YMCA’s Easy Peasy Pods celebrates national award
A Suffolk based initiative from YMCA Trinity Group has won national recognition at the annual YMCA Youth Matters awards in London.
The programme, which supports young parents living in YMCA accommodation, allows parents and children to meet, socialise and take part in games and activities. Each six-week block of sessions is centred on a different children’s book with activities inspired by the stories. Parents also have the opportunity to participate in a paediatric first aid course.
Rhiannon and her son Isaac have taken part in the Easy Peasy Pods programme at YMCA Trinity Group’s Suffolk accommodation: “I could not be more grateful for having access to Easy Peasy Pods, it is a wonderful, safe environment where Isaac can grow, develop and make friends with the other babies that live in the YMCA. It really has changed my little family’s life!”
Easy Peasy Pods was presented with the Best Accommodation Project award at the annual YMCA Youth Matters awards in London. The awards recognise the achievements of young people, staff and volunteers from YMCA groups across the UK.
Helen Moore, Accommodation Team Leader and Manager of the Easy Peasy Pods project said: “We’re delighted with the progress Easy Peasy Pods has made. It’s a lovely way for young families to meet each other, share experiences and learn to relax and play together. I’m very proud of our volunteers, staff and participants who have all worked so hard on the project.”
Supporting the Easy Peasy Pods scheme is one of the suggestions in YMCA Trinity Group’s ‘24 Gifts of Christmas’ campaign. The campaign lists 24 fundraising ideas or random acts of kindness to help people make a difference to a young person like Rhiannon this Christmas.
Other ideas include donating old toys to the YMCA childcare facilities in Lowestoft, Ipswich and Grundisburgh, knitting a hat for a homeless person or taking on a sponsored challenge.
YMCA Trinity Group is a part of a federation of 113 independent YMCAs, forming the oldest and largest youth charity in the world.
If you are interested in making a donation or volunteering for YMCA Trinity Group please visit www.ymcatrinitygroup.org.uk or text COLD24 £10 to 70070 to donate to YMCA Trinity Group and make a difference today.