Did You Know?
Finance
- 6 months of management accounts issued, with issue date now brought forward to the second week of the following month. This was achieved by developing the accounts production process and streamlining finance processes.
- A project is in place for the implementation of one sales ledger for the organisation to be effective from 1 April 2009.
- The budget for 2009/2010 is in the review meeting stage, well ahead compared to last year.
- Phil Taylor has now passed 3/5 sets of exams to gain the CIMA
Business Certificate.
IT
- Sage is now being used via Terminal Server, which allows relevant people to access our Sage accounts from anywhere in the world.
- A much faster and brand new data server has been installed at Mansfield, eradicating issues caused by the existing failing server, which has lasted two years longer than the life expectancy estimate.
- The new ‘online’ payroll submission sheet will be used from April 2009, resulting in the auto-calculation of staff’s salary payments, removing the accuracy and time constraint issues from those who usually have to perform the calculations themselves. It also calculates accurate salary payments for new starters and also leavers – including provision for sick pay, which is very complicated, as length of service dictates the limit of paid sickness allowance.
HR
- 23 internal training courses have been run since 1 April 2008 on subjects such as Managing Performance, First Aid, IT, Equality & Diversity and Induction.
- 70 staff from across the Association attended the Visioning Event in March
2009.
- 58 people have started work with us since 1 April, including relief staff etc.
Christian & Spiritual Development
- 5 Gym Pastors, including Bishop Tony and the new vicar of St Peter’s, St Mary’s and All Saints are now covering sessions in the gym at Shakespeare Street.
- 14 residents have so far attended Ethics courses run by Rob Hurd at Mansfield.
Mansfield & Ashfield
- A resident came to staff with an idea that she would like to bring youth work into the Hostel in the evenings to help stop anti-social behaviour. After several meetings trying to find the finances to support the project, a ‘funder’ was sourced in the form of the ‘Youth Initiative Fund’. The resident liaised with the funding officer at Mansfield, completed the application form and submitted the proposal which was successful and Youth Work sessions are now being delivered in the hostel thanks to her efforts.
- Case Study Beneficiary X is 24 years old and is a typical example of a resident who has come to the YMCA for help to change their life. From the age of 13 he has lived on the streets and struggled with a heroin addiction. Since engaging in the coffee shop scheme his social and vocational skills have improved and he now participates in the Food Health & Hygiene Course.
- Mansfield & Ashfield YMCA have been awarded a Post 16 NEET County contract for £31000. This is intended to raise the aspirations and achievements of young people aged 16-19 who are NEET or at risk of becoming NEET by:
- Initial assessment, including identifying learner support needs
- Development of Individual Learning Plan
- Vocational training accredited at Level 1 or vocational tasters
- Confidence, personal and social development – progress to be evidenced
- Employability skills including work experience or community placements and job search
- Raising self-esteem and aspiration – progress to be evidenced
- Accredited skills for life
- Links with Connexions PA to support learners’ IAG
Business Development
- Funding – there has been success with bids for new and existing programmes, from fundamental staff positions at the ICC and Shakespeare Street to an innovative and ground-breaking music project!
- Stuart Hinchliff, our new Digital Design genius, has developed new web-sites for YMCA Digital and Nottinghamshire YMCA with more on the way, so watch this space for a fresh and exciting new way to engage with your YMCAs, locally,
nationally and soon possibly internationally.
- Other media work – in a real partnership approach two departments from the YMCA (Business Development/PR and Youth Work) have teamed up to produce a fantastic radio advert for broadcast over Trent FM’s airwaves. This, coupled with the web-site, means that we will be music to your ears!
Mansfield Supported Living
- In January there were no evictions.
- In January/February 9 residents had positive ‘move-ons’.
- In January 21 residents positively engaged with the Education and Training team.
Shakespeare Street Supported Living
- Between Oct and Dec 2008 8 residents gained employment.
- 29 attended courses.
- In January/February 18 residents had positive move-ons into independent accommodation.
International Community Centre
- There are now 115 groups using the Centre on a regular basis.
YMCA Digital Department
- The YMCA Digital Department recently received funding of £19,433 to run an innovative new youth programme both in the City and in the County. The programme is called NG Fuzion and will bring together the vocal/creative music-making elements of choral singing, beatboxing, MC-ing and rapping. Different groups from around the County will learn the new skill taught by industry professionals and come together to do a number of high profile performances to the public as a celebration of their learned skills.
- The Department is running programmes at a Framework Youth Hostel at Fritchley Court in Mansfield making a music video and a documentary with homeless young people who live in the hostel. The two videos are aimed to tackle gun and knife crime issues which take place in the area.
- YMCA Digital has also been running sessions sponsored by the Media Trust. It was commissioned to make three films with young people about issues which really matter to them. The films will soon be screened on the Community Channel on Sky Television.
Shakespeare Street Health & Fitness
- Martin Corry, former English rugby captain, formally opened the extended gym this week. Julie Liggins managed to secure the presence of BBC Radio Nottingham and Central Television News.
Current Issues
- We are operating with 6 less staff compared to this time last year and many staff are working over and beyond their contracted hours, for which I am very grateful.
