On 16th March 2021, The Scottish Parliament passed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill. Find out more on what this means at YMCA Scotland, here.
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The YMCA is the largest and oldest youth organisation in the world and YMCA Scotland represents 28 local YMCA Associations across Scotland.
YMCA is a federated model with 28 locally autonomous YMCAs working across Scotland and affiliating to YMCA Scotland.
This structure enables every YMCA to respond to the needs of their local communities, and puts local people at the heart of local YMCA decision making and governance.
80% of our YMCAs work in communities with the highest levels of social, economic, health and education needs. Working in the heart of communities, YMCA supports children, young people and their families to achieve their fullest potential
We work alongside partners in social work, other voluntary organisations, police, education and local churches.
Much of our work is delivered by volunteers and each local YMCA is governed by local people who make up the Board of Trustees.
YMCA is an inclusive Christian youth organisation, open to people of all faiths and none and we work to transform the lives of children and young people, empowering them to create positive change in their lives and communities.
We work with all children and young people in a non-judgemental and supportive manner, regardless of their beliefs or backgrounds to best support and empower young people.
Today, we provide opportunities for individuals to encounter the Christian faith through experiencing Christian values as embodied in our work, as well as those that follow a different religion or none.
You can find details of our most recent publications on this page. For archive materials please contact info@ymca.scot
Here are two films from our local YMCAs that show some of our work with young people.
‘From its inception in Scotland, it spread rapidly with 62 associations established by 1876. Throughout the war years, YMCA became well known for supporting families and those returning home from the front.
In addition, the British movement ran over 10,000 centres offering comfort, postal services and support to soldiers in the trenches during WW1.
On 16th March 2021, The Scottish Parliament passed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill. Find out more on what this means at YMCA Scotland, here.