“A Community where
everyone is healthy,
happy and connected”

YMCA enables people to develop their full potential in mind,
body and spirit. Inspired by, and faithful to our Christian values,
we create supportive, inclusive and energising communities,
where young people can truly belong, contribute and thrive.

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News & Updates

Evenwood: the story so far

When we started in Evenwood 3 years ago, we partnered with North Star Housing Association Community Connector and hit the streets for some consultation. We went door to door to get the residents comments and ideas. Although all the residents were keen to see something happen, they were hesitant about whether this would work.

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How You Can Get Involved

Call 01388 718770 to Donate Or Contact Us to get Involved

Volunteer Programme

If you would like to get involved and help our organisation with a more hands-on approach, we would love you to get in touch.

How you can help:

  • Join our youth team
  • Being a friendly face
  • Get involved in the community work
  • Get involved within the community café
  • Support work in the office

Fundraising

If you would like to fundraise on behalf of YMCA, why not get involved with our up and coming events or even set up your own?

Our main events include:

Charity Fund

We are always looking for ways to help improve the lives of the youth of today and tomorrow. Donating to YMCA Teesdale couldn’t be easier. We can assure you, your donation to YMCA Teesdale will be used to benefit the lives of young people in our community through the many projects we offer.

YMCA Recovery Appeal

With charities heavily relying on fundraising events and regular donations, it’s no surprise that COVID 19 has had a huge impact on the number of contributions needed to ensure we have the means to continue the work we do for vulnerable young people…

Youth

YMCA is a youth focused charitable organisation that believes in providing young people a safe space to belong, contribute and thrive. What does this mean? It means in Teesdale we operate youth clubs in three local areas, Barnard Castle, Evenwood and Cockfield. In these youth clubs we offer the opportunity for young people to chill out, engage and have fun in a safe environment with qualified youth workers. We also offer the opportunity for the young people to take part in a variety of different projects which can vary from a variety of healthy eating options, arts and crafts activities, physical activity, sexual health, mental and emotional wellbeing.

At YMCA, we aim to have an empowering impact on the young people that we engage with. Where young people have the potential to have an impact on their community.

Where we do not have the space to deliver a youth club, we deliver detached, street based youth work. This is where we take the work and the professional relationships young people have with our youth workers to the streets. Even without a physical space, empowering youth work can still be delivered through appropriate, street based activities.

Locations: Barnard Castle, Cockfield, Evenwood

Community

YMCA is an organisation that grows out of a communities need. As a result of this, we have developed a number of different areas of work within the community.

We recognise that Teesdale’s rural isolation is a real problems for some members of the community. As part of our community work, we work to reduce the impacts of rural and social isolation through some of our key programmes such as our weekly Lunch Club and our Community Café in Cockfield.

Through our work in the Café, we also deliver support and advice services to all members of the community. This community support and advice is based in Cockfield and Evenwood. Kate, our Community Development Worker is present in both local communities to deliver engaging activities and programmes for the community to get involved in as well as support with Universal Credit, accessing online services. Kate is available for a coffee and chat to see what other ways she can be of support as well, call along to the venues to speak to her.

YMCA Community Café

YMCA Cafe produces wholesome homecooked food for our locals. From hearty Sunday roasts to sweet treats, every menu item is made using local ingredients and lovingly prepared by YMCA staff.

Buffets are available from the café, prices starting at £3 per head. Phone the cafe on 01388 718770 to discuss what we can offer. 

Cafe opening hours:

Tuesday & Thursday
9:30am – 2:30pm

Friday
9:30am – 4:30pm

Lipscomb Hall, Bishop Auckland DL13 5DL

Case Studies

Intergen Story

Our intergenerational project sees a group of young people from our Barnard Castle youth club go up to a local care home and work with the residents once a month to complete a craft project. 

 

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Trevor’s story

CA gentleman that attends our Senior Lunch Club tells us how much a trip to Beamish Museum has provided a much deserved opportunity to explore a local heritage facility and the chance to interact with his peers in a very different way than previous. 

 

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Junk Fashion Project

The Junk Fashion project was delivered by The Bowes Museum where we saw young people from our youth club go to the Museum to work with others and create items that were sold in a pop up shop – all made from clothes that could not be used or sold! 

 

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Photography project

Funded by Northern Heartlands, we see a group of young people from our Barnard Castle youth club explore their local surroundings, learning about the area and their heritage as well as photography skills. They will be putting on an exhibition in April to showcase their favourite photos!

 

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Become a Volunteer Today

YMCA Teesdale provides a welcoming, warm, safe and secure environment where all are valued and happiness, enthusiasm and individuality is fostered.

 

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We’ve already helped over 100 young people this year

  • A welcoming, warm, safe and secure environment where all are valued and happiness, enthusiasm and individuality is fostered.
  • Developing self-esteem and confidence and encouraging independence, teamwork and consideration for everyone.
  • We promote equal opportunities for all. We recognise the unique abilities of each individual and provides support which is appropriate to their needs.

Our Mission

As a sustainable charity, we offer opportunities for a lasting personal and social change

Because of our Christian values:

  • We believe everyone has potential

  • We inspire each person we meet to nurture their body, mind and spirit

  • We serve our communities so that all can HOPE, BELONG, CONTRIBUTE and  THRIVE.

PARTNERSHIP & THANKS

We would like to say a HUGE thank you to…

Get in Touch. Get Involved.

We offer young people and the community a safe place in which all can learn and develop. Delivered by a team committed to ensuring all have the best chance of reaching the potential.

Lipscomb Hall, Cockfield, DL13 5DL

Call Us: 01388 718770