Community Support
Each local YMCA is very much an integral part of their local community where they have put down deep roots. Consequently the local YMCA is in a unique place to respond to emerging needs in their communities. Usually this involves processes of listening and engaging in the development of responses. Occasionally a community can be hit by an unprecedented and unexpected event that requires all local providers including the YMCA to concentrate on that event. An example of this in the past year was the flooding that took place in the North West on 22 August 2017 where 76 mm of rain ( almost a month's supply) fell within 5 hours. An area particularly badly affected was the Drumahoe area and this meant that Londonderry YMCA came to play an important role in helping their community deal with the aftermath of the flood.
Each local YMCA is very much an integral part of their local community where they have put down deep roots. Consequently the local YMCA is in a unique place to respond to emerging needs in their communities. Usually this involves processes of listening and engaging in the development of responses. Occasionally a community can be hit by an unprecedented and unexpected event that requires all local providers including the YMCA to concentrate on that event. An example of this in the past year was the flooding that took place in the North West on 22 August 2017 where 76 mm of rain ( almost a month's supply) fell within 5 hours. An area particularly badly affected was the Drumahoe area and this meant that Londonderry YMCA came to play an important role in helping their community deal with the aftermath of the flood.
What did the YMCA seek to do?
What did the YMCA seek to do?
The main area impacted by the flooding had limited community infrastructure and there was no capacity to bring a collective action in addressing local needs. The YMCA became involved in helping to bring all the statutory agencies together to identify both the short and longer term responses that was necessary. This involved engaging the local Council, Rivers Agency, Housing Executive and Dept for Communities.
The main area impacted by the flooding had limited community infrastructure and there was no capacity to bring a collective action in addressing local needs. The YMCA became involved in helping to bring all the statutory agencies together to identify both the short and longer term responses that was necessary. This involved engaging the local Council, Rivers Agency, Housing Executive and Dept for Communities.
An important follow-on event was the Christmas party for 100 families that had been evacuated from their homes as a result of the flood and were still out over the Christmas period. In order to raise the funds for the event, the youth club and their parents organised this part and met all the targets. The local businesses were only too willing to help. They provided pampering sessions for the mums (hair, nails, massage etc) and the children had a massive play area established in our main hall. Santa provided excellent gifts for the children and there was wall to wall food. All was provided free of charge. The area that these families came from was a desolate site with skips and containers all over the place and no lights in the windows. YMCA volunteers procured a large Christmas tree, decorated it and had it erected at the entrance to the estate which helped to raise morale in the community.
An important follow-on event was the Christmas party for 100 families that had been evacuated from their homes as a result of the flood and were still out over the Christmas period. In order to raise the funds for the event, the youth club and their parents organised this part and met all the targets. The local businesses were only too willing to help. They provided pampering sessions for the mums (hair, nails, massage etc) and the children had a massive play area established in our main hall. Santa provided excellent gifts for the children and there was wall to wall food. All was provided free of charge. The area that these families came from was a desolate site with skips and containers all over the place and no lights in the windows. YMCA volunteers procured a large Christmas tree, decorated it and had it erected at the entrance to the estate which helped to raise morale in the community.
Some Quotes from Community Christmas Event
Some Quotes from Community Christmas Event
"Lovely relaxing night for the community so much on offer"
"Lovely relaxing night for the community so much on offer"
"Nice to have an evening that is all free at this time of year"
"Nice to have an evening that is all free at this time of year"
"Good to have a Santa that was able to make family links when talking to the children"
"Good to have a Santa that was able to make family links when talking to the children"
Aftermath of unprecedented flooding on the grounds of Londonderry YMCA
A royal visitor hears of the flood and the work of the YMCA in helping the local community respond