By Eck!
Terry Eckersley CEO Woking YMCA
Febuary 2010 Ambassadors you are really spoiling us
I love going to the movies don’t you? Im not your typical action movie man-I love romantic comedies-chick flicks-and wholesome true story type stuff-I love laughing and crying-and the feel good factor-If we can enjoy the movies so much-why shouldn’t the less fortunate and marginalised too……………well;
The Ypod is proud of its excellent partnerships within the Woking community and excited to announce an exciting new relationship with Ambassadors Cinema. I bumped into Greg Dyke Chairman of the group recently-ex director general of the BBC and a national treasure and exceptional leader; who I really admire. I also had the privilege of facilitating a town centre planning group-where Sue from the ambassadors kindly made this happen-we love Woking, it’s the place where everything happens-do you?
The cinema has pledged 5 pairs of free cinema tickets monthly on an ongoing basis to the Ypod and is in talks to develop other enterprises and opportunities.
The Ypod runs a whole range of activities and programmes that engage some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged young people in Woking. This generous gift will give some of these young people the access to films and documentaries they may not otherwise have the opportunity to see.
The Youth Council aka the ‘Minipods’ have recently enjoyed a trip to the Theatre to see ‘Joseph’ and are very excited that they will now be able to enjoy visits to the cinema to see box office smashers such as Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief and Youth In Revolt! The Youth Council is a forum that enables the young people to be heard and encourages their active involvement in community decision making.
The Ypod also recognises the educational value of this opportunity. We aim to encourage our young people to have an awareness of the world around them and knowledge of other cultures and societies and believe cinema is a means to fulfilling this. There are plenty of excellent films to watch at the Ambassadors with powerful messages and good historical content, like the new Clint Eastwood movie ‘Invictus’.
The tickets will be distributed each month between the numerous groups and projects that the Ypod runs and a wide range of service users will benefit from this generous donation. The Ypod extends its’ thanks to the Ambassadors and looks forward to continued partnership and future ventures.
By Eck!
Terry Eckersley CEO Woking YMCA
January 2010 Complete makeover at the YMCAs Ypod!
Happy New Year! And all the best for 2010. Here at the YMCA we have a great cultural foundation that seems to work in any economy. Two of the pillars of our culture are generosity and excellence. This is in the way we deal with one another, partners, other organisations, clients-and our facilities. This is a great example of what some of us did over the Christmas period-to make our centre gleaming, excellent and brand new. Just like every young person can become.
Over the Christmas holidays the Ypod received a make over. A team of volunteers worked for 2 days on spring cleaning and repainting the centre. Focus DIY generously donated all the equipment and supplies needed for the redecoration; from sugar soap and buckets to paints and rollers. Tony the volunteer co-ordinator from WAVS also came along.
Volunteers ranged in age from 6 to 66 and all enjoyed the day immensely and were very pleased with the end result.
The young people who use the centre were thrilled with the fresh new look. Nicola Norman head of Woking Children’s Centre who runs a number of projects for parents and young children at the Ypod commented “The parents are really happy with the make over it’s brightened up the rooms and made for a really positive environment”
Lets go into 2010 with excellence and generosity of spirit. In my following columns I will be sharing other pillars of our culture and then sharing how these are being expressed.
Terry Eckersley CEO Woking YMCA.
http://www.justgiving.com/wokingymca
December 2009 2010 a year of hope and new beginnings
I had a great Christmas with family, and I hope you did too-sadly many didn’t! We are working to change this.
Many thanks for all your comments, emails, phone class and support to make Woking the most innovative, caring pioneering YMCA and town in the UK and world…………..Wow! Here we are on the verge on a New Year!
We want to thank all our supporters friends, partners and Patrons;
Paul Weller released another great album and proved that another kid from another deprived areas can make it if they work hard have passion and try ! (I’m the other!)
Chris Ingram-for proving that a kid from a not so deprived area can also make a HUGE difference in business, philanthropy and providing wisdom and friendship to an upstart such as I!
Tony Parrot at Peacocks’ who gave us all the donations from Santa’s grotto in Wolsey place and also the Lions who provided hampers of food and gifts to deprived young people, and also Church of the Good Shepherd Pyrford for loads of presents for the kids of our young Mums. We had a Christmas, the one who’s birthday we where celebrating would have been proud of!
Our Board and volunteers who provide so much-because they care and are committed to our aims and purposes.; and all our partners and givers.
In 2010 as well as Youth Work, Family work, Schools work, sport and fitness we are moving into much needed housing.
I mentioned in the last column We have just started a Housing Advice worker called Steph-who will help with advice-we are looking to start a Nightstop-family rooms for 1 night and then allocating the young vulnerable somewhere safe and appropriate. Why should the most vulnerable young people in our society have to stay in B+Bs they get more support and activity etc in prison! “Society will be judged by the way we treat our most vulnerable” Ray Morgan CEO Woking Borough Council
Ypod recruits new Housing Advice Worker
Our Housing Advice Worker is starting to develop plans for a Woking YMCA housing project. Steph Cook has a successful marketing career and extensive experience in the Voluntary sector. Steph has worked for Healthcare charity, Sue Ryder and is a volunteer Youth Worker at the Ypod.
Steph has a genuine passion to combat youth homelessness and is currently working on a Nightstop project for Woking YMCA in partnership with Depaul UK. The role will involve working closely with Woking Borough Council and another RSL in the planning and development of the Woking YMCA housing project and we are very excited about the enthusiasm and expertise Steph will bring. Steph has just stated a Chartered Institute of Housing course and we are on the verge of acquiring our first home for vulnerable young people-16-25 who would normally come out of care and go into a B+B! We will help turn tests into testimonies and messes into messages! A victim mentality doesn’t seem to last long around here!
For further information on our housing plans contact Steph on housing@wokingymca.org.uk
On the night there will be approximately 15 members of staff.
We have Young People taking part with parents consent and anyone else who wants to join us! admin@wokingymca.org.uk
With police patrols through out the evening, this is to ensure the safety of the young people involved.
All the Sleepeasy people will be safe this will be our main priority.
The aim of the evening is to send out a message to the public about youth homelessness on their doorstep. And also of course raise some money to help meet this need!
So please individuals and companies sponsor us please.
http://www.justgiving.com/wokingymca
In 2010 let’s be kind and conquer by love! DL Moody CEO Chicago YMCA
We have also started a food larder so we can help the starving on our doorstep! If you want to contribute-just drop in at reception-or you can give monthly via http://www.justgiving.com/wokingymca
February 5, 1837 - December 22, 1899-lets make old values sexy and cool in 2010
terry.eckersley@wokingymca.org.uk
CEO Woking YMCA
November 2009 Sponsored Sleep out event
Dear Wokingite;
Woking YMCA has been chosen to take part in a great activity we are organising and running called Sleep easy. As an organisation which works with young people, we are working hard to raise awareness of youth homelessness in Woking.
On the 30th January the Woking YMCA Ypod Centres staff and young people will be sleeping rough to experience what young people, who are homeless experience every night.
We are raising money towards our new housing project so we can offer young people a safe place to go in their time of need. We have just started a Housing Advice worket called Steph-who will help with advice-we are looking to start a Nightstop-family rooms for 1 night and then allocating the young vulnerable somewhere safe and appropriate. Why should the most vulnerable young people in our society have to stay in B+Bs they get more support and activity etc in prison!
On the night there will be approximately 15 members of staff.
We have Young People taking part with parents consent and anyone else who wants to join us!
With police patrols through out the evening, this is to ensure the safety of the young people involved.
All the Sleepeasy people will be safe this will be our main priority.
The aim of the evening is to send out a message to the public about youth homelessness on their doorstep. And also of course raise some money to help meet this need!
http://www.justgiving.com/wokingymca
We will be providing soup, drinks and snacks so the young people will not be going through the night with nothing at all.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about the event. My contact details are:
01483 757160 (Ypod main line)
07790130335 (Ypod Mobile)
Email:
Admin@wokingymca.org.uk
Terry Eckersley
CEO Woking YMCA.
October 2009 Music, People, Food!
I always find these a great combination. Celebration, fun, emotional, Joyous-and its three things that most people like. I with my wife enjoyed all of this at One World Week at Woking Leisure centre this month. We met with our friends local Cllrs, the public, organisations representing the rich and colorfull tapestry of cultures, creeds and life we have in Woking. I met with my friend Shaeed from the WABF-Woking Asian Business Forum, who had been to the BBCs controversial showing of the BNP.
My comment was we must continue to light candles not curse the darkness. WE can all light our own candles of kindness, love, help, support, and yes take a stand against racism and hatred-the greatest stand we can take is by taking and voting the higher road of tolerance and love. I had fun at the Thai stand and at the Triune towns initiative with Germany and Italy-enjoying the cheese and wine-we have worked in partnership with Woking borough council for three years in giving young people the opportunity to explore other cultures and learn leadership, responsibility and values.
WE at Woking YMCA welcome people of all faiths and none-Yes we are a Christian Charity- but welcoming people of all faiths and none is not just in our mission statement-its in our lifeblood. We host many events from other faiths and backgrounds.
One World Week is a Development Education Charity. Each year, "The Week" is an opportunity for people from diverse backgrounds to come together to learn about global justice, to spread that learning and to use it to take action for justice locally and globally. This was a great event, great for Woking and the UK and the world.
I enjoyed watching another culture doing a Gig! Well at Woking YMCA amongst many other things we do Gigs! We love music! Young people perform grow, develop, have fun-with no alcohol and drugs! In a safe environment.
Woking YMCA Ypod centre is fast developing a great reputation as a under 18’s music venue in Surrey. The Beatles are honary members and Paul Weller is our Patron!
Holding gigs the last Friday of every month with tickets between £3 and £6 the 200 capacity venue this autumn sees the Ypod back after a quiet summer with some amazing bands headlining.
Septembers gig saw Gimble headlining a very successful gig with support from local bands, The Dead Summer, Could it Be You and Traffic Lights.
November 27th sees Tearaway headline with support from Without Thought and many more.
December 18th sees Ypod embark on a gig like they have never had before with One UK headlining an evening of exciting live music for the great value of £4.
With a number of competent staff on site to help set up sound checks and arrange lighting spectacles for the bands it is no surprise that the new years gig slots are already starting to fill fast.
With a charity gig on February 26th and the prospects of even bigger better bands heading to the heart of the Woking community, 2010 is bound to be a year to remember for the Ypod Centre as a music venue.
To book a place or find out about Gigs speak to cj.farrow@wokingymca.org.uk
If you would like to sponsor our work visit http://www.justgiving.com/wokingymca/ or if you would like to be a volunteer contact emily.waugh@wokingymca.org.uk
Thanks for all your positive comments and communication, please drop me an email terry.eckersley@wokingymca.org.uk
CEO Woking YMCA
May 2009 Woking YMCA pioneers new schools projects
“My attendance at school has improved a lot. I haven’t been trouble at school for a long time now. I feel more confident and more comfortable with in a group. I’m going to get some good qualifications which means I’ll be able to get a better job. I didn’t think I’d be able to go to college, but this course has helped me get a place. I used to get angry a lot but this course helps me be more patient.” These are just some of the things young people are saying about taking part in the Ypod Plus course at Woking YMCA’s Ypod youth centre.
Woking YMCA started running alternative education projects for students from local secondary schools in September 2008. They now run 5 different courses each term with over 30 students from 4 different secondary schools, including Wishmore Cross Special School and seeing great progress on a one to one learning course taylor made and also working towards a variety of awards and qualifications accredited by ASDAN (an Awarding Organisation for qualifications within the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), and the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF), regulated by Ofqual).
“ We work with a lot of young people who find school really hard, either because they have lost their confidence due to bullying, they’ve had serious health or family problems, they struggle to control their anger or they have conditions which make it hard for them to concentrate in a busy classroom.
They come to use for one day each week, either for a few weeks or a whole year, and take part in a variety of social and personal education, specialised workshops and activities and one to one support intended to build self-confidence, encourage young people to re-engage in learning and prepare them to take a positive role in society and get nationally recognized awards and qualifications.
The difference we’ve seen in the students is amazing. We’ve seen students attend our courses who’s school attendance is as low as about 30% and now they’re getting qualifications, they’re attendance has improved to 70 or 80% and they have a much more positive attitude towards their education.” Paul Langtree Youth Worker/Alternative Learning at Woking YMCA.
July 2009 Sure Start Children’s centre forms dynamic relationship with Woking Ypod
Hey, welcome back, it’s been a month already-I hope you are well?
Q. How many MPs does it take to change a lightbulb? A. It depends on how many properties they have been claiming for!
Q Ho w many MPs does it take to make a pancake? A. Only one they have become very good at flipping! Only teasing and being topical we love our MPs, speaking of MPs I was interviewed by a Politician who wants Humphrey Malins job-she was picking my brains about Woking, its needs etc…………..and she asked one of those questions that really makes you stop….and think!
Q. “What would you do if you where King for a day in Woking!” Long pause…………………..unusual for me!
A. I would keep doing what I am doing and like the first President of the YMCA Lord Shaftsbury- (When we truly had some real public servants) I would seek to make kindness fashionable-sexy-cool, in today’s speak!)
At a dignitaries meal Lord Shaftsbury was stopped and questioned by a petulant young Dr about the plight of young scallywags sleeping rough less than a mile from the venue, he said no buy lets put our finest silver cutlery down and go and look. It was true and that night Dr Barnardos was founded! We are following this lead and still planning to build a homeless project in Woking, more on that in another edition. This month I want to focus on the importance and value on Family and Partnership. In the USA the YMCAs strapline is building strong families-building strong communities. Jill my wife and I just lost our much loved Mum Janet-and thanks for all your kindness and thoughts and prayers-we appreciate you. I want to tell you of our Partnership with Surestart and what they are.
Sure Start Children’s Centres aim to improve outcomes for all children. They are a vital part of the Government’s ten-year childcare strategy to enable all families with children to have access to an affordable, flexible, high-quality childcare facilities for their child. Woking South Children’s Centre opened its doors at the Ypod Centre in March 2009.
The Children’s Centre runs free weekly Play and Learn sessions for parents and carers and their children aged between 0-5 years. These run on a Monday 10.00-11.30am and over 50 families have enjoyed the sessions since they started. The centre works in partnership with organisations such as Citizens Advice and the Family Information services who recently gave parents advice and information about local childcare, school admissions and nursery vouchers.
The Ypod is a great venue for the Children’s Centre and parents enjoy the relaxed and friendly atmosphere and the convenience of a central location. The vibrant centre offers plenty of space and a bright and welcoming environment, ideal for young children.
The Children’s Centre has also joined forces with the well established Young Parent’s Group that runs on a Friday afternoon at the Ypod, bringing some early years expertise to the team. There are plans to work together to broaden some of the services offered to the group and to arrange outings such as the recent and successful visit to Woking Leisure Centre’s Soft Play.
In addition Woking South Children’s Centre has set up a play group for local registered Childminders and started an annual programme of parenting courses called ‘The Nurturing Programme’. Last Friday the Children’s Centre trialled a Baby Cafe to promote and support breast feeding in the Woking area. This will be a joint venture with the local PCT (Primary Care Trust). It will be run as a drop in cafe once a week, but will be able to provide practical help to new mums. In addition there are plans to offer a Dad’s Club, baby massage and multi sensory movement sessions for young children and their parents.
For more information please contact Nicola on 01483 770063 email n.norman@sythwood.surrey.sch.uk. We welcome all parents, grandparents and carers and their children aged 0-5 years-come along and have some fun!
June 2009. Christian Charity is What We're All About
I have been at the YMCA for 15 years, starting as a volunteer and serving my way to chief executive. I love music, people, life and food but hate quiche. It represents an enemy called bland and average.
What I love about the YMCA is it is a Christian charity that welcomes all faiths and none. It’s much more than a Village People song. Woking YMCA opened in June 2006. We currently have one building which is a two-storey youth centre called the Ypod in the heart of Woking town centre. One floor is a dedicated youth centre with a drop-in café, IT suite, recording studio, performing hall, three small counselling rooms, some office space and three meeting rooms. The other floor is going to become a sports hall but we are currently trying to piece together funding for it.
We employ two full-time Connexions- funded youth workers, four youth mentors and one part-time Surrey Youth Development Service- funded youth worker and have a volunteer team of more than 20. We also have a few other paid staff and a number of volunteers in areas such as finance and facilities. Our drop-in café is open four days a week from 4pm to 9pm and we run a variety of activities during and outside of these times, including several dance classes, a youth council, children’s football classes, gigs for local youth bands, band practice sessions, recording studio sessions and much more.
We also do a variety of sessions in secondary schools and have strong link with the borough council, county council, youth service, Connexions service, churches, police services and various other youth organisations. As part of the YMCA we aim to work in many areas, including housing and homelessness, sport and health, crime and safety, education and skills, citizenship and personal development and parenting and family.
We have achieved a huge amount and look forward to doing bigger and better things during the coming months and years.
For more exciting updates and my blog www.terryeckersley.blogspot.com to respond and engage with us and our work-Woking YMCA belongs to Woking. We are also having an art exhibition here after a kind donation of a full collection by www.smartartgalleries.com this is all Pop art and includes work of our Patron Paul Weller and some of our honorary members the Beatles!!!
