A guest blog from YMCA, who this year will be supporting us with our youth work at the festival, hosting the Den youth venue, and doing all sorts of great stuff with young people across the festival.
As the largest and oldest youth charity in the world, YMCA has had significant experience working with young people. YMCA is an international movement that enables people to develop their full potential in mind, body and spirit. Inspired by, and faithful to, our Christian values, we create supportive, inclusive and energising communities, where young people can truly belong, contribute and thrive.
We’re passionate about empowering young people across the UK to fulfil their potential.
While each YMCA is its own individual charity, we understand that we are stronger when we come together, and hence intentionally do so to give a national voice for local young people.
We have a rich history at Greenbelt – many will have been to the International Café a few years back, or taken part in the various activities we’ve run across site for young people at the festival in the past. We love coming to the Festival and love what it does and stands for. Our staff, volunteers and young people have also thoroughly enjoyed coming to the Festival over the years, and we’ve seen many of them grow both as individuals and in faith.
We’re excited to return this year to run an array of activities from The Den and around the site. Some highlights include:
- Every Which Way: An hour in The Den each day where we’ll be playing games, getting to know inspiring young people, holding interactive talks and discussions and introducing you to some of the activities and programming across the site for you to enjoy
- Honest to God: A daily time to reflect, be refreshed and connect with God
- Giant Inflatables
- Ultimate Frisbee and Zorb Football games
- The opportunity to drop in and hang out with our qualified youth workers and just be.
Over the past few years ( and again this year) we have brought a number of volunteers to run the showers on site … which is obviously a very important job! Volunteers are the bedrock of YMCA’s work, both nationally and internationally, and we are grateful to all of our volunteers who have given up their time, gifts and talents to ensure that we can undertake our work, including Greenbelt.
We love coming to Greenbelt and are looking forward to our role at the Festival this year. More than that, we’re looking forward to meeting all the young people who will spend Bank Holiday Weekend at the Festival.
Before you come, why not check us out online, on Facebook or Twitter, @YMCA_England.