YMCA Burton - the work they do

23 May 2023 | Your Fishers |

On Tuesday 23rd May a group of us from the Charity and Social Committee went to visit the ‘Reconnect ’ to find out more about what they do and why they do it.

The facilities at the reconnect 

There are 31 units of accommodation including three emergency crash beds (for one or two nights), three cluster rooms and the rest are flats. Reconnect is more for high risk residents from 18 – 64. The other two sites (Milton House and George Williams House) are for young people (18-35) and there are 2x 20 units of accommodation there. Across all of the sites, there are 71 beds in total.

The YMCA charity shops help furnish the flats, but the team are always grateful for furniture donations.

Rough sleepers – how the YMCA help

• A homeless person will go to reception
• They will then be offered hot food
• The YMCA in burton also have a shower and facilities for the individual to get clean
• Clean clothes are available
• A washing machine can be used if needed
• There is a safe place to rest
• There is an opportunity to chat to a support worker

The work does not stop there.

The charity work for long periods of time with each individual to give them support to reconnect into the community. The housing on offer from the YMCA comes with round the clock care and facilities to help give them the skills and confidence to, hopefully in the future, lead a healthier life independently.

The facility comes with a kitchen, where the team at the YMCA will host Christmas meals and cooking lessons but a place for people to dine together. In the main reception there is a living room, and spaces for people to go.

Food parcels

Not only do the team at the YMCA Burton support homeless people, but with their food parcel services, they also help other people in the community struggling to afford food. The food parcels contain three meals for three days for two people and are on offer for collection up until 10pm as most people they found, tend to prefer to go at night. If there’s a family that needs one, we can give them extra for however many people are in the family.

Recently the charity have been overwhelmed with the number of food parcels needed to help people, so now more than ever, they are looking for food donations.

Outreach

Outreach is a programme that the YMCA run that relies on a group of volunteers that go out into the community to find rough sleepers so support can be offered to them.

If you see a rough sleeper it is good to know that you can call this number: 0800 130 3415 to make the charity aware so they can help.

Outreach covers Burton to as far as Rocester and Uttoxeter.

https://burtonymca.org/volunteering-on-outreach/

Mediation

Another important service the charity offer is mediation for 12+ year olds and their parents. Referrals for this service usually come from child services, schools and some are self-referrals. This scheme aims to prevent homelessness in the future for these children who struggle with life at home.

This is a service which is completely free of charge.

Peter, the charity’s mediator has a background in teaching and has been a mediator at the charity for nearly 10 years. Peter will typically meet the young person first, find out the situation and explain mediation. He will then meet the parents and follow the same format with the intention of helping people listen and communicate.

The YMCA also offer a free counselling service for residents, using a holistic approach and helping them to work through trauma and difficulties that they may be experiencing, alongside the support work.