Young People

SAFE + SORTED

Safe + Sorted is a drop-in for young people based at the 67 Centre on Hodshrove Lane, Moulescoomb. They are open Monday to Thursday 1pm -6pm.

You can contact them on the Safe and Sorted mobile: 07734791200 or email at safeandsorted@sussexcentralymca.org.uk.

Click here for a map and directions.

Safe + Sorted is a drop-in which offers free information, advice, guidance and support to young people (10-25 years), around any issue they are facing.

We believe in creating opportunities for young people in order to help them fulfill their potential, to participate in the project and the wider community.

Young people can get involved through:

•    Volunteering

•    Helping us to fundraise, being part of the process from start to finish.

•    Representing young people in our steering group ‘Be Vocal’

•    Helping us to deliver services

The involvement of the young people we work with is one of the main reasons Safe +Sorted has been so successful over the last 6 years.

You can donate to the Safe + Sorted project by clicking here.

For more information about Safe + Sorted please get in touch:

Call or text: 07734791200

E-mail: safeandsorted@sussexcentralymca.org.uk

Facebook: Find us on Facebook under Safe ‘n’ Sorted

Visit Safe + Sorted:  67 Centre, Hodshrove Lane, Moulsecoomb BN2 4RW. Click here for a map and directions.

We are open Monday-Thursday 1pm-6pm

Safe + Sorted will be starring as one of the projects on the current series of Channel 4’s ‘The Secret Millionaire’. The episode, also featuring the YMCA's Environment Project and the Brighton Unemployed Centre Families Project, will be aired on Sunday 14th November 2010 at 9pm. 

Safe + Sorted

Filming took place earlier this year in April at Safe + Sorted, a project run by Sussex Central YMCA in the East of Brighton. The team at Safe + Sorted had a hectic few weeks accommodating the film crew whilst keeping the project running as normally and smoothly as possible, which at times was a bit of a juggling act.

Lucy & Niki

Niki Eldridge, Manager of the project says “it was a worthwhile and humbling experience – in part because of the generosity of Bradley Reback (the now not-so-secret-millionaire), but also as a celebration of the work we do and of the amazing things that our young people achieve against all the odds”.

JordanJordan, one of the service users, received support from the workers at Safe + Sorted when she and her mum became homeless and also when she was being bullied at school “Safe + Sorted helped me when I was bullied and not in school for ages as I was signed off for anxiety and panic attacks, they even talked through poems with me before my English GCSE!  Safe+ Sorted helped to motivate me to get back into education.”

When asked about the programme Niki says “Ultimately the most important thing is for us is to be able to continue supporting the most vulnerable people in our society and Bradley’s donation has enabled us to keep doing this. There is a great deal of publicity about the pressures facing us all during this difficult economic period and this amazing experience provided us with a much needed relief as we wait to feel the true impact of the cuts. And despite the fact that cheques are virtually obsolete (except to Grandmas and Millionaires) – words can’t really express our gratitude.”

The work of Safe + Sorted doesn’t stop when the cameras leave, the project still needs your support. If you would like to help the work of Safe + Sorted by donating then click here.

For more information about the project click here.

Future Jobs: Minister Jonathan Shaw, MP and Celia Barlow, MP chat to some of Hove YMCA’s Future Jobs workers.Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Department for Work and Pensions Minister for the South East, Jonathan Shaw MP, and local MP Celia Barlow, made a special visit to Sussex Central YMCA to talk to the YMCA’s latest recruits.

Sussex Central YMCA have recently employed 30 young people through the Future Jobs Fund – a government scheme to give paid work placements and training for 18 to 24 year olds. A further 72 jobs will be created over the next 14 months.

The Minister spent two hours chatting to the Future Jobs workers, and learnt about their new jobs in retail, electrical refurbishment, marketing, administration and sports work.

The Minister said, “I commend the excellent work being done by YMCA and the City Council in the economic downturn to give young people who are struggling the opportunity to get on the employment ladder.

“The enthusiasm and potential of young people will be vital as we start to move out of the recession so we need to give them the chance to flourish.

Have you ever wondered why Sussex Central YMCA has charity shops? Is it just to provide shopping bargains for fridges, frocks and front room furniture? Well, yes and no.

Profits from the shops are put to work directly into the numerous projects of Sussex Central YMCA. Without this vital source of income many projects would come to an end, meaning that young people in the city would be without the help and support they need.

Also, by refurbishing unwanted electrical appliances, repairing furniture and giving bric-a-brac new homes, Sussex Central YMCA charity shops stop perfectly good items from ending up at the rubbish tip. This means less landfill, less incineration, a lower carbon footprint and a healthier environment.

Each year, Sussex Central YMCA diverts 440 tones of perfectly useable furniture, clothing and electrical items from ending up in landfill. This equals 5000 electrical items, 12,000 items of furniture and enough clothing to last the children in the picture a lifetime.

Your donations can now provide 28% more help to Sussex Central YMCA

It is now possible for Sussex Central YMCA to claim Gift Aid on all items donated to our charity shops. This means that for every item sold in the shop, Sussex Central YMCA can claim 28% extra on the sale price from the Inland Revenue. All you need to do is fill in a simple form – and that’s it – Sussex Central YMCA will do the rest at no cost or time to you. And 28% more children, young people and families will benefit from our vital services.

To donate now click here.

To find out more about Sussex Central YMCA's charity shops, contact Mark Roberts, Operations Manager at mark.roberts@sussexcentralymca.org.uk 

Find Your Nearest Shop

Get Your Unwanted Items Collected

Volunteer in a Sussex Central YMCA Shop

Global Xchange Volunteers

2008 volunteering at Hove YMCA has started well! Two volunteers from the Global XChange programme have begun a three month volunteer placement in Hove YMCA Youth, Sports & Community Team. Christy from Northern Ireland and Mistura from Nigeria have already spent three months in Nigeria and are now volunteering with Hove YMCA. Alongside helping out in the clubs, they are helping to develop Hove YMCA's young person’s website and are creating a visual presentation documenting volunteering in Hove YMCA, which will be premiered at the Hove YMCA Volunteer Celebration Event in March.

Click here to read more about our Global Xchange Programme volunteers and volunteering opportunities at Hove YMCA.

The Mayor, Brian Oxley, CEO David Standing and John Fox

Sussex Central YMCA and their team of workers and volunteers endeavour to support young people to achieve their potential in its fullest sense, and to enable them to navigate the often difficult and challenging journey through adolescence into adulthood.

Every year Sussex Central YMCA staff, young people and their parents as well as members of the community gather to celebrate the variety of achievements and goals that the young people have reached throughout the year. This can range from being a volunteer sports coach to gaining a Duke of Edinburgh Award. This year is no exception and some amazing young people were congratulated.