What’s New @ YMCA Plymouth?
We hope you are keeping well. Here’s the August news roundup from YMCA Plymouth
Excellent BTEC and T Level results for our Discovery College Students.
| Yesterday was a big day for many of our Discovery College students who have now completed their courses with us and received their BTEC and T Level results. We were delighted to see our pass rate once again higher than the national average, with almost every student receiving the results they needed to take their next step – either to university, employment or further training. Last-minute applications to join Discovery College in September are still available, so even if you have chosen your destination for September but aren’t totally sure, check out our website and register to come in for a visit in early September. Learn more |
Fantastic feedback for free SEND activity programme.
| Our free SEND activity programme, supported by Plymouth City Council, continues to be popular, offering 4 unique SEND activity sessions for children with additional needs each week. We recently surveyed parents to find out the difference these sessions make and were delighted to find that the sessions had helped improve the health of more than half of the children who joined; equally, more than half felt that attending had helped them progress in other areas of life, whilst over 80% feel more confident in themselves after attending. Talking about the difference the sessions make, one parent said: “My daughter has been attending the sessions at YMCA since January, and she absolutely loves it. The staff support the children brilliantly and are so patient and understanding of the children’s additional needs whilst also helping them grow in confidence and ability.” If you’re looking for something new for your child, website to learn more about what our SEND programme offers. Siblings are welcome to attend too and SEND diagnosis is not required to participate. Learn More |
Joan’s Heart Health Recovery at YMCA Plymouth.
| Recovering from a sudden, unexpected heart attack can be daunting, from maintaining a healthy lifestyle to rebuilding your confidence doing everyday things like playing with your grandchildren. Cardiac rehabilitation can feel like a long and sometimes difficult road. We recently had a chat with one of our Cardiac Rehab members, Joan, who, after finishing her formal programme, has continued to attend the sessions to help maintain her health for 6 years. Here, she talks about the challenges of first attending, as well as the rewards of sticking with it, like being able to keep up with her energetic granddaughter. Watch now |
New “Social Cycle” class starting in September.
| Group fitness is all about using the motivating power of exercising with others to help you get fit and actually enjoy showing up for your workout. We know simply connecting with others adds a huge mental health benefit alongside the physical results. Building on the success of our “social walking group”, we’re now introducing our very own indoor social cycle session, which is all about enjoying a chat whilst you pedal. We keep the background music low so you can easily chat, connect, and socialise with fellow riders, whilst moving at your own comfortable pace. It’s a great class for anyone who may be new to the spin studio, or those who just want something pressure-free. This class is part of our standard timetable but is also free for those on our active health programme. The class will be included in our newly amended timetable starting from 7th September. See the new timetable and class details below. Learn more |
Young people in Plymouth recognised at city-wide youth awards.
| Young people in Plymouth recognised at city-wide youth awards. In June, we were delighted to present and deliver the 3rd annual Plymouth Youth Awards, sponsored by Plymouth City Council. It was a truly heartwarming, inspiring and emotional night, shining a spotlight on some incredible young people in our city and recognising their achievements. From champions of everyday acts of kindness to innovative trailblazers, we celebrated them all. Watch our highlight video to see some of the evening’s magic |
Would you be a faithful or a traitor?
| Can you spot a traitor, or can you deceive the faithful? If you think you’ve got what it takes, then join The Plymouth Traitors 2026. Join the ultimate one-day immersive experience at Plymouth Marjon University that blends teamwork, deception, and strategy in a thrilling live game, all in aid of YMCA’s charitable work in Plymouth. This fun day will test your collaboration, communication, and intuition, all while helping raise vital funds for work supporting our local community. If you’re interested, click below to learn more or email kate.gannon@ymcaplymouth.org.uk. Learn more |
Do you know a community hero?
This October the Plymouth Community Awards are back! This evening is all about celebrating our entire Plymouth community and the incredible people who do the wonderful things that make it special. Nominations are open now for 16 award categories. If you know someone, a group or a team worth recognising, please give them a big thank you by submitting a nomination.
