At Central YMCA, we’re driven by a purpose to advance the education, health and wellbeing of our communities. The importance of having physically, socially, and mentally healthy people in the society cannot be overemphasised.

Medical diagnoses usually come accompanied with a variety of physical, mental and social effects. Depending on the type of ailment, people may have their lives permanently altered due to adverse effects of their condition or the medication they’re prescribed.

Many people feel powerless against the impact to their daily lives, symptoms and physical changes in their bodies. In fact, those with long-term conditions are two to three times more likely to experience mental health difficulties.

But we can help!

By partnering with the NHS, local authorities, and healthcare specialists; we aim to deliver innovative programmes that address these challenges and remove access barriers for those in need. Through our social prescription programmes, we are offering a range of non-medical services that cater to the following:

1) Safely combat the adverse effects of long-term health conditions, medication, and procedures in a safe manner

2) Reduce isolation and other potential mental health effects of diagnoses

3) Empower people to take control of their own health and lifestyle.

Our Programmes

Positive Health

For over 25 years, our life-changing Positive Health programme has been supporting those living with HIV. In that time, we’ve been able to help more than 17,000 Londoners. This 12-week scheme combines supervised gym sessions and nutritional support, arts courses and social events, providing a space for participants to exercise safely, socialise and take control over their own health.

Phase IV

Our recently launched Phase IV programme strengthens the physical and mental wellbeing of people that have undergone a cardiac surgery, heart attack or similar event. This is a 10-week initiative that provides weekly exercise sessions, education on heart health, and the ability to tailor the participant's cardiac rehabilitation based on their own personal health and interests.

How can you help?

Any contribution, however big or small, can make a significant impact on someone else’s life, and take us a step closer to our goal. Donate now, and help us build strong bodies, minds and communities.

These are some of the ways your gift may be used:

- £5 could pay for someone to trial one of our Social Prescription sessions

- £20 could help support our incredible volunteers

- £40 could enable one participant to attend a 10-week programme free of charge

- £75 could help us run a social event for all our amazing participants

- £200 could run a 5-week rehabilitation course at full-capacity