What We Do
Mentoring
YMCA Edinburgh provides mentoring support for young people aged 8–14 through three dedicated programmes: PlusOne, Intandem, and Intandem Kinship.
Based at our community hub in Leith, we match trained Volunteer Mentors with young people across Leith and the rest of Edinburgh, offering consistent, 1-to-1 emotional and practical support.
These relationships are built on trust, empathy, and shared activities – helping young people feel heard, valued, and better equipped to navigate life’s challenges.
Youth & Play
YMCA Play services offer free, supervised play for Primary aged children in Leith. The services initially were set up for children living in and around Cables Wynd House. In 2023 we were pleased to receive funding from the People’s Postcode Trust to expand services, specifically to welcome in young people from Ukraine who are here in Leith following the war.
Throughout the school holidays we provide Holiday Playschemes for local Primary aged children.
Delivered in partnership with Pilmeny Development Project (PDP) we offer 2 weekly wellbeing groups for girls aged 8-12 and 12+ in Leith.
YMCA Edinburgh also provides youth work support to the popular Street Soccer football session at Leith Community Centre on Fridays and a Friday evening, early-intervention youth sports project, Friday Night Lights.
Supportive Women’s Group
The YMCA Women’s Group meets every Wednesday from 11.30 am-1.30 pm.
This welcoming, trauma-informed group is shaped by the ideas and interests of the women who attend, creating a safe space that feels meaningful, empowering, and enjoyable for everyone involved.
Each week offers a variety of uplifting activities, including arts and crafts, gentle exercise, themed sessions, outings, and opportunities to learn something new. We also enjoy visiting other spaces such as Edinburgh Remakery, The Botanics, and welcome guest facilitators to share sessions within the group setting.
The group typically brings together up to 12 women from diverse backgrounds, attending on a pre-planned drop-in basis.
We are committed to creating a safe, supportive, and positive environment where every woman feels valued, heard, and respected. Individual support is always available for those who would like it.
There is no fee to attend our group. Refreshments and a light lunch are provided, adding to the relaxed and social atmosphere.
Anyone interested in attending can be sure of a very warm welcome from everyone. We’d love to have you join us.
For more information, please contact Maureen
Phone: 07936 928811 Email: maureen@ymcaedinburgh.com
Participation and Voice
We believe children, young people and communities should have a voice and shape the decisions that affect their lives. Through The Equals Youth Forum, Cables Wynd House residents’ forum and community consultations, we create meaningful opportunities for people to influence services, local change and the direction of YMCA Edinburgh.
This year, we have expanded our work to include youth-led climate action, using co-production approaches to develop local environmental solutions driven by young people themselves.
For more information, please contact Louisa Richardson, Participation and Wellbeing Lead.
Phone: 07935 419067
Email: louisa@ymcaedinburgh.com
