Investment announced for Discovery College along with expansion of its youth mentoring programme
Plymouth City Council and YMCA Plymouth’s Discovery College are working in partnership to help people access the right training and skills they need to get into work, thanks to funding secured from the UK Government through our joint application to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Capital investment has also been announced for Discovery College, which will fund the refurbishment of the college facilities including new smart screens, classroom furniture and much more.
A key part of the funding is the expansion of our My Future youth mentoring programme. A launch event will be hosted on 12th June at YMCA where you can come along to learn about how to get involved with this exciting programme.
Renowned Plymouth restaurant team is set to take over community café at YMCA Plymouth
After two-and-a-half successful years at the helm, the Bill’s Boys Bistro team are hanging up their chef’s hats and moving on to new ventures. Whilst it is with a heavy heart that they’re moving on, it is also exciting times for our community canteen, as the owners of the esteemed Brazilian restaurant Lost in Rio, will be stepping into the management shoes.
The new owners are set to bring some Brazilian flare to the menu while continuing to deliver the much-loved favourites people have come to enjoy with the current bistro team.
Mental Health Awareness Week marked across our centre
Recently, it was Mental Health Awareness Week and students across our Discovery College organised a range of activities based around shining a spotlight on how we can all look after and support our mental health. Activities included mindful colouring, a cake sale, ‘tea talks’, as well as sports and games in our sports hall.
Our Every Man Matters men’s mental health group have also put together a short video sharing some of their stories of what the weekly informal men’s talking group means to them.
You can watch the video to hear their stories over on TikTok or Facebook.
YMCA Plymouth and our Discovery College are now proudly part of the Armed Forces Covenant
YMCA Plymouth has a long history of supporting those we serve and their families. We’re delighted to announce we’ve now officially pledged our support by joining the Armed Forces Covenant.
Royal Navy service men and women joined our Discovery College Public Services students in recognising our commitment earlier this month. The commitment outlines a range of measures we’re taking as an organisation to support the people who serve, from discounted fitness memberships, to providing career pathways for young people to join the services through our Discovery College.
Our cafe is offering free food and drink on Friday evenings
We’re continuing to run our ‘Warm Space’ initiative that opened our up Bistro throughout the winter to anyone wanting to enjoy free food and drink, along with games and a safe space to stay.
Now called a Welcome Space, the free open slot on Friday evenings will be running all year around thanks to the support from another local charity, ‘Transforming Plymouth Together’.
So if you’re looking for somewhere to cool off or avoid the rain on a Friday evening this summer, be sure to drop into our Welcome Space found upstairs from reception.
Learn more
Giveaway winner + new competition to win a £200 Amazon voucher for our gym members
Last month we ran our Google Earbuds Giveaway competition and we are pleased to announce it was won by one of our gym members, Andy!
If you missed out on this giveaway then don’t worry because our partners at Precor are running another!
This time you can win a £200 Amazon voucher. To enter all you need to do is be a gym member at our YMCA and answer their quick survey about your exercise habits and routine.
Good luck!
With another half-term just finished we’re already gearing up for our big summer Holiday Club for 8-16s from 29th July! Once again we can offer limited free spaces so please book soon to avoid disappointment.
