YMCA Cheltenham Sports Centre

🌸 Meet the Cherry Blossom Team 🌸

This week, our social channels will be celebrating the work of the wonderful team at Cherry Blossom Pre School.

Every day, the Cherry Blossom staff create a safe, nurturing, and inspiring space where children can learn, play, and grow. From sparking curiosity in the baby room, to building confidence and friendships in the pre school, they give each child the best possible start in life.

Last year, YMCA Cheltenham’s children & families programmes supported over 700 children through 94 parenting sessions, alongside the daily care and learning at Cherry Blossom. It’s all part of our commitment to giving young people the strongest possible foundations for the future.

Stay tuned this week as we share more about the amazing work they do, the impact they’ve had, and the stories that make Cherry Blossom such a special place.

This past week, we’ve celebrated YMCA Cheltenham Sports Centre - a place that has been at the heart of community sport since 1962.

From judo and basketball to fitness classes and youth programmes, thousands of people have walked through its doors to get active, learn skills, and find community.

As we look back, we also look forward. YMCA Cheltenham turns 170 this November, and we want to mark this milestone by gathering 170 stories for 170 years.

If the Sports Centre – or any part of YMCA Cheltenham – has played a role in your life, we’d love to hear from you. Whether it’s friendships formed, skills learned, confidence gained, or simply a place you’ve called home, your story is part of our story.

👉 Share your story with us and help us celebrate 170 years of impact, community, and belonging.

https://ymcacheltenham.com/170-stories-for-170-years/

“It’s another miracle I got past the interview, really… and now I’m here today.”

🌟 Meet David Clarke - Team Member at our Sports Centre 🌟

David’s journey to YMCA Cheltenham is nothing short of extraordinary.

What began as a prayer for direction led to spotting our sign glistening in the snow, a chance meeting with our then CEO, and what he now calls his dream job.

“Sometimes you get the dream job and you think this is incredible.”

Today, David brings that same sense of hope and encouragement into everything he does - from homeschool sessions where children celebrate kindness and honesty:

“We give a little trophy each week… someone who’s been kind, honest, welcoming or sporting. It reinforces the culture we’re trying to build.”

to walking football, where friendship and support mean no one faces life’s challenges alone:

“These guys have got people around them. They’re not facing things alone. That’s huge.”

Asked to sum up YMCA Cheltenham in just one word, David chose:

“Hope.”

And that’s what we’ve been offering our community for 170 years.

👉 Read the full interview with David here:

https://ymcacheltenham.com/finding-hope-at-the-ymca-david-clarkes-journey/

After a devastating car accident, one of our YMCA Cheltenham Sports Centre members faced a long road to recovery - navigating both serious injury and the loss of their partner.

When they joined us, they began with gentle chair-based exercises.

With time, determination, and the unwavering encouragement of our instructors and fellow members, they took incredible strides: moving from seated workouts to lifting weights, standing unaided, and eventually walking again - without a frame.

What began as a physical recovery evolved into so much more.

They discovered new friendships, regained confidence, and even rediscovered their passion for travel, something they once thought impossible.

At YMCA Cheltenham, we believe everyone deserves the opportunity and support to realise their full potential - in mind, body and spirit.

This story is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when community, kindness, and resilience come together.

❤️ We’re proud to walk beside our members on every step of their journey.

Every jump shot, every rally, every game on our courts carries a bigger story.

The YMCA Sports Centre isn’t just where sport happens, it’s where lives change.

From young people finding their first team, to adults rediscovering fitness and friendship, this is a space that builds resilience and confidence as much as it builds skills.

And there’s history behind the buzz. Basketball itself was invented at a YMCA back in 1891, and that tradition of creating opportunities through sport still drives us today.

Here in Cheltenham, thousands have stepped through our doors to move, play, and connect - proof that when people come together, health and community grow stronger side by side.

Yesterday we welcomed young people from across Cheltenham to our Summer HAF (Holiday Activities and Food) programme at the YMCA Cheltenham Sports Centre, and what a day it was!
From scaling the climbing wall to fast-paced games of badminton and football, plus giant Jenga, arts, and plenty of laughter, our centre was full of energy and joy.

A huge thank you to Cllr Martin Horwood, Deputy Mayor of Cheltenham, for joining us and showing his support. It means so much to the children, families and our team. 💙

We were pleased to welcome local MP Max Wilkinson to our services at Vittoria Walk in Cheltenham, this morning. Together we talked about the variety of services we provide, the incredible 170 years of continuous support we have delivered to local communities, and the impact our PATHWAY HOME scheme is having on ending the repeat cycle of homelessness. Max was able to meet with residents who are moving through our PATHWAY, towards independent living.

Having a safe, warm place to sleep shouldn’t be a privilege.
Last year, YMCA Cheltenham provided 70,021 nights of housing to people facing crisis. That’s more than 1,900 nights of shelter every week.
But it’s not just a roof. It’s about respect, routine, and support to move forward.
Thanks for helping us be there.

You can still grab a free day pass for YMCA Cheltenham’s Sports Centre.
Get moving with judo, gym access, community classes and more.
Whether you’re looking to build strength, energy or connection, we’ve got something for you.
Claim yours now:
https://ymcacheltenham.com/sports-centre/

"The difference stability, care and hope can do for a person is incredible." Lisa, Senior Support Worker
We believe change starts with the right support. Every person who walks through our door is met with compassion and a plan that works for them.
Thank you to our housing team for walking alongside people every step of the way.

Looking for free summer fun for your little ones?
Come along to our Mixed Activity Sessions at the YMCA Sports Centre - two afternoons packed with energy, creativity, and connection for children aged 5–11.
🗓 Tuesday 29 July
🗓 Tuesday 12 August (includes climbing wall)
🕝 2.30–5.30pm
📍 College Drive, Cheltenham (GL51 8NY)
Activities include table tennis, badminton, curling, goal shooting, frisbee, and loads of craft fun.
It’s completely free - just register through Gloucestershire HAF or contact Linda:
📧 [email protected] | 📱 07481 984338
Brought to you by Family Space and YMCA Cheltenham – helping families move, play and thrive together.