Be A Brick And Help Young People Build A Future

Published on: 3 Dec, 2012
Updated on: 3 Dec, 2012

Guildford YMCA is launching a fundraising campaign calling on supporters to ‘Be a Brick’ to raise funds to convert and extend the basement level of the Y Centre, its Bridge Street building.

Guildford YMCA’s chief executive officer, Pete Brayne (at the back wearing a hard hat), with members of its latest Prince’s Trust Team promoting the Be a Brick campaign.

With the highest ever rate of unemployment among those under 25, the need to support young people has increased significantly and the YMCA needs to develop new facilities to better provide space for learning, development and training.

Up to 53 young people call the YMCA home, having nowhere else to live, and the Youth Projects department, run under the brand of Plantation in Market Street, Guildford, has seen significant growth.

Next year developments within the Bridge Street building will provide new facilities and bring both streams of work under one roof. This will include creating a large new resource area for residents and two new flexible spaces for the various youth programmes.

Thanks to the funds raised already, work will start after Christmas. Later in 2013 the Plantation Café will be relocated to the Y Centre with a new entrance near the river.

Guildford YMCA needs to raise £500,000. Supporters have already donated and pledged £170,000 and the YMCA is committing £100,000 from reserves. This means a first phase of development can start in the new year. Seeing the plans start to become a reality will be exciting. Can you ‘Be a Brick’ and help us raise the funds needed to complete the project?

YMCA CEO Pete Brayne said: “Guildford YMCA simply wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for the support of the local community. Although records of a YMCA in Guildford go back to 1870, it took a major leap forward in 1989 when local people raised £500,000 to help build this hostel.

“In 1998 another £500,000 was raised to launch Plantation. We now need another £500,000 to respond to the changing needs of young people in 2012.”

The Be a Brick campaign is appealing to those in the community who value the work of the YMCA with young people. Making a donation is simple, online at www.beabrick.org.uk or by sending a cheque to Be a Brick, Guildford YMCA, Bridge Street, Guildford, GU1 4SB.

Card payments can even be made over the phone by calling Chris McSween on 01483 448784.