Celebrating the BIG GAY GULL during Brighton Pride

Brighton YMCA and EVOLVE clients were honoured to be part of Making it Out’s first major design project, planned for the Brighton Pride. The BIG GAY GULL, which celebrated the diversity of Brighton and Hove, was created and exhibitied for the Brighton Pride. Clients were involved by taking pallets a part, cutting them to size […]

THANK YOU KEIRAN!

‘The staff at William Collier House would like to thank Keiran for all his outstanding work within the hostel and his achievements whilst living at William Collier House. The journey Keiran has been on has been remarkable, he’s truly flourished and been such a joy to have in the hostel. Keiran has volunteered in the coffee […]

Cupcakes and cross-stitches – talented YMCA resident runs workshop at EVOLVE Cafe

On Wednesday 20th of June, Café EVOLVE drop-in held their first CUPCAKE DAY. The day was a huge success. Our guest tutor Brenda Smith, who lives at Fred Emery House, taught all people present to make cupcakes and and then decorate them using different decorating techniques   The day was so successful, that we are […]

My experience: from William Collier to independent housing

In 2016, I was placed in emergency accommodation, having been without stable housing for over 3 years. I was there for 4 months, then referred to YMCA William Collier House in December, 2016. At that time, I frequently had suicidal feelings and acted on these impulses on several occasions. I felt isolated and hopeless. Seeing […]

Young professional versed in working with vulnerable women joins TEAM EVOLVE

Here at Brighton YMCA we are extremely proud of our fantastic staff. This is why we have started a series of postings to celebrate our staff – follow us at #BehindTheScenes on Twitter. Today we would like to introduce Isabelle Carpenter. She is, together with Rose, our  newly recruited EVOLVE Coach. Here is a little […]

YMCA Evolve is joined by successful choreographer

Meet Rose Ryan, a new Coach at our new service; EVOLVE: Education, Volunteering, Vocational training, Employment support. Rose comes from a dance and education background. As well as working at Brighton YMCA, Rose is also a freelance movement direction practitioner with ARTSED, has an MA in Movement from the Royal Central School of Speech and […]

YMCA residents enjoy weekly yoga sessions

William Collier House residents have recently started to benefit from yet another healthy minds in healthy bodies project. Yoga teacher Kate volunteered her time to teach yoga in the newly refurbished downstairs studio, on the YMCA premises. The first session was relaxed but intensive in learning. Those involved learnt the snake pose, child’s pose and […]

Successful Move on Fair brings community and YMCA residents together

On Friday, 23rd February, Julia Daniels (Move on Coordinator, GWC), Abigail Bryant (STAR worker) and Nick Levett (Move on Coordinator, WCH) hosted a ‘Move on Fair’ at George Williams Centre. Many representatives from a wide range of housing and work and learning related agencies attended, including Brighton and Hove City Council supported housing, social and seniors’ housing as […]