Our family and youth work at YMCA aims to create a nurturing environment that fosters strong family bonds and a resilient community. By supporting individuals and families in West Cheltenham and beyond, we help them flourish and find hope through encouraging strong family relationships, mobilising partner organisations, and providing safe spaces for parents and children.
These efforts lead to significant benefits, such as parents becoming more confident and better equipped to handle the stresses of family life, families creating their own support networks, and local children growing up in a safe and secure environment.
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Family Space at YMCA Cheltenham provides comprehensive support for families, offering a range of services designed to foster community connections and enhance family well-being.
Our programmes include food support, child contact services, befriending, playgroups, and holiday activities, ensuring families have the resources and support they need to thrive.
The Cheltenham Child Contact Centre offers a safe, neutral space for children to connect with parents. Open every other Saturday from 1-3 pm, the centre supports seamless handovers and supervised visits. Trained staff and volunteers ensure confidentiality and safety, fostering positive interactions in a supportive environment.
Stay & Play groups provide a safe and friendly place for parents to enjoy playtime with their children. These sessions offer a chance to meet other parents and better understand child play and behaviour, preparing children for playgroup or nursery. Sessions include free play, craft, snack time, and singing.
"Time Out for Mums" is a weekly 2-hour session where mums can relax, learn new skills, and engage in recreational and craft activities. It's a chance to make new friends, gain confidence, and receive parenting advice from our supportive staff. Enjoy some well-deserved time for yourself while benefiting both you and your children.
Cherry Blossom Pre School offers a holistic and inclusive learning environment for young children. Rooted in YMCA Cheltenham's values, we support families with a child-led approach. Spaces available for September 2024.
Feed Cheltenham supports local families facing food insecurity by working with a network of food pantries and organisations. We provide vouchers and raise funds to help families struggling with the cost of living.
At Cheltenham YMCA Family Space, our Holiday Activities (HAF) programme provides enriching activities during school holidays in a safe, inclusive environment. We offer sports, arts, educational workshops, and nutritious meals, supporting families during the break. Join us to keep children entertained, active, educated, safe, and fed.
When I look back now I can see how far I have came since joining Family Space. I now have more confidence and even though I still have slight bad days I’m much better then what I was. I don’t feel like I’m failing the children. Thank you so much to everyone who has supported me over the years and who still support me when I need them.”
– Mum supported by Family Space over the last 10 years.