Housing

Bridgwater YMCA, as the Managing Agent of YMCA England’s Housing scheme, welcomes applications for supported housing from people from all backgrounds.

Local Profile

Bridgwater YMCA Foyer provides supported accomodation for 53 young people at three sites. George Williams House situated at Bridgwater YMCA is a 30 bed unit, Riverbed House provides a 12 bed unit in Highbridge and our move-on accommodation, a YMCA Managed Scheme, Clifford Searle House in Bridgwater consists of 11 self contained flats.

Our focus is on helping disadvantaged young people aged 16-25, who are in housing need, to achieve the transition to independence. Based on a holistic approach to the young person’s needs, offering access to guidance, affordable accommodation and job searching facilities. Opportunities are available for residents to; talk to members of staff in confidence, explore their faith, get help with their personal and social development, and take part in activities such as outdoor pursuits or use of our fitness facilities.

Bridgwater YMCA also offers a variety of different programmes and activities, these are available for children, young people and adults in our community as well as local schools and youth groups. These include outdoor activities, sports and fitness facilities, youth work and Room Hire and Meeting Facilities.

Bridgwater YMCA’s mission is ‘To open doors for the community and champion young people, creating and enabling sustainable opportunities for change and success’.

Where we are

Bridgwater YMCA Foyer
George Williams House
Friarn Avenue
Bridgwater
Somerset, TA6 3RF

Contact Number

01278 422511

Website

www.bridgwaterymca.org

Additional Opportunities Available at Bridgwater YMCA

Additional opportunities open to all our residents include:

M.O.M.O’s - our moving on, membership and opportunities scheme. This is a personal membership scheme that promotes and supports achieving independence and autonomy, positive move on and access to opportunities.

Residents automatically receive membership to our Hyper Active programme; this entitles them to free access to all the sports and fitness activities at the Bridgwater YMCA. Residents can join in with the various fitness and recreational sports activities in the programme, including, fitness classes, use our state-of-the-art air conditioned gym, kick boxing, climbing, caving, canoeing and much more.

Our support programme includes basic skills training, opportunities for learning, issue based workshops and residential based activities.

Bridgwater YMCA has close links with local agencies and organisations enabling residents to have access to further opportunities, these include: Further education, Princes Trust and other support services such as Connexions, On The Level etc.

Coming in September 2008 is the Foyer Health programme, funded by the Big Lottery Well-being Fund (England). This is an exciting opportunity to raise the profile of the role Foyers play in promoting the health of young people. There are opportunities for every Foyer in England to benefit from the programme and funding and support are available to:

• Run health activities in Foyers on healthy eating, physical activity and mental well-being
• Develop health projects on healthy eating, physical activity and mental well-being
• Foyer staff will have the opportunity for professional development through a 4 day training programme to integrate life coaching principles into support planning.

Homelessness Services Available at Bridgwater YMCA

Bridgwater YMCA has good partnerships with social housing landlords. This enables us to have a proactive and positive approach to residents moving on to independent living. We have a very successful move on programme.

Summary of Accommodation Details