A partnership with the Youth Offending Team has resulted in training and work experience opportunities for over 100 young people, giving them their first taste of paid employment. Also, in partnership with Working Links, a number of adults have gained on-the-job work experience, equipping them with new skills and confidence.
Hove YMCA is currently working with partners on a new strategy to develop a comprehensive training programme in retail, electrical repairs and furniture restoration for unemployed young people and adults. And, thanks to funding from the Charities Aid Foundation, a fund-raising strategy is now in place to increase income for the charity.
Not only do these partnerships and training opportunities benefit the local community, but they also benefit the local environment too!
1. Mrs Jones is very proud of her new fridge but she is concerned. Her old fridge works perfectly well, so she doesn’t want to send it to be dumped in landfill.
2. She then remembers Hove YMCA. Not only will they save her fridge from being dumped, but all the money from its sale will go to support a charity helping children, young people and their families - and collection is free!
3. The fridge is taken to be thoroughly examined by Hove YMCA’s trained staff. It is checked for safety and tested for 24 hours to ensure consistent temperature before finally being cleaned and sterilised ready for use.
4. The Hove YMCA electric shop saves and recovers more than 5000 electrical items each year. In addition, the four other Hove YMCA shops divert 12,000 items of furniture away from landfill.
6. Annually, over 400 tonnes of furniture and electrical items are saved from being dumped. Future plans include a large warehouse so more items can be re-used and Hove YMCA can do its bit to help save the environment.
5. All money raised from the shops goes to support under-funded projects or areas of work that are not funded, but are vital to the local community.