YMCA works with Newark Emmaus Trust to improve health and well-being and raise funds

A charity working with homeless and vulnerable young people has teamed up with the YMCA in its Get Out, Get Active programme.

Shaq Porteous works for the YMCA and has been collaborating with Newark Emmaus Trust since January, leading the active programme to encourage young people to take part in various sports.

It aims to help people get fit and develop skills that will improve their physical and mental well-being.

The Switch Up Nottingham School of Boxing invited the residents to try out boxing training provided through the YMCA Get Out, Get Active programme.

Senior support worker at Newark Emmaus Trust Louise Rumble said: “The sessions all went extremely well and were a huge success. Everyone who attended engaged well with the activities. Shaq was very impressed with the enthusiasm and the speed at which our residents picked it up and he appreciated getting to know them all, as did the boxing trainer Barney.”

Following the success of the 12-week programme with the YMCA, support worker Louise wants to progress it further with more young people to join in.

Those involved said it helped get them out of the house to meet new people, gain confidence, learn new activities and simply have some fun.

Shaq said: “I feel that we have built a strong relationship with the trust, the young people and staff. I am grateful to have another 12 weeks with this amazing group of young people and organisation.”

Shaq was so impressed that he wanted to get involved and raise funds for the young people, so has entered the Edinburgh Half Marathon on May 29. It will be his first ever long run.

You can donate to the cause at https://buff.ly/3wz6XP8

Newark Emmaus Trust provides accommodation, support and training for homeless young people aged 16 and 25, including pregnant teenagers, young parents and their babies.

All accommodation is in Newark and includes shared houses for young people of the same gender, shared houses for young people of mixed gender, self-contained flats and houses for parents and their babies, or family units.