YMCA HUMBER

Contents
1 Introduction
2 Background and Context
3 Our Purpose & Values
4 Vision and Mission
- 4.1 Accommodation
- 4.2 Training and Education
- 4.3 Health and Well-being
- 4.4 Family and Community Work
- 4.5 Support and Advice
- 4.6 Our Staff and Volunteers
5 Future Plans and Developments
- 5.1 Accommodation
- 5.2 Training and Education
- 5.3 Health and Well-being
- 5.4 Family and Community Work
- 5.5 Our Staff and Volunteers
- 5.6 Income Generation Strategy
6 Our Back Office Services

Introduction

The YMCA Humber strategic plan 2019-2021 has been produced to reflect the transformational journey that the organisation is on.

During this 3-year period it is essential that we move out of our current Peaks Lane hostel and develop a broader range of accommodation which addresses local need and provides a journey of supported accommodation from leaving care to independent living.

We currently deliver excellent mental health support for young people (18-35) through our At One project but the need for this type of service is great and we need to mainstream this service, making it a core service at the YMCA, rather than a project. We also need to further develop this service to meet the needs of younger people (16-18).

Unlocking potential of young people is at the heart of what we do. We need to grow our youth work provision and our potential to offer support to families.

The key to developing our enhanced, new vision is our team. We will therefore develop and deliver a new ‘People Strategy’, showing how we will better support, train and develop our staff to deliver excellent services. This level of support will also be extended to a newly developed network of volunteers.

Furthermore, in order to grow all of our services we will need to develop a new Income Generation Strategy. This Strategy will demonstrate how we grow our income through fundraising, corporate support and grants.

YMCA Humber wants to re-gain its place at the heart of North-East Lincolnshire, and further develop its services across the Humber Region. Our work will effectively contribute towards creating a place where people can flourish, where young people belong, contribute and thrive. Our marketing and communication services will be further developed to ensure that our purpose and the value of our work is better understood.

Background and Context

YMCA Humber is a youth and community charity, currently supporting young people and communities in and around North-East Lincolnshire, with plans to develop our services across the whole of the Humber Region.

YMCA Humber is a registered housing provider, providing supported accommodation for over 400 people each year.

Our Purpose

We believe everyone has potential to unlock.

Our Values

The way we act at YMCA Humber is characterised by five strong and distinctive values that flow from our Christian ethos.

• We seek out

We actively look out for opportunities to make a transformative impact on young lives in the communities where we work, and believe every person is of equal value.

• We welcome

We offer people the space they need to feel secure, respected, heard and valued; and we always protect, trust, hope and preserve.

• We Inspire

We strive to inspire each person we meet to nurture their body, mind and spirit, and to realise their full potential in all they do.

• We speak out

We stand up for young people, speak out on issues that affect their lives, and help them to find confidence in their own voice.

• We serve others

We are committed to the wellbeing of the communities we serve and believe in the positive benefit of participation, locally and in the wider world.

Vision and Mission

Accommodation
We provide a home, primarily for vulnerable young people in supported accommodation across the Humber. We improve lives in a safe, secure environment.

Training and Education
Every person has the opportunity to fulfil their potential through the development of skills. In a safe, supportive environment, our staff will be highly skilled and passionate about supporting people with the ultimate goal of self–development, connecting them with learning, employment or social enterprise opportunities.

Health and Well-being
Everyone we support should enjoy the benefits of good health and well-being. We support people to improve their physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. We will create an environment that allows people to talk about their mental health in the knowledge that they will receive the right support, allowing them to take positive steps to improve their health and well-being. We will actively seek to further develop the sports facilities and services we offer.

Family/Community Work
Young people and families should have the support they need to develop and lead more fulfilling lives. We will create spaces and opportunities for young people to develop trusting relationships and the tools to enable them to make informed choices. We will create spaces and develop opportunities and activities to engage with the communities we serve.

Support and Advice
Everyone who connects with us through our services will have someone they can trust. Our staff will be committed to supporting their individual needs, helping them achieve their potential and goals. We will support and guide those we work with to develop the tools they need to improve their lives.

Accommodation – Vision Statement

Our aim is to provide high quality accommodation and support services, designed around the needs of our residents.

Our buildings will be engaging spaces where we create a positive environment for our residents and visitors. They will be inclusive places where people feel ‘at home’, safe, and are actively engaged in the caring support provided by our coaches.

We will know we are successful when:

• All our accommodation is of a high standard of repair, cleanliness and comfort.
• We are an accommodation provider of choice for both local commissioners and the communities that need our services.
• We have a range of accommodation types to meet the housing and support needs of residents wherever they are on their housing and support pathway.
• We have expanded our property portfolio to address unmet housing need in the Humber region.
• We successfully manage our accommodation to reduce re-let times, with an effective repairs service and by efficiently managing the lettings process.
• Our services meet the particular needs of young people, safeguarding their physical and emotional wellbeing.
• We improve the quality of life of our residents: providing personalised support to enable them to reach their goals, participate in their community and unlock potential.
• Residents move on from our service with the life skills, self-esteem and confidence needed to maintain independent living.
• We work in partnership with all external agencies to ensure our residents receive the services they need, progress towards their goals and avoid social exclusion.

 

Health and Well-being – Vision Statement

We will provide a holistic approach in the promotion and practical support for people to improve their physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. We will actively encourage low level mental health interventions to become integrated into our overall provision.

We will know we are successful when:

• We are delivering quality early intervention mental health support to all those we receive a referral for.
• We and our partners are clearly working together in supporting people to live healthier lives.
• Local churches are actively engaged with the work of the YMCA Humber.
• We understand the gaps in sports provision for young people in our area and we work with partners to attract the funding to address those identified gaps.

Family and Community Work – Vision Statement

Our youth work will continue, so long as funding can be secured. We will develop our Community Support once we assume responsibility for the St Hugh’s Community Centre and have brand new facilities at Freeman Street, Grimsby.

We will know we are successful when:

• We are an ‘enabling partner’ supporting the local voluntary sector to meet the needs for youth activity in our area.
• We have sustainable projects that provide consistent support.
• We have developed our own workforce to better-support our youth work provision. We have created more opportunities for our workforce and others to volunteer.
• Our projects will be places that promote inclusion so that our activities are attended by a diverse range of young people and young people supported by YMCA Humber feel more included in both their home and school communities.
• We are seen as the provider of ‘community’ services.

Support and Advice – Vision Statement

All our services will provide people with relevant and impartial information and advice. We will ensure that we maintain effective partnership relationships with other service providers so we can refer people to specialist services where we are not best placed to help. We will promote freedom of choice so that people make informed decisions about what support is best for them.

We will know we are successful when:

• We can articulate our support offer, and everyone is clear about the way we work.
• We can evidence person-centred planning throughout our services.
• We can evidence that our support is making a positive impact.
• We are seen as a key partner within local provider networks.
• Young people express confidence in the support they receive from YMCA Humber.

Our Staff and Our Volunteers

We will continually work as a team to ensure we are the best in everything we do. We will always focus on others to ensure we have a respectful and fun working environment. We will take individual accountability for delivering results and will ask for help when needed. We will work flexibility and embrace change, whilst always looking after the well-being of ourselves and our colleagues. We will be accountable for our decisions and support each other through difficult times. We will always strive to improve ourselves by asking for feedback and embracing learning opportunities.

We will know we are successful when:

• We are a living wage employer for ALL our staff and have fairness in our terms and conditions of employment.
• We have a simple job grading system that is transparent to everyone and supports recruiting great people.
• Our leaders with no more than 8 direct reports and provide excellent coaching and support to their team members.
• We provide development and progression opportunities for all our staff and volunteers.
• Nobody is expected to work excessive hours and we ensure we support our own and our colleague well-being.
• Our staff are recognised as outstanding in their field and support the local community in developing their understanding of our residents and service users unique qualities and needs.

Future Plans and Developments

Accommodation 3 year plan

2019	2020	2021
We will agree what our alternative to our Peaks Lane hostel will be and take action to commence the implementation of that model. We will develop accommodation and a support model for Care Leavers in Grimsby and Cleethorpes. We will explore potential need for YMCA accommodation services in either Hull or North Lincolnshire.	We will develop accommodation, specifically for young women. Based on the broad model of our current Community House. We will seek to develop accommodation, based on potential need in either Hull or North Lincolnshire. Our Care Leavers’ accommodation will be up and running. Building work will be well underway on our alternative accommodation to our Peaks Lane hostel.	We will move out of our Peaks Lane hostel into a new, purpose-built centre at Freeman Street, Grimsby. We will re-purpose The Foyer to accommodate those residents whose needs are more complex. We have developed accommodation in either Hull or North Lincolnshire should it have been evidenced in 2019/2020 that the need exists. We will maximise opportunities to further develop our services to support local need when the Housing Related Support (HRS) contract is re-commissioned.

 

Training and Education 3 year plan

2019	2020	2021
Develop engagement activities. Expand training provision offered to residents. Investigate appropriate local provision to work with partners. Develop a Training Catalogue to co-ordinate skills, training and learning opportunities.	Develop an effective system for measuring distance travelled. All residents will engage with skills development opportunities both informal and formal. Training, skills development and signposting to further learning opportunities is offered to anyone accessing YMCA projects. We build relationships with local, national and international companies.	Impactful engagement opportunities are measured and recorded. We will develop specific training facilities based around catering and customer service skills.

Health and Well-being 3 year plan

(Mind, Body & Spirit)

2019	2020	2021
We will develop products to actively market our At One/Mental Health provision. We will further develop our National Lottery funded ‘At One’ programme, focussing on achieving the expected numbers of service users and reflecting on what works best for this cohort of service users. Continue to offer our Sports Hall for the physical and mental health benefit of a range of groups and facilitated physical activities to otherwise inactive young people within communities.	We will develop a programme of support to expand our work into secondary schools. Continue to successfully implement our National Lottery Funded ‘At One’ programme, confirming YMCA Humber as a well-regarded organisation in North East Lincolnshire. Secure funding to further develop our mental health support services, so that we continue to support young people with low to moderate mental health challenges – this would include supporting parents with mental health challenges and/or supporting school pupils to support their friends. Establish YMCA Humber as an organisation which has an integral role to play in the suite of services offering mental health support in North East Lincolnshire. Provide local churches with promotional materials and regular updates, asking them to pray for the work of the YMCA. Continue to offer our Sports Hall for the physical and mental health benefit of a range of groups and developed our offer of physical activities within the communities, recognising the physical and mental benefits of physical activity.	Successfully complete our National Lottery funded ‘At One’ programme, cementing YMCA Humber as a well-regarded organisation in North East Lincolnshire and having developed evidence-based practice. Embed delivery of our funded mental health programmes. We will have secured an experienced, well trained workforce. We will actively tender to provide additional low-level mental health support services to young people in our area and further develop our evidence base of the work we are doing. Develop a positive relationship with a small number of churches giving their congregations the opportunity to support the work of YMCA Humber. Revisit our offer so that we continue to support the physical and mental health of local people given the move of our main accommodation building from Peaks Lane to Freeman Street. We will continue to support our residents with low-level mental health needs.

Family & Community Work 3 year plan

2019	2020	2021
Secure funding for our current youth club provision beyond 2019.	Secure funding to protect our established youth projects and develop a service in a new location. Develop a ‘youthwork vision and brand’ allowing us to fundraise successfully for our youth work provision. Using St Hugh’s as a base, start to offer supported services to families, resulting in children and young people being happier and healthier. Develop our discussions with partners in North Lincolnshire and Hull, with a view that we offer positive activities for young people in those areas. Develop our approach to community provision which can be offered from the ground floor of the Freeman Street Building.	Firmly established YMCA Humber as the ‘go to’ organisation, supporting communities who want to provide positive activities for their local children and young people. Continue to develop our range of services from St Hugh’s Community Centre, making it a centre known and valued by all in the West Marsh. Become established in North Lincolnshire and Hull as a partner in the provision of services to families, children and young people. Community facilities and a community café at Freeman Street, Grimsby are opened by September 2021. We have a plan in place to support vulnerable families in North East Lincolnshire.

 

Our Staff & Volunteers 3 year plan

2019	2020	2021
Establish a HR function. Review the current organisation structure, employment and volunteering offer and propose appropriate changes. Establish a Staff Forum. Develop a comprehensive induction/on-boarding programme. Develop a Well-being programme for our staff.	Implement organisational review changes identified in 2019. Develop a Training & Development programme for our staff and volunteers. Develop a process for recognising & rewarding staff achievements. Develop a Performance Review and competency framework to be embedded across the organisation.	Ensure we are providing excellent volunteering and development opportunities for the local community and our staff. Ensure that our Vision & Purpose is embedded and understood across the organisation. Make any required change to our people-related documents & process, in line with our Vision & Purpose.

 

Income Generation Strategy 3 year plan

***Covid 19 considerations need to continue regarding any events concerning social distancing and how to interact safely by responding appropriately to any recommendations and changes.

2019	2020	2021
Develop an Annual YMCA Humber Income Generation Event Plan. Agree Strategic Funding Priorities for 2019/21. Develop Communication Plan. Promote the use of fundraising sites such as Give as You Live, Amazon Smile and easyfundraising.org to staff, families and networks. Investigate opportunities for external bid writing support. Develop and implement a Collection Box Procedure. Plan a strategy to target community fundraising opportunities Identify individual fundraising opportunities such as marathons/climbs etc	Develop & deliver a comprehensive Corporate Partnership programme. Develop a shortlist of HVD’s and Businesses and agree approach methods. Develop and promote Sponsorship Packages for elements of new build and promote to potential supporters. Launch the Communication Plan for Individuals & Corporates. Secure grants from appropriate funders. Design a Legacy Fundraising approach and campaign. Develop strategy and criteria for recruiting HVD’s or celebrities to position of President or Patron. Develop a strategy to target Community Fundraising opportunities. Plan the opening of retail/catering and training establishments for St Hugh’s & Freeman Street.	Launch HVD and Business Strategy and approach shortlisted targets. Implement the opening of retail/catering establishments. Approach shortlisted targets for positions of Patron or President. Populate CRM with comprehensive list of supporters and develop CRM communication Plan. Launch Legacy Fundraising Campaign. Develop a ‘donor’ care culture & strategy to recognise all contributions to ensure ongoing commitment and engagement.

Our Back Office Services

Key to the successful delivery of this Strategy is our people. We will ensure that all staff have an understanding of this Strategic Plan and what their role is in its delivery. We will aspire to every member of our team owning this Plan and the outcomes we need to achieve.

Having efficient and effective support services will be essential to realise the successful delivery of this Strategic Plan. These services will need to flex and adapt to the changing nature of the work of YMCA Humber.

Essential to the delivery of this Plan will be our effectiveness in securing external funding to deliver our services and to diversify and develop our income streams. We will need to strengthen our ability to secure external grants from a broader range of funders.

Understanding the impact we have will furthermore be essential to us improving our offer and our services to reflect the needs of our customers. Therefore, during the life of this Strategic Plan we will take the time to develop measures to allow us to better understand the impact we have and demonstrate this to our funders and our supporters accordingly.

During the period of this Strategic Plan we will: –

• Review and update our website.
• Review and update all of our communications, both internally and externally with a view to improving our reputation.
• Constantly seek to develop and continue better relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Keep under review and take action where necessary to ensure compliance with General Date Protection Regulations.
• Review our Governance arrangements.
• Keep under constant review the adaptations and changes the organisation needs to make given the challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic