Government funding boosts YMCA homeless services

The Department for Communities and Local Government has announced a package of measures to improve services for homeless people and seven YMCA projects have been selected to receive funding.

A total of £70 million will be allocated to 69 homeless projects across England, as part of the Government's Places of Change fund, to help people in supported accommodation to find jobs and develop practical work and life skills.

YMCA Derbyshire has been given funding to provide purpose built accommodation and training facilities for young homeless people. They already receive Learning and Skills Council and Job Centre Plus funding.

YMCA Derbyshire's deputy chief executive, Paul Malone said: "The grant essentially means that, subject to planning, our new-build campus for learning and development serving homeless people will go ahead starting on site in August."

The funding is being used by some branches of the YMCA to help some young formerly homeless people develop their creative talents. Leicester YMCA will use its funding to develop a theatre in the heart of a hostel to offer theatre training, such as lighting, stage management, front of house reception and bar stewarding, while Crewe YMCA will develop construction training, a music and performance space and a gym.

The Government funding will also boost the expand the facilities and support services on offer at some of the YMCA's homeless centres.

Working with Lancaster City Council, Lancaster and District YMCA's funding, meanwhile, will see the YMCA's premises on New Road developed to provide extra training facilities and a range of support services for homeless people.

Phil McGrath, general secretary of Lancaster and District YMCA, said: "This is brilliant news for the homeless people of the Lancaster district. It is a much welcomed boost to what we're sure will be a fabulous facility."

Burton on Trent YMCA, working alongside East Staffordshire Borough Council, will develop new accommodation for rough sleepers in an existing YMCA supported housing scheme.

Burton YMCA chief executive Paul Laffey said: "This is great news for vulnerable homeless people in East Staffordshire. We are delighted the funding bid has been successful.

"As well as addressing housing problems for this client group, the services developed will support them around health, jobs and key life skills."