Transforming Young Lives - YMCA DownsLink Group

YMCA DownsLink Group is the biggest youth charity in Sussex & Surrey 

Help make a difference to the life of a young person

 

Every year we support over 10,000 children, young people and their families - transforming young lives. We work to tackle the causes of youth homelessness and give young people in crisis the opportunity to create a brighter future.

Post pandemic recovery was a key part of 2022. Although our services continued throughout the pandemic, the lifting of Covid restrictions allowed us to resume face-to-face work with young people in our counselling and youth services.

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2021/2022 in Statistics

10,273

young people accessed our services

787

homeless young people provided with a safe home every night

5,105

people were supported by our counselling services

71%

of the families seen by the Family Mediation Service stayed together, reducing youth homelessness

62%

of our residents were helped back into education, employment or training

89%

of our young people, living in supported accommodation, moved on successfully to independent living

For young people there were also additional family pressures caused by lockdown, so family breakdown became the number one cause of youth homelessness. Despite the challenges, we continued to deliver our vital housing & support projects, and adapted our counselling and advice services to ensure we could still help all young people in need, to belong, contribute and thrive in our local communities.

“Just walking through the doors of the YMCA and seeing the staff and the residents and having banter with them and talking to them. It’s just like having a home away from home and having a sense of family. I think you can’t really put a price on that…”

YMCA DownsLink Group Resident

How our work makes a difference

Sam sat on a boat with the sea behind him and a white boat in the distance

Sam’s story

Following on from two lockdowns and starting a new school, Sam was suffering from social anxiety. After reluctantly started therapy with us, Sam settled into the sessions and his worries began to lessen.
Young man archie smiling on a street

Archie’s story

After a chaotic few years Archie found stability at the YMCA. Now, with help from YMCA’s Life Change Fund he’s all set to take another big step forwards.
Kara's Story

Kara’s story

Changes in Kara's behaviour at school were causing concern. Counselling with YMCA Dialogue helped Kara identify and express her feelings, letting light into a dark period in her life.
YMCA-logo-2022-white

YMCA enables people to develop their full potential in mind, body and spirit. Inspired by and faithful to our Christian values, we create supportive, inclusive and energising communities, where young people can truly belong, contribute and thrive.

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