25 October 2010

Southend YMCA is a vibrant organisation, proactively engaged in helping vulnerable young people and disadvantaged communities to build their future. We have a broad vision 'seeking to stand in the gap ' - by offering services which address the needs of our beneficiaries.
 

We have a developmental approach to business - undertaking extensive research and consultation to understand the broader context in which we operate and the social and environmental impact that the Charity has on society.
 

We are responsive - developing high quality, demand and need led provision, which optimizes life chances and helps to build cohesive communities. This is in accord with our charitable objects: the advancement of education, housing and recreation and the amelioration of conditions of need and distress.
 

We engage with outside bodies and key external stakeholders who share similar concerns to ourselves and sit on a number of forums including: Southend Children’s Partnership Executive. This enables us to advocate for our beneficiaries and engage in strategic, solution focused, decision making. We work collaboratively with colleagues from across disciplines and agencies to ensure the best outcomes for children, young people and communities through seamless, integrated service delivery.
 

We have a commitment to quality – holding the following quality marks: Investors in People, Investors in Volunteers, Matrix and Reach, We are an accredited Supporting people provider at QAF level A and are inspected by regulators including Ofsted.
 

We actively seek innovative resources and ways of investing in young people and communities. This includes a diversified approach to funding in order to aid sustainability: fundraising through events, activities and private and commercial donations, grants, contract delivery and in 2009-10 the development of social enterprises engaging in primary purpose trading.
 

In 2009 – 10 1,326 people were supported through participating in structured services provided by Southend YMCA including supported housing, educational programmes and positive activities. C: 8,260 attended community orientated events facilitated by young people who raised funds for good causes or promoted arts and recreation, and C: 5,000 benefitted from educational outreach.