Project work for our communities!
Our projects at YMCO respond to real community needs. Each is designed to create accessible spaces, programs and services that reflect the people we serve and the communities we support. Through thoughtful planning and community collaboration, our project work helps remove barriers, expand opportunity, and ensure YMCO remains a welcoming place for everyone.
Below are some of the ways our project based approach creates meaningful impact across ethnically diverse communities:
- Community-informed design – Projects are shaped by local voices, ensuring programs and spaces reflect cultural values, traditions, and lived experiences.
- Improved access and equity – Project work focuses on reducing financial, physical, and social barriers that can limit participation for underrepresented groups.
- Culturally responsive – Projects support programs that respect and celebrate different languages, backgrounds, and family structures.
- Stronger trust and belonging – Visible investment in diverse neighborhoods builds confidence, connection, and a sense of ownership within the community.
- Adaptability to changing needs – Project based initiatives allow us to respond quickly to evolving demographics and community priorities.
- Long term community impact – By addressing root challenges through targeted projects, we help create sustainable outcomes for families and future generations.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for a thoughtful and empowering session on Self Care vs Selfishness.
July 19, 2025
Together, we explored: * What self care really means * How to balance our needs without guilt * The difference between self preservation and selfishness * The role of faith in nurturing emotional wellbeing * Personal reflections and open discussion in a safe space These workshops have been important in being able to priorise mental…
Over the summer holidays, Boys U11 Sports Skills sessions
July 19, 2025
Over the summer holidays, Boys U11 Sports Skills sessions will take place fortnightly, led by the Dragons. We look forward to seeing you at the next session on 27/07/25! Please remember to register if you wish to attend : https://forms.gle/vyTWcypX1mQK27SB6
What a beautiful way to wrap up our Grow Your Wellness gardening club!
July 18, 2025
Over the past few weeks, we’ve planted, learned, laughed and grown not just vegetables, but friendships and confidence too. To mark our final session, we came together for a special brunch and harvest celebration, enjoying both the early results of our garden and treats brought in by each other: • Fresh produce from some of…
For day 3 of Flora & Thread, we continued working on embroidery, building on the drawings and prints made in the first two weeks.
July 18, 2025
Each person made progress on their piece, taking time to stitch over shared conversation, plenty of tea and freshly baked cake The group reflected on their choice of design. Some chose to select Welsh and British plants while others integrated native plants and flowers from their home countries. We learned there were similarities in native…
Embracing Your Wellbeing
July 14, 2025
Topic: Self Care vs. Selfishness * What does true self care look like? * Understanding the difference between caring for yourself and being selfish * The emotional and spiritual importance of setting boundaries * Faith based reflections on self worth and compassion * Safe, supportive space for open discussion and questions When: Friday 18th July…
Saturday Kids Arts & Crafts Club!
July 14, 2025
A creative and welcoming space for children to explore art, make crafts and enjoy time together! Saturday Maindee Library (79 Chepstow Rd, Maindee, Newport NP19 8BY) 2.15pm – 4pm, 19th July What’s On: Bead Making Gem Art Pieces Modelling Clay * Fun Arts & Crafts Activities * Bring Your Own Craft Projects – especially the…
Flora and Thread continued to build on the initial nature based learning from the previous week.
July 11, 2025
We moved from flower prints to needle and thread today as we began the embroidery part of our creative journey! Inspired by the pressed plant prints and drawings the group started learning hand embroidery techniques turning their nature sketches into beautiful stitched art. This workshop highlights included: Intro to basic embroidery stitches Translating flower and…
Today we had a lovely Gupshup Ladies Group session
July 11, 2025
Today we had a lovely Gupshup Ladies Group session where we welcomed Salma from the Positive Action Team and local PCSOs, Claire and Anna from Gwent Police. The ladies had the opportunity to openly share their thoughts and experiences around antisocial behaviour, local issues and their feelings about the police. It was a meaningful conversation…
Keep connected
July 10, 2025
It was great to welcome everyone and talk about ways to keep connected. Thank you for coming and listening to the groups experiences. Our Police community support officers CO149, CO506 and Gwent Police Positive Action Team recently attended a fantastic women-only event hosted by YMCO Maindee. These meaningful interactions are vital in strengthening relationships between…
A workshop where YMCO groups came together to design and paint silk flags thinking about the future of Maindee
July 9, 2025
We hosted a workshop where YMCO groups came together to design and paint silk flags thinking about the future of Maindee by adding their personal perspective to the designs. Those flags were then carried through the streets as part of the local parade at Maindee Festival, with some of the women who made them, joining…
Rain or shine, the U11 boys
July 9, 2025
Rain or shine, the U11 boys have been turning up every week to build on their sports skills using football and rugby techniques. Through these sessions we have seen a huge shift in confidence in the group and their attitude outside of YMCO projects. Feedback include : • I love coming and playing • it’s…
The community garden is really starting to show results and so is all the care and hard work from the group!
July 3, 2025
We were excited to see that our spring onions and herbs have already started to come up! It’s amazing how quickly things grow when we nurture them together the slugs couldn’t resist and have found their way to some of our plants! But we’re tackling it naturally using lamb’s wool along the edges of beds…
Some of our team had the pleasure of attending WCVA CGGC gofod3
July 3, 2025
Some of our team had the pleasure of attending WCVA CGGC gofod3, the largest voluntary sector event of its kind in Wales. It was a fantastic day filled with speakers, workshops and great opportunities to connect with colleagues from across the sector. Diolch to the organisers for creating such a valuable space for learning!
We had a beautiful start to our 3 day creative workshop!
July 2, 2025
Day 1 was all about slowing down and connecting with nature. The group enjoyed: A walk to Maindee Gateway Garden and St Mary’s Garden Plant recognition & mindful sketching Flower and leaf printing onto fabric through a Japanese method, tataki-zomé Decorating wood slices with floral prints Refreshments – tea and cake!! It was great to…
YMCO Planner – July 2025
June 30, 2025
Booking and registration are *essential* for all activities and projects this month! Please take note of changes in regular activities and events. Flora and Thread https://forms.gle/vUbi3Y1AVKm3zCxf9 BME Boys U11 Sports Skills https://forms.gle/vyTWcypX1mQK27SB6 Saturday Kids Arts and Crafts Club Details to be shared soon via Whatsapp Updates Groups (Join the group via the link below)! Grow…
We had another lovely day in Grow Your Wellness and we’ve made great progress together!
June 26, 2025
We learned about companion planting and placing certain plants together to help them grow better, repel pests or improve flavour, like basil with marigold, a great duo that protects and supports each other! the group carefully dug up the strawberry and raspberry plants moving them to new spots where they’ll have more space to thrive,…
Some photos from the Floral Jewellery Workshop 📷
June 25, 2025
A big thank you to everyone who joined us at our Floral Jewellery Workshop. It was a lovely session filled with creativity and hands on making. Feedback included: • this is great for my hand to eye coordination especially for my age • I love learning new crafts • I usually don’t do anything like…
Flora & Thread
June 22, 2025
We’re inviting you to a special 3 day workshop focused on creativity, connection and nature. This is an assessment based workshop with limited spaces. You’ll be contacted to confirm your spot if selected. What’s Included? • Day 1: 01/07 Nature walk, reminder & guided activity with sketching inspiration • Day 2: 08/07 Embroidery workshop •…
At our Mini Tasbih Craft Session the children had a wonderful time
June 22, 2025
At our Mini Tasbih Craft Session the children had a wonderful time designing their own 33 bead tasbihs, choosing colours, patterns and adding their own personal touch. Alongside the crafting, we shared a reminder and story time about the importance of dhikr, remembering Allah in our hearts and on our tongues and how tasbihs can…
U11 Sports Skills for boys
June 21, 2025
U11 Sports Skills for boys will take place this Sunday in Rodney Parade as usual. Please make sure the children have suncream on and bring a bottle of water!! Insha Allah see you then! If your son is not registered yet, please do so below for registration and emergency contact purposes https://forms.gle/vyTWcypX1mQK27SB6
