YMCA

content:

General - who and how to refer

Short term projects/events, evening classes

Supported vocational training - The HORIZON Project

Supported Housing project and Inclusion project - Ryder House

Furniture Warehouses

Forms - We can post brochures & referral forms or email them or you can download here [see below]

Diversity - All our work models diversity and inclusion - regardless of gender, race, ability, faith, sexuality. So if you know potential clients [residents, trainees, service users or members of a Youth Project] please don't be put off from referring them to us. Some have mental health issues, learning difficulties or physical disability or attend a special school while others are young offenders, excluded from school or asylum seekers. Whatever the issues affecting someone you know - please consider referring them to us. One of our key strengths and added value is our very diverse client base & inclusive holistic approach so no one is labelled or excluded in our projects.

What are our acceptance Criteria? - the key criteria for any applicant is their needs - and our assessment of: can we offer them appropriate support? If we cannot then we are honest and try to suggest other options - this is better than accepting someone we cannot support - and setting them up for failure. If we feel we can support them, we then consider risks if any to the potential client, other vulnerable clients and staff workload. Then we will usually accept a client, ask them to go on a short waiting list or inform them that we are currently unable to help them. Someone we cannot accept this week may be offered a place a month later if staff workload has changed. These decisions can be formally appealed by contacting the CEO by email or letter.

Honesty, integrity and confidentiality - we depend on you, as a referring agency, to be absolutely 100% open + honest with us - in confidence - so that our needs/risk assessments are accurate & informed. IF you withhold info you run the risk of inappropriate support being offered. You do your clients a great disservice if you hide issues from us - if we spot inconsistencies we may require extra interviews, reports - you will cause delay and we may be more cautious than required with this an any future referrals you make. If we accept a referral and raise expectations but are then unable to properly support a client you have greatly added to their troubles. Please use the established Kent and Medway Crime & Disorder information exchange protocols to give us a full picture.

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Short term projects and Youth Clubs / Evening classes / Events- based on local needs, staffing & funding we run or host a variety of shorter terms projects & events - often run by Young People - these are advertised by email, posters/flyers, at multi-agency meetings and on the NEWS pages of this website rather than on this page. Do contact us for more info or to discuss a referral. These have included the People Show, Graffiti Rocks, Innov-8, ClaimYourVoice and may include evening classes [Painting & Decorating or Motor Mechanics] BBC breathing Spaces, NLDC Neighbourhood Learning in Deprived Communities, child care training, drop ins/Job Clubs..

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the HORIZON Project | supported vocational training + life skills - basic skills - key skills

Skills for life, for work and for living

For young men & women aged 13-25

+ selected adults [usually referred by social services or health trusts]

The HORIZON Project TONBRIDGE - Carpentry & Joinery

The HORIZON Project EDENBRIDGE – Painting & Decorating

The HORIZON Project SHERWOOD *OPENS SEP 08* Plumbing & electrical [& Child Care in due course]

All projects provide access to Sport, Health, Exercise & Fitness [SHEF] PLUS Personal & Social Development

Glossy leaflets - for adults designed by our adult trainees

- Tonbridge - woodwork every Friday http://www.westkentymca.org.uk/HP_TB_ASS_FLYER.pdf

Glossy leaflets for young people - designed by young trainees with their own case histories

- Tonbridge - woodwork

2007 http://www.westkentymca.org.uk/HP_TB_Oct07.pdf

2006 http://www.westkentymca.org.uk/HPT_Brochure_May_06.pdf

- Edenbridge - Painting http://www.westkentymca.org.uk/HP_EB_Oct07.pdf

- Flyer for 16-19 year olds http://www.westkentymca.org.uk/HP_E2E_flyer.doc

For more leaflets/flyers/evening classes

http://www.westkentymca.org.uk/page_newsread.asp?TakeAction=Read&newsID=ID973873316"

press article and pictures http://www.westkentymca.org.uk/courier_120805.pdf
for more info + referral form [last page] http://www.westkentymca.org.uk/horizon_referal.doc
ANY agency, teacher, parent/carer, sibling, youth worker, social worker, school nurse, PA, police officer, PCSO, YOS worker, church, GP or housing project etc can send us a 1 page referral form; or phone / email to book a visit or taster days [totally free - then we will address which funding route is appropriate based on age and need]

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RYDER HOUSE | Helping Young People Find their Foothold in Life

Supported HOUSING Project for 24 young men & women age 16-30.

High quality accommodation, key working: life skills - basic skills - key skills, support.

Youth inclusion programme - empowers young people to lead groups and set their agenda

24 self contained flats for young men and women aged 16-30. One flat is adapted for disabled clients.

Usually 16 flats are allocated to tenants referred by Tunbridge Wells BC Housing Office.

Up to 8 flats can be allocated to referrals from other areas - based on needs & priority

Housing Referral form - at http://www.westkentymca.org.uk/ryder_referal.doc
ANY council, RSL, church, prison, agency, teacher, parent/carer, sibling, youth worker, social worker, GP, school nurse, PA, police officer, YOS worker etc can send us a referral form; or phone / email to discuss or book a visit.

WEST KENT YMCA FURNITURE WAREHOUSES | Recycling & Re-use project

selling furniture, beds, sofas, electrical, white goods, TVs, PCs, audio, curtains..

Helping Young People Build Their future | more than just a charity shop

Social enterprise PLUS invaluable jobs, work experience, training, Horizon project sales.

See http://www.westkentymca.org.uk/page_furniture5.asp

As featured on BBC1 TV and in the Kent & Sussex Courier http://www.westkentymca.org.uk/courier_260805.pdf

Those on low income/ moving house/flat can be referred by a social worker, care manager, church, health visitor, housing association, Community Warden for a discount - simply contact us by phone, email/letter or drop in

[T] 01892 615612 or 01732 367764 [F] 08712 390 677 [E] warehouses@WestKentYMCA.org.uk

Scope for voluntary or paid work and supported employment in the warehouses

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For contacts & map links for each project > Contact us & Maps http://www.westkentymca.org.uk/page_contact.asp

We look forward to hearing from you, Rob Marsh, Chief Executive [M] 07941 388 852 [F] 08712 390 677