Community Matters: YMCA project offers new homes and hope for young people in Paignton

Working as a Community Builder in Paignton, I have the great privilege of watching some people completely turn their lives around.

They may get in touch or be referred because their life has become small and lonely, and they feel pointless. I don’t have any special powers other than introducing someone to open-hearted, like-minded people, thenwatching the magic happen naturally.

It is a joy to see people thrive, and that is exactly what YMCA Exeter are planning for young people in Paignton. They have teamed up with Torbay Council and YMCA South Devon to transform the old Angling Club on Cliff Road.

They have created eight new affordable homes for young people from Torbay with Refined Build, a small Paignton building firm, who, in turn, employed local young people as apprentices. This project emulates what has been tried and tested in Exeter, and the first Paignton residents will move in around February.

Paignton people have the exciting opportunity to visit the premises and learn about the project on Thursday, 22nd January, between 5 and 7pm. Since 2023, there has been a 180% increase in 18-25-year-olds at high risk of homelessness, who find a lack of job opportunities in Torbay a huge barrier.

YMCA Exeter will provide wrap-around services, supporting the young people to acquire new life-skills, education, and training for employment. Believing in them. Once they find a secure path to independence, the young people are encouraged to mentor those starting on the same path, thus ensuring constant renewal and growth.

Alongside Cliff Road, two other properties in the locality are being transformed into accommodation for young people under this scheme, so by the summer, they can provide supported accommodation for 36 young people from Torbay, working hard to turn their lives around.

There will be a YMCA professional living on-site, so the residents will always have support available, and any drink or drug abuse will not be tolerated, so locals need not fear. Indeed, as the young people will be encouraged to volunteer in the community, the whole area can benefit and thrive together.