Roddy Ross, Team Leader, Safer Community PKC
"For some years now the partners in Perth and Kinross have been concerned about young people putting themselves at risk in and around the City Centre. We have lacked a place where young people can meet or go if they need help. This concern and the level of risk has increased as a consequence of lockdown but one benefit of has been a significant improvement in communication and co-ordination of resources between different organisations. The 3rd sector in general, and YMCA in particular, have been key to this and the introduction of the drop-in facility in the High Street has provided a focal point for young people and the different staff groups to meet in the evenings. It has become a multi-agency hub, a social hub, a place of safety and a real asset to the engagement and safeguarding operation."
Roy, SCYD
Franny and the YMCA team have been an incredible support towards myself and SCYD over the last few years. Franny's resources and advice for the YWERF and Cashback funding have been key to some of the success we have been seeing in our projects. It was amazing to have Franny come with such a wealth of experience and help direct our team which has helped us start new projects and plan for the future. I am hoping to work in partnership with Franny and his team for many more years to come.
Franny has been a major part in the last year, first as good point of contact for talking over and advice for joint funding. also, for administration work, with the YMCA resources and Franny’s experience. This has helped all the groups to work together better.
Gordon Louden, Perth Street Pastors
"Perth Street Pastors are enjoying the partnership that has been formed with the YMCA which has enhanced our understanding of how they approach and connect with today’s youngsters, we have benefited greatly from being involved both in the detached work as well as the work inside the drop in centre and look forward to more of our Pastors joining in the detached work and inside the drop in centre as well.
We also have a new tool to be able to offer cards publicising the drop in centre when we are out on our normal Street and School Pastors patrols, and we do know that a few of the youngsters we have spoken to about it have actually turned up at some point.
It is also a good extension of the partnership that is continuing to develop between ourselves, police, safer communities youth engagement team and the community wardens, which helps us plan our patrols better to make sure that we do not arrive at the same time."