Freemasons of the South Fylde Group’s, Lodge of Triumph No 1061, based in St Annes, were keen to support their local YMCA Supported Housing, Lytham Harbour House which offers 12 self-contained flats, with a gift of £350 from their installation meeting.
Darren Collins of the Lodge of Triumph said: “I knew about the brilliant work that the YMCA undertakes with providing safe, secure, affordable accommodation for young people aged between 16 and 24 years old. It is pleasing to hear that the YMCA youngsters thrive as they make a transition to independent living working with an education establishment or training provider.”
The YMCA operate on a Service Delivery Model and it clearly shows what can be expected from YMCA Harbour House. The model is based on full involvement and collaboration ensuring everyone has the opportunity to influence service design and delivery to meet personal needs. It is a holistic and personalised approach to giving support. Some examples of what the YMCA offer are; Safe, secure, affordable accommodation, person centred approach putting you in control of your support plan, a multi-agency approach to support to ensure you have access to the support you need, support to access training and education and to find employment, free access to other YMCA services including health and leisure facilities, youth clubs, youth engagement and empowerment and outdoor education through the National Citizen Service (NCS).
Support Worker, Aimee Townsend said: “The very generous gift of £350 from the local Freemasons will be used to buy essential homeware such as pots, pans and electrical items that young people will need within the supported housing units.”
Roger Weston, the 2023/24 master of Lodge of Triumph said: “During my year in the chair of our lodge we were very fortunate to be able to raise a total of £4,500, which has recently been distributed across a sizeable number of local and national charities. It is very important to us as Freemasons that our local communities can be made more aware of how proceeds from our fundraising are being used to make significant improvements to the lives of those around us.”
Report and picture by John Topping.