YMCA Fylde Coast’s Y: Women Can project has reached the finals of a prestigious national youth awards ceremony, due to be hosted by TV presenter June Sarpong MBE.
The local youth charity, which has operated throughout Fylde for the past 94 years, will compete against YMCA Norfolk and YMCA Southend for the title of Health & Wellbeing Project of the Year in the annual Youth Matters Awards.
Youth Matters is YMCA’s national awards programme that has been an integral part of the charity’s calendar since 2009. Other categories at Youth Matters include YMCA of the Year, Young Leader of the Year, Young Volunteer of the Year, Young Achiever of the Year and Young Worker of the Year.
YMCA Fylde Coast’s project made it through to the finals after being shortlisted by YMCA judges and finishing in the top three of a rigorous public vote. The programme has successfully managed to empower and encourage more women to become physically active throughout the Fylde Coast.
Since January, over 600 new ladies aged 14+ have attended and enjoyed at least one the many Y: Women Can sessions. This has meant that the sessions have so far received over 2000 visits. The project has over 7 different venues which operate over a 10 mile radius, allowing women from different towns, villages and cities to enjoy and be part of this project.
Y: Women Can continues to go from strength to strength. All those involved within this unique project aim to ensure that all of our current and new sessions continue to be a success and remain focused on ensuring that health & wellbeing improves, new friendships are formed and current friendships continue to flourish.
John Cronin, Chief Executive of YMCA Fylde Coast said: “We feel incredibly privileged to be a finalist at these awards. We are representing everything great about the YMCA, including our staff, volunteers, the community and our young people.
“We hope everyone in the local community is proud of us and what we have achieved. We thank everyone who voted for us”
The overall winner in each category will be announced at a glittering awards ceremony at the exclusive central London venue, 8 Northumberland Avenue, on Friday 4 November.
Youth Matters celebrates the outstanding skills and achievements of young people from across the country. It also recognises the vital work that YMCAs deliver every day to help transform the lives of young people and give them a brighter future.
The Health & Wellbeing Project of the Year award recognises YMCAs that have delivered innovative and inspiring projects that have had a tangible and positive impact on young people and/or the wider community.
For more information on Youth Matters, visit www.ymca.org.uk/awards. For more information on YMCA Fylde Coast and Y: Women Can, visit www.ymcayactive.org or call 01253 724117
Pictured (L-R) ‘Y-Women Can Team’ – Michael Harrison (YMCA Senior Marketing Manager), Jonas Bartle (Y: Women Can Coordinator), Danielle Beesley (Y: Women Can Coach) & David Lean (YMCA Dry Site Senior Manager)