Horsham YMCA
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In 1898 the Christian young men of Horsham town came together to agree that what this town needed was a YMCA. At that time there was nothing by way of sport or recreation in the area. Within 2 years they were organising football, running, cricket teams, life saving, cycling, overseas mission, libraries and the ever important Bible studies. A vast programme all run by volunteers. It wasn't until 2004 that we employed our first staff members to work on the Needles estate at the request of the council.
Every local YMCA is totally autonomous and not accountable to any head office. We are affiliated to a National body, YMCA England, who give help and advice but we stand or fall by our own efforts so today it is very much a business that we have to manage prudently.
Many of the original members became household names in Horsham and went on to hold high office and their repututation is also good.
During the last war the local YMCA once more played its part and was very busy in several buildings in the town looking after the Service Personnel and helped set up the Canadians own Y Centre in North Street.
Youth programmes continued until the sixties when the Boys Club opened in Hurst Road and they concentrated on their football programme at Gorings Mead but this was all about to change.
Five years ago the Horsham District Council faced a problem in that they had to meet new government targets of providing accommodation for young people. They heard about what was going on at Guildford YMCA where they had 132 residents a restaurant and conference facility with programmes for the disabled and the very young. Since the opening of their new building they had operated a summer camp scheme with over 500 young people taking part, organised personal development trips to India, opened a Youth Café and Advice Centre with a doctor and nurse available 3 sessions a week. 23 youth workers employed in schools, the local church, café and helping disaffected young people over the issue of expulsion the programme went on and on.
When HDC saw it first hand and realised Alex Cloke (the then CEO of Guildford) lived in Horsham and was about to retire they asked him if it were possible to achieve something similar in Horsham. It was a big ask for a site had to be identified and paid for, government funding obtained to meet the bulk of the cost, and a fund raising campaign to raise the money for furniture and fittings. In addition a new Board of management chaired by Michael Checkland needed to be recruited who could manage the extra responsibilities.
Now a staff team led by Peter Scofield (CEO) of about 15 runs the Y Centre and the work in the community.
The Y Centre has 48 single flats. Each flat has its own (or shared between 2) shower and kitchen. As the 2 year mark looms the staff are establishing programmes for the residents to partake in.
For more information check out: Horsham YMCA
Sir George Williams YMCA Horsham
