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.
