YMCA Exeter is celebrating after being awarded almost £10,000 in National Lottery funding to support their work with homeless young people. Based in St David’s Hill in Exeter, the cash will be used to run a series of therapeutic activities to improve wellbeing and physical health for young people.

Founded by local philanthropist John Dinham in 1846, YMCA Exeter now supports about 400 young people and children across Exeter, East and North Devon, providing opportunities so young people can overcome difficult circumstances and embrace their potential in body, mind and spirit.

YMCA Exeter, which runs supported accommodation across the city for previously homeless young people, will use funding from the National Lottery to launch a new health and wellbeing project later this month.

Activities will include outdoor pursuits, a new walking group and lessons from a personal trainer about leading an active lifestyle.

The new funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, which distributes money raised by National Lottery players for good causes and is the largest community funder in the UK, will enable disadvantaged young people to take part in activities they have never experienced before as well as build their confidence and their peer support networks too.

Si Johns, Joint CEO, said:

“We’re delighted that The National Lottery Community Fund has recognised our work in this way. Now, thanks to National Lottery players we will be able to develop our wellbeing project and give young people increased access to opportunities they have never had before. This funding will also enable us to trial innovative ways of building young people’s resilience and our learning will inform the development of our new mental health service launching this year.”