Liverpool YMCA

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 YMCA's 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 YMCA's 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 YMCA's 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 YMCA's 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