Jasmine's Story

“We have been using the YMCA holiday club now for about 2 years after hearing about it from our friend who works at YMCA Humber… it’s such a great place!

The YMCA holiday club has been great for me as a parent, it means I can still go to work and not use all my annual leave for childcare so it can be enjoyed elsewhere in the year… without getting mum guilt as I know they are having a great time.

We use the holiday club as it’s not always easy to sort childcare with family as they all work as well. It’s so easy to book, I can log onto the girl’s accounts and select the day. The payment link then comers through and it’s done within a couple of minutes.

The YMCA definitely provides stability for me as I know the dates they are open, and they are available for me to book a few months in advance. I can be organised and book in advance, so I know it so sorted for me to work. The girls talk very highly of the ladies that work in the holiday club.

The club has definitely benefited my youngest. Reeva can be very shy in new places and won’t speak much or join in. Her sister goes to the YMCA as well so that helps her, but also means she sticks to her instead of anybody else. Reeva came out the other week and gave another girl a cuddle as we left which was lovely to see and she told me it was her new friend.

She also brought pictures home and said what she had been playing and who with, it was lovely to hear that she felt confident enough to join in and play with the others.

Reeva loves that she can draw, there’s babies (dolls) to play with and they can watch a film… all her favourite things! She loves the films as it means she can sit and have a nap after a busy morning.

Ebony absolutely loves being able to use the outdoor space. She loves being able to go out there and do cartwheels and different things.

When I asked Reeva what she liked about it she said she loves that they get to go to the park and the sand pit, they even got an ice cream. She also said she likes playing with all the girls.

Ebony is a bit older so not much is cool at her age, but she said she likes being in the outside area.

As the mum I just love the different things they get to do, even some of the great days out that get planned, and it’s not just a club where they are sat being bored. Especially when mum guilt kicks in and you feel guilty you are at work in the holidays. It makes it a lot easier knowing they are having fun to. I will generally be gutted next year when Ebony is too old to attend.”