YMCA Bristol

In the summer of 1844, the YMCA was founded by George Williams in London. He was a draper’s assistant and had encouraged a group of his fellow workers to meet for prayer and social activities. The meetings proved popular and eventually were formalised and the YMCA was officially founded. The YMCA Bristol was opened in 1853 and today we are embarking on an ambitious project. We are planning to convert the old Grade II listed police headquarters in the heart of the city centre into a hostel. This hostel will provide emergency accommodation for young people who are homeless alongside commercial backpacking and budget traveller beds. This unique combination gives us a sustainable revenue stream, which is independent of government funding, enabling us to provide accommodation for vulnerable young people regardless of political or economic changes. It also creates a non-institutional and non-stigmatising environment in which homeless young people can feel safe without feeling labelled as a problem.