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Our
History:
YPAS @ 40:
YPAS
celebrated its 40th year of working with children and
young people in 2006.
| |
Over
the past four decades we have seen significant changes
to the global social, cultural and political climate.
As
the world wrestled with nuclear proliferation, the
Cold War, famine, poverty, terrorism, religious
fundamentalism, discrimination, ethnic cleansing,
dictatorships, hurricanes, climate change, war,
HIV-AIDS, gun crime, unemployment and social depravation,
YPAS was working to support some of the most marginalised
young people who were innocently caught up in this
whirlwind! |
Young
people and staff party as YPAS turns 40
|
The
16-25 year olds with whom we worked in 1966 are 56-65
years old, with a lifetime of knowledge and experience.
 |
If you came to YPAS in the 60s, 70s, 80s or 90s we would
like to know how you are getting on and what
you gained from the experience.
Email us with your memories: history@ypas.org.uk
Or
click here to read a
few we have already received.
|
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36 Bolton Street:
Our
building was anonymously bequeathed to YPAS in 1997. We are proud to be at this location because
the building has always represented a safe place for the
vulnerable. From 1907 to 1971, it was home to the Liverpool
Child Welfare Association, delivering support to poor
and sick children in Liverpool.
|
36
Bolton Street, L3 - circa 1930's (left) and present
day (right) has always stood for respect and support
for vulnerable young people |
The
building looks a little tired nowadays; this is understandable
because it has seen a great number of projects, workers
and young people since its construction in 1907.
| |
If
you had anything to do with the Liverpool Child
Welfare Association, as an employee or as someone
who received support, please get in touch with your
memories: history@ypas.org.uk
Or
click here to read a few
we have already received.
We
want to preserve this building for future generations
by paying a fitting tribute to the work done by
Margaret Beavan in establishing the organisation
that supported children who were vulnerable and
sick in the days before social services, the NHS
and the welfare state.
|
A
pre World War 2 office at Liverpool Child Welfare
Association (top) and - not so different - the same
office at YPAS
in 2006 (bottom) |
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Our Timeline:
1966:
Liverpool Personal Services Society (PSS) gains
funding after identifying a significant demand placed
on the services of the Citizens Advice Bureaux for advice,
support and information by young people.
YPAS
is established and a full time counsellor is employed.
A drop-in service opens in Union House on Victoria Street
to provide informal access to counselling services. This
is one of the pioneer youth counselling and advice services
in the country.
1978:
After the introduction of a government employment programme
(STEP) YPAS develops drop-in counselling services in Netherley,
Speke, Kirkdale and a drop-in support service in 'The
Basement' on Stanley Street.
1983:
After five years of successful delivery the Netherley
and Speke services close after funding is withdrawn.
1984:
As part of a service overhaul, the Kirkdale project
is taken over by Liverpool Youth Service's Youth Line.
1985:
Young people gain representation on the YPAS
Management Committee.
1986:
YPAS becomes an independent charity.
1987:
YPAS
becomes a company limited by guarantee.
1989:
As a temporary move YPAS relocates to the L8 Law Centre
on Princes Road.
1990: The
service moves into the second floor of 36 Bolton Street.
1993: A
full-time manager is employed.
1996: Following
a successful bid to the National Lottery, the ground floor
is converted into a suitable space to deliver drop-in,
advice and counselling to young people and to house the
administration and management teams.
1997:
A fully accessible service is running
for young people. 36 Bolton Street is generously bequeathed
to YPAS
by an anonymous benefactor.
1999:
Gill Bainbridge employed as manager. The team delivers
excellent services to marginalised and socially excluded
young people across the city.
Over
the next few years, YPAS expands and develops into a progressive organisation,
working in co-operation with young people and the services
that support them.
Central
to this growth is the person-centred approach at the heart
of all service delivery. A diverse range of funding is
gained to develop the organisation and find ways to engage
with hard to reach groups like the homeless and substance
misusers.
2003:
In recognition of the unique services delivered
to young people over the years, YPAS
begins negotiations for new service developments with
the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS).
2004: Gill
Bainbridge leaves YPAS to become the Chief Executive of Merseyside Youth Association
(MYA).
New
funding finalised through CAMHS and a new structure is
introduced with the recruitment of Matt Byrne as Director,
Val O’Donnell as Support Service Manager and Monique
Collier as Counselling Service Manager, together with
the secondment of Lindsey Marlton as Transitional Years
Mental Health Manager.
The
administration and work spaces for staff are relocated
to the third floor and the old ground floor office is
divided to be used as a young person’s group work
room and a sub-office.
Extra
funding is secured through Lloyds TSB and Awards for All
for work in the drop-in. YPAS extends
the age of the young people it supports to 10-25 year
olds.
2005: The
first full year of delivering services through the Child
and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS). Massive
recruitment increases the staff team to 40.
The
second floor is renovated as a new counselling suite.
The
development of policies and delivery to work with Every
Child Matters and Youth Matters begins.
YPAS
takes over the management of the gay youth service GYRO
(Gay Youth 'r' Out).
YPAS
begins work towards the ISO9001 kite mark in recognition
of the quality of services provided.
YPAS
produces a DVD made by young people who self-injure; it
is premiered at the 39th AGM held at the Adelphi Hotel.
2006: Happy
40th Birthday to YPAS!
The
work continues with 10-25 year olds. Specialist funding
is gained through Liverpool’s Drug and Alcohol Action
Team (DAAT) to deliver multi-agency engagement work for
children and young people who are affected by substance
misuse issues.
The
mapping and scoping exercise carried out by the counselling
service is published for the Child and Adolescent Mental
Health Service (CAMHS).
YPAS,
as part of a consortium that includes Merseyside Youth
Association (MYA – The Door), PSS and Weston Spirit,
is awarded a contract to deliver training and support
to young people not in education employment or training
(NEET).
YPAS
is featured on BBC Radio 5 Live, Granada Tonight, BBC
Radio Merseyside, GMTV and Radio City (Liverpool).
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Memories
of YPAS and the Child Welfare Association
from
Brian, age 30:
'I
have some great memories of YPAS, having attended there
for about six or seven years. I first came to YPAS for
counselling due to low self-esteem, and this greatly helped
me.
'Over
the years the need for counselling was less necessary
and I started to attend the drop in-service. I thoroughly
enjoyed this, because it was somewhere you could go to
have a chat or a coffee and meet other new people without
feeling hassled.
'Some
days we used to do cooking or watch a video. I found the
staff very friendly, most of whom have probably left now.
'My
best memories of YPAS were the Christmas dinners, where
the whole room was decorated and roast dinners were prepared
for all the people that used the service, or the time
I went to Wales on an Outward Bound trip, which included
raft building, abseiling etc.
'I
stopped coming to YPAS about three years ago now because
I became too old, and in that time a few things have happened
in my life. I have been diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome
which is on the same scale as autism. I also attend Greenbank
College three days a week, doing courses in independent
living and cookery.
'I
sometimes think it would be nice to pop in to YPAS when
I am in town and see how the place has changed and meet
the new staff. I also enjoyed looking through the website.
'Keep
up the good work!'
from
Julie, age 48:
'I
used to get support from the Liverpool
Child Welfare Association. I remember coming for
a Christmas party in the building and being told to go
to a room full of toys were I could pick anything I wanted.
I will never forget that.
'I
was supported because I had polio as a child and my family
was poor. My mum was a single parent with six children.
I used to get a grant for clothes and shoes every season.
'I
believe I had a sponsor there as my mum had to take me
there every time and sometimes I had to write a letter
and supply a photo. This continued until I was 16 years
old.
'It
made a difference to my life because now and then it would
remind me that someone cared, and didn't want anything
back from me - it made me feel special.
'The
parties they organised brightened my life up and I was
always allowed to take my sister.
'Of
course the building holds a special memory in my childhood
that I will always cherish.'
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