YMCA Barnsley

06/06/2026

On this day 182 years ago, George Williams, alongside 11 others, founded YMCA in London. Today, YMCA has grown to serve 65 million people across 120 countries.

6 June is a day to celebrate YMCA and all it has achieved, as well as our ongoing commitment to empowering young people and strengthening communities.

World YMCA 🌟

https://bit.ly/46VMDd5

06/06/2026

05/06/2026

World Drowning Prevention Day doesn’t officially land until 25th July, but we are starting the conversation early. Our hearts are heavy as our community remembers the 20 young people and adults who recently and so tragically lost their lives.

One life lost is already too many, and we refuse to let another family experience that heartbreak. 💔

Open water can look tempting when the weather warms up, but cold water shock and hidden currents are real. If you or a mate ever get into trouble, do not panic and thrash about.

Instead, follow the official RNLI Float to Live guidance to save your life:🔹 Tilt your head back with your ears submerged.🔹 Relax and try to breathe normally.🔹 Move your hands and legs gently to stay afloat.🔹 It’s OK if your legs sink—everyone floats differently!🔹 Spread your arms and legs out wide like a starfish to stay stable. Once your breathing is under control, you can then swim to safety or call for help.

Please hit SHARE. Let's look out for each other and make sure every single one of us makes it home safe this summer. 🤝☀️
Barnsley Council Central Area Team
Barnsley Council North Area Team

03/06/2026

🌟 Volunteers’ Week 2026 🌟
At YMCA Barnsley, we’re incredibly proud to celebrate and say a heartfelt thank you to all of our amazing volunteers. 💛
From supporting our governance and helping shape our organisation, to delivering impactful children’s and youth work, supporting community activities, and helping to care for our allotment spaces – your time, energy and commitment make a real difference every single day.
Because of you, children and young people have greater opportunities, our communities feel more connected, and YMCA Barnsley continues to thrive.
Your dedication never goes unnoticed – you are truly at the heart of everything we do. 🙌
Thank you for everything you give. We simply couldn’t do it without you.
💡 Inspired by our volunteers? We’re currently looking for new trustees to help guide our charity and allotment volunteers to support our green spaces.
If you’d like to make a difference in Barnsley, we’d love to hear from you—get in touch to find out more.
See less

01/06/2026

At our SEND session, the young people got creative making their own aquarium sensory jars! 🌊🐟
Using a variety of colours, decorations and sea-themed items, everyone designed a unique sensory jar to take home. The activity encouraged creativity, fine motor skills and provided a calming sensory experience as the young people watched their underwater scenes come to life.
It was wonderful to see everyone getting involved, sharing ideas and taking pride in their creations. Well done to all our young people for making such fantastic aquarium sensory jars! 💙🫙✨
A huge thank you to Beatson Clark for kindly donating the jars. Your support helped make the session possible, and the young people had a fantastic time creating them.

30/05/2026

29/05/2026

Some of our YMCA Voice & Influence group had a brilliant session getting stuck into allotment life – weeding, planting, cooking together, and of course finishing off with toasted marshmallows around the fire pit.
It wasn’t just about getting our hands dirty (though there was plenty of that 😄). It was about young people leading, sharing ideas, building confidence, and shaping their space together. Real conversations, real teamwork, and real ownership of the project.
There’s something powerful about slowing things down, working side by side, and creating something together – from planting veg to sharing food.
Proud of this group and the positive energy they bring.
&LIFoundation

28/05/2026

⚽️ Come join us at Darton Park! ⚽️
Lots of fun to be had for everyone 🌟
Why not test your skills on the football target challenge?
Can you beat your score? 👀🥅
Come along, have a go, and enjoy the fun! 🙌

28/05/2026

Many of our sessional and part time youth work staff have other jobs you know? Our Emily is an agent for Temple Spa, so last night at Y Stay In youth club she came along to treat some of our members and pass on her vast knowledge of skin care, important stuff particularly in the current heat wave. It was fab to learn, laugh and simply linger together in a safe and relaxed environment. Our wonderful community hall is always a welcoming and light space, tonight it sniffed beautiful too 😀🥰👃

28/05/2026

Yesterday our group had a lovely visit to Wentworth Castle Gardens 🌿🏰
The young people really enjoyed exploring the beautiful grounds and seeing the castle, before finishing the day with lots of fun playing on the park. It was great to see everyone laughing, exploring and enjoying being outdoors together 😊
A big thank you to Zoe for supporting the group while we were there — it was really appreciated 💛
Everyone had an amazing time and loved seeing the castle