LAKESIDE LADIES

YMCA Lakeside is an outward bounds centre, situated on Lake Windermere. On Monday 2nd March, 4 members accompanied by YMCA staff set off for a 4 day residential which offered to be challenging for all involved; members and staff alike.
The journey to the centre went well, with everyone excited about the 4 days ahead. There were grumbles from our driver; when the bus failed to go much above 50 mph or slip into gear. And a near miss incident with a cigarette and a petrol station didn't go down well. Besides this all went well and we arrived, in one piece, at our intended destination within 3 hours.
After settling in to lodge number 3, we were inducted by our leaders who would be with us on all activities for the week. Chris and Sarah welcomed use with patience; am sure they were not used to a gang of loud women all asking questions at the same time in scouse. They did well and answered all our questions and queries before showing us to the dining room for our first meal.
All fed and watered, we waited for our first activity to commence. We were greeted at our lodge by our leaders, plus Bryn another leader and told we were all to be blind folded; this as you may imagine drew gasps, apprehensive questions and giggles as all were lunged into darkness as the blind folds were put into place. Walking in a line, with our arms outstretched onto the person in fronts we had to guide each other forward, through obstacles, over obstacles and in and out of very muddy puddles. The YMCA staff bowed out gracefully after going through the first muddy puddle. On doing so allowed the girls to communicate with each other through the course without the guidance of the staff, who being honest had cheated by either removing there blind fold, or peeking underneath it. After completing the course twice, communication between all involved was excellent. Afterwards the girls were asked for their opinions.

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City of Liverpool YMCA Awarded First Insync Standards Accreditation

2 April 2009) YMCAs gathered last weekend at the University of Warwick for their annual National Assembly bringing together hundreds of people from across the country to celebrate the achievements of the YMCA movement and to award the first-ever Insync Standards Accreditation to Liverpool YMCA.

YMCA England National Secretary Ian Green said, 'The YMCA Movement is dedicated to improving the lives of young people, and our National Assembly is the one time that all 135 YMCAs can come together as a national movement to celebrate young people and the work we do.'

During the three day gathering, Liverpool YMCA was recognised as the first YMCA to complete the Insync Standards process first launched in 2007. Endorsed by the Charity Commission, Insync Standards is a quality assessment that YMCAs can work toward to illustrate the quality and effectiveness of their offerings.

City of Liverpool YMCA Chief Executive Darren Lyons said, 'Our YMCA worked really hard on completing the Insync Standards process. It was an important goal for our YMCA, and I am really proud that we are the first YMCA in all of England to complete the process.'

'I would like to extend my congratulations to Liverpool YMCA for completing the Insync Standards process', said National Secretary Ian Green. 'Insync Standards is a rigorous, but important means for YMCAs to demonstrate that their services are of the highest quality and greatest benefit to the young people they serve.'

Lead by young people, the 2009 National Assembly included workshops for YMCAs to engage in topics of interest to them, a talent show on Saturday night, sport activities and lively debates on issues affecting the YMCA Movement and young people. There was also a special presentation by Sutton Coldfield YMCA's K-Kats, a 13-19 year old group of young people with special needs.

Focusing on how YMCAs help young people belong, contribute and thrive, the 2009 National Assembly ended with a moving presentation by Y-Care International on the work they are doing in Sierra Leone, India and Honduras. Young people also talked about their participation in the international Youth Justice In Action campaign, recently returning from a trip to the United Nations in Geneva.

Next year's National Assembly will be held on the 9, 10 and 11 of April in Nottingham

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