as we don't disturb them, they won't disturb us. We can't wait to watch them thrive and help our garden flourish!

Who knew wool could be this good for the soul?Recently, our residents had the chance to try something completely new, wh...
17/06/2026

Who knew wool could be this good for the soul?

Recently, our residents had the chance to try something completely new, when Louise from Art and Minds came in to run a needle felting workshop. It was a session full of concentration, laughter and genuine creativity, as participants transformed soft wool into their own unique pieces of art.

There was something quietly powerful about the afternoon. Slowing down, focusing on something with your hands, and watching something take shape in front of you. By the end, there were some genuinely impressive creations and more than a few people who had surprised themselves.

Thank you to Louise for bringing her skills, warmth and encouragement to our young people. Find out more by searching Louise Stone Art and Minds.

"YMCA is like family" is one of the things we hear from young people that stay with us.For residents at our Move On Hous...
15/06/2026

"YMCA is like family" is one of the things we hear from young people that stay with us.

For residents at our Move On House, YMCA Leicestershire has been more than a place to sleep. It has been the place where they found their footing, built their confidence and began to believe in what comes next. Knowing that young people leave feeling that way makes every part of this work worthwhile.

If you would like to be part of that, visit our website using the link in bio to learn more.

Last month, our team came together for a staff away day to reflect on where we are, share ideas and think carefully abou...
12/06/2026

Last month, our team came together for a staff away day to reflect on where we are, share ideas and think carefully about the future direction of YMCA Leicestershire.

It was a day of open conversations, honest reflection and genuine collaboration across the organisation. Moments like this matter. The people in that room are the reason our mission, to create supportive and inspiring places where young people and communities can belong, contribute and thrive, becomes a reality every single day.

Thank you to everyone who brought their energy and ideas. The future of this organisation is being shaped by people who truly care.

There is something happening in the Aylestone garden that goes well beyond vegetables!Each week, volunteers from The Con...
10/06/2026

There is something happening in the Aylestone garden that goes well beyond vegetables!

Each week, volunteers from The Conservation Volunteers have been visiting our young people to run their Learning to Grow course, led by Donna and Izzy. Residents have been getting their hands in the soil, planting beans, onions, potatoes and carrots, getting to grips with composting, and gradually building the skills and confidence to manage their own growing spaces.

If all goes to plan, there is a bumper crop of fresh, home-grown produce on the way later this year.

A big thank you to Donna and Izzy, The Conservation Volunteers and Leicester City Council for their continued support. You are helping grow a lot more than food!

Words like these are a reminder of why this work matters so much.At YMCA Leicestershire, we work with kindness and integ...
08/06/2026

Words like these are a reminder of why this work matters so much.

At YMCA Leicestershire, we work with kindness and integrity so that everyone who comes through our doors feels secure, respected and heard. For many of the young people who arrive with us, it is the first time they have ever felt truly safe. That is not something we take lightly.

If you would like to support the work that makes moments like this possible, visit our website using the link in our bio.

Breaking fast together is about more than food. It’s about connection, belonging, and community 🌙✨Hosting an iftar meal ...
07/06/2026

Breaking fast together is about more than food. It’s about connection, belonging, and community 🌙✨

Hosting an iftar meal for our young people creates a safe and welcoming space where they can share stories, build friendships, and experience the warmth of togetherness during Ramadan. For many, moments like these help reduce isolation, strengthen confidence, and remind them that they are valued and supported.

Small acts of inclusion can have a lasting impact. A huge thank you to Chaiwala for donating tea and coffee, to Grill Works for the grilled chicken, and to Rafiq Catering for the biryani. Your generosity made it possible.

What a difference a month makes! Throughout April, volunteers from The King's Trust chose our Aylestone YMCA garden as t...
06/06/2026

What a difference a month makes! Throughout April, volunteers from The King's Trust chose our Aylestone YMCA garden as their community project and they gave it everything they had. Come rain, wind and the occasional sunshine, they showed up, rolled their sleeves up and got to work.

The results speak for themselves. The shed has been tidied and fitted with tool hooks and racking, wooden structures have been weatherproofed, and a fresh coat of paint has brightened the whole space up. What was already a project our residents are proud of has been given a new lease of life by a group of young people who chose to invest their time and energy here.

It’s not just about a garden, but about the pride that comes from people caring about a space together. A huge thank you to The King's Trust and to every volunteer who took part. You have made a lasting impact. If you’re interested to learn more, head to The King’s Trust website for further information.

Address

7 East Street
Leicester
LE16EY

Telephone

+441162556507

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