It has been a fantastic week at the YMCA Community & Activity Village, with hundreds of local people coming together to celebrate, compete, build friendships and try new experiences.
From our 4th Birthday Celebration and NICAS Climbing Competition to a Home Education Sports Day and our very first Inclusive Games, the week highlighted the incredible community that continues to grow at YMCA Newark & Sherwood.
Over 300 Families Celebrate Four Years of YMCA Village
On Saturday 18 July, more than 300 families joined us for our YMCA Village 4th Birthday Celebration.
The event marked four years since the opening of the YMCA Community & Activity Village and provided a fantastic opportunity for families to experience the wide range of activities, facilities and programmes available across the site.
Children and young people enjoyed football, basketball, biking activities with Raleigh UK, family yoga, inflatables, baking, engineering challenges, 3D animation, family games and much more. Families also explored the Village Trail, visited community partner stands and enjoyed refreshments throughout the day.
Among those attending was Dean Skiba, who visited with friends and foster children supported through the Mockingbird fostering community programme.
“We were really impressed with the range of activities available throughout the day. The children absolutely loved the bike tracks and being able to try so many different things. It was fantastic to see so many families enjoying the Village together and discovering everything that’s on offer here.”
Alongside the celebrations, our Climbing Centre hosted a special NICAS Climbing Competition, with 17 young people taking part.
The climbers attend sessions as part of the National Indoor Climbing Award Scheme (NICAS), developing skills, confidence and resilience while working towards nationally recognised climbing awards. The competition provided an opportunity for participants to showcase everything they have learned through their regular sessions.
For young people interested in getting started, NICAS Intro sessions will be running throughout the summer holidays, with full courses restarting in September.
The day was a wonderful celebration of everything that makes YMCA Village special and the opportunities available for children, young people and families across Newark and Sherwood.
Home Education Sports Day Brings the Year to a Positive Finish
On Monday 20 July, more than 40 young people from our Home Education programme came together for an end-of-year Sports Day.
Held on the Village athletics facilities, the event featured a variety of traditional races and challenges including egg and spoon races, bean bag races, sack races, skipping races, baton relays, long jump and 25m, 50m and 100m sprint competitions.
The Sports Day marked the culmination of another successful year for our Home Education programme, which supports local home-educating families through a broad range of educational, creative, physical and social opportunities.
Throughout the year, participants have taken part in activities including sports, climbing, outdoor learning, enrichment sessions and social experiences that help young people grow in confidence, build friendships and develop a strong sense of belonging.
The event was a fitting celebration of the friendships, teamwork and community spirit that have flourished throughout the year, and we look forward to welcoming families back when the programme returns in September.
Inclusive Games Celebrate Ability, Achievement and Friendship
On Tuesday 21 July, we were delighted to host our first-ever Inclusive Games, bringing together young people and adults with disabilities for a morning of achievement, participation and fun.
Many of those taking part regularly attend our inclusive Boccia and Table Tennis sessions, which have become a valued part of the Village’s weekly programme.
Participants enjoyed a range of athletics-inspired activities, including egg and spoon races, bean bag races and the long jump. One of the highlights of the morning was the long jump competition, where participants encouraged one another, celebrated personal achievements and demonstrated the supportive spirit that defines the group.
The event also provided an opportunity to recognise individuals through awards linked to YMCA’s core values of Responsibility, Honesty, Caring and Respect.
Among the award recipients was Sofie Bates, who was delighted to receive the YMCA Award for Responsibility alongside her participation medal.
Her carer, Gemma Scott, said:
“We’ve been coming to the Boccia sessions at the YMCA since they started and it’s been wonderful to see how friendships have formed and confidence has grown. Sofie has loved taking part in all the activities today and was thrilled with her medal and receiving the YMCA Award for Responsibility.”
The Inclusive Games demonstrated how accessible opportunities can help build confidence, create friendships and ensure everyone has the chance to participate and thrive.
Building Community Every Day
Over the last four years, the YMCA Community & Activity Village has become a vibrant hub for people of all ages across Newark and Sherwood.
From parent and baby groups, youth activities and Home Education programmes, to climbing, inclusive sport, wellbeing activities, family events and community lunches, the Village provides opportunities for people to connect, learn and grow.
The diversity of activity on offer was reflected throughout the week, with families celebrating the Village’s fourth birthday, home-educated children enjoying a year-end sports day, young climbers demonstrating their progress through NICAS, and participants with disabilities taking part in our first Inclusive Games.
Steffen Benbow, Executive Director of Children, Youth & Families at YMCA Newark & Sherwood, said:
“These events perfectly demonstrate what the YMCA Village is all about. We’ve seen hundreds of people come together to celebrate, compete, make friends, develop new skills and simply enjoy being part of their community.
“Four years on from opening the Village, we continue to see the positive impact that these opportunities have on local people. What makes the YMCA Village special is that it brings people together at every stage of life.”
As we celebrate four years of YMCA Village, we’re excited to continue creating opportunities that help people belong, contribute and thrive together in our community.
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