YMCA buys a 'family home' in King's Lynn

2009: The completed purchase of a large family home in King’s Lynn has been celebrated with a barbecue. But this is no ordinary house, as it has had no fewer than 280 young people call it home over the last 11 years.

 

YMCA Norfolk has just completed the purchase of a large detached property on Woolstencroft Avenue in King’s Lynn from Co-Op Homes to go alongside two smaller houses in Gaywood which it already leases from King’s Lynn Baptist Church.

 

Between them, the properties provide a family home environment for up to 21 homeless and vulnerable young people between the ages of 16 and 24.

 

The homes come under the care of scheme manager Amanda Keegan, who has been involved with the houses and their residents for almost 11 years, and is delighted with the move: “This is great news for us and for all of our residents and the young people of King’s Lynn,” she said, “as the backing of YMCA Norfolk has secured the future for these vulnerable youngsters.

 

“In the last 11 years I have seen over 280 young people enter through the front doors and most have come to regard it as their own home.

 

"I love the work as much as the first day I started," said Amanda. "It just becomes part of your life. When you get the thank-you letters ten years later, then you know you have made a difference."

 

YMCA Norfolk chief executive officer, Tim Sweeting, who has been in post for less than a month, said: “We are excited to complete the purchase of this property, which will allow us to continue supporting young people in a safe family environment. We will be inviting our partners, stakeholders, staff and residents to a barbecue to mark our step forward so that we can celebrate with the community in which we are working.”

The barbecue was attended by YMCA Norfolk staff, including TIm Sweeting, house residents and King's Lynn mayor Councillor Michael Pitcher and his wife Gillian.