Ashley King, from Kirkcaldy YMCA, was awarded Mentor of the Year at the Scottish Mentoring Network Annual Meeting last November. Despite the tragic death of her son last year, she has continued to volunteer.

While most of us will be tucking into turkey with all the trimmings, thousands of young Scottish people face a festive season without food, warmth, shelter or company.

Andrew, from Aberdeen YMCA, talked about the impact that YMCA175 had on him at our Annual Business Meeting.

With a few weeks to go until the UK votes for its next government, YMCA has released its manifesto calling on political parties and candidates to deliver a new era for youth, with policies tailored to give each young person the opportunity to live their best lives.

Read our 175th anniversary year Annual Report

At the end of the Second World War, the whole of Europe was in turmoil as new demands were being made on every aid agency.

I got involved with YMCA Scotland’s heritage project after applying to become a heritage ambassador, this was part of a Heritage Lottery funded project encouraging young people to get more involved in the heritage of their charity. 

HRH Princess Anne the Princess Royal has officially opened YMCA Scotland’s new offices at Chesser Avenue in Edinburgh.

Penicuik YMCA-YWCA has announced the appointment of Scott MacFarlane as its new CEO. The appointment will help the centre, which specialises in services to young people, to continue to expand and develop into new areas of provision to meet the needs of the local community.

We’re thrilled to announce that YMCA Edinburgh has been awarded £5000 – the maximum amount that could be awarded – to fund the development of their women’s group. The group supports women, from all ages and background, who are socially isolated.

When Andy McGovern lived in Australia, he shared a flat with the man who was running Transtion Bondi, a sustainable living community. Through that relationship, he was exposed to new ideas around gardening and sustainability and also got the opportunity to visit many gardening projects.

YMCA Scotland has formed a partnership with Esher House, a behavioural science training consultancy as part of the Youthworks programme. Last month, 12 YMCA staff members took part in the training.

I wanted to be strong for my family and I supported my mum as much as possible. I didn’t want to lose the family I had left, so I put a brave face on and acted as if I was okay – I really wasn’t.

Journey to Freedom is an 8-week programme, during which inmates are encouraged to consider the role that self-esteem, fear, relationships, faith and past experiences play in their lives.

I became homeless after splitting up with my girlfriend because my mental health was deteriorating. Having been in care, I had no idea what to do next. Thankfully, my social worker helped me get a place in YMCA Glenrothes’ supported accommodation.

I was born in Hyderabad in South India. I completed an M.Sc in Nutrition and Dietetics in India where I worked as a Lecturer. After I got married, my husband and I traveled a lot. We finally settled in Edinburgh 9 years ago.