About

YMCA Edinburgh is part of an inclusive global Christian movement that gives all, especially young people, space and opportunity to belong, contribute and thrive.

We are an ecumenical Christian Charity open to people of all faiths and none.

We offer a range of tailored programmes including; playrangers, playscheme and holiday clubs, after school and youth clubs, mentoring for vulnerable young people, schools work supporting transition and support for women and families.

Locations

Although training and support for intandem volunteer mentors is based in our main premises in Junction Place, Leith, the volunteer mentors from all our mentoring projects meet young people in their local communities all over Edinburgh.

Aims

YMCA Edinburgh was established in 2006 having grown out of a project in Leith which was run by the local Methodist Church in the 1980s. In 2016 we worked with 985 people giving them a place to belong, opportunities to contribute and ultimately thrive. YMCA Edinburgh works to empower young people, children and their families in Leith and across Edinburgh to transform their lives.

intandem seeks to support children and young people aged 8-14 years who are looked after at home. Most of the young people that intandem matches with a mentor face many difficulties with many having had experiences of inconsistent, unreliable or disrupted relationships with adults.

intandem seeks to offer these young people a different experience – one where they have opportunities for new and positive activities, where they have choices, where they can learn to trust their own judgement and where they can have fun.

We work together to provide:

• regular weekly visits with a volunteer mentor who holds the young person in positive regard,
• access to age appropriate activities
• support from experienced and informed staff
• enough time to build a relationship which allows the young person to develop confidence, skills and resilience