YMCA Cornwall, a charity based in Penzance, has received a significant boost in its efforts to provide housing for vulnerable young people. The Duke of Cornwall’s charitable foundation has donated £70,000, supporting the organization’s campaign titled “Your Help, Their Future.” This new campaign hopes to raise £250,000 to increase the number of accommodation opportunities for young people with the most challenging circumstances.
YMCA Cornwall has become an indispensable community resource. It hosts an alternative living environment and safe space for 46 youths between 16 and 25 years old. Each resident has their own studio unit, with living room, kitchenette and bath. This configuration gives them the agency to achieve autonomy. Helen Wilson-Prowse, the operations manager at YMCA Cornwall, told the BBC that the programme was “life-changing”.
“We provide supported accommodation for vulnerable young people. They are here because they might otherwise be homeless,” Wilson-Prowse stated. She said, for too many of the residents she’s worked with, their own lives were derailed by family disintegration, mental health crises, or battle with addiction. With holistic wrap-around support, YMCA Cornwall are giving their young residents the tools they need to live independently.
That was the case for resident Charlie, who opened up about his life before moving into YMCA Cornwall. “Before I got here I was in a council hotel. I was all on my own but there’s other people who aren’t as lucky as me, which is really bad,” he noted. His story is a compelling reminder of how critical these services are in the community.
In addition to short- and long-term housing solutions, YMCA Cornwall offers on-site services such as a café and youth spaces, deepening their commitment to community connections. The non-profit is currently working to recruit local tradesmen and suppliers to volunteer their time and materials for the myriad of ongoing projects. Wilson-Prowse expressed the need for volunteers who can dedicate their time to DIY activities, stating, “We’d like to partner with organisations that might supply building materials for the project or perhaps volunteers that can come and paint when it comes to that stage.”
The flats are homes and therapeutic spaces that provide community and support to young people. They serve as a bridge, assisting them in their journey toward independent living. One resident, who is now studying media at Truro and Penwith College, is a testament to the positive difference YMCA Cornwall’s creative programming has made.
The Duke of Cornwall’s donation marks a significant milestone in YMCA Cornwall’s fundraising efforts as it works towards achieving its goal through the “Your Help, Their Future” campaign. This endorsement shines a light on the resources of the Duke of Cornwall’s charitable foundation. They are doing the hard, important work of transforming the lives of at-risk youth.
“I thought I would never ever be here. I may be here on my own in the flat sometimes but, in reality, I’m not – I’ve got people all around me.” – Helen Wilson-Prowse
