SECTOR FOCUS: CHARITIES Keeping the community alive Lee Abbas from YMCA Plymouth explains how the community centre has responded to lockdown


For people from all walks of life, up and down the country and in our local community, the last few weeks have been hugely challenging. As the largest community-led centre in Plymouth, we know this has impacted on the thousands of people, like you, that use our facility each week. The loss of weekly sports clubs, specialist sessions, education and more, is difficult for everyone. We know that what makes our centre special isn't just the clubs and services themselves, but also the people coming together that make our fun, supportive and inclusive community. However, despite not being able to be at our


centre, many YMCA staff and volunteers have been working hard to offer what services we can, in order to help and bring people together in this time of crisis.


Discovery College takes the classroom online Students and staff from our Discovery College have been adapting to their new virtual classrooms in the last few weeks. The virtual classrooms have been buzzing with activity, with tutors providing virtual lessons through video conferencing and hosting assignments and work through their Google Classrooms. Students in


Our trainers are still keeping Plymouth active Despite lack of equipment and space, our fitness trainers have been volunteering their time and effort to put together a fantastic package of fitness videos, 6- days a week, freely for the community. We know the lack of fitness facilities or sports


need have also been provided with free Chromebook laptops to help them learn from home. For prospective students, the team has put


together a virtual open day, in the form of a YouTube playlist showcasing the college through interviews with tutors and students. Also, our Student Ambassadors have been answering questions, while in lockdown, for Year 11s looking to start in September. Our Stay & Play team has launched a series of


weekly fun craft tutorial videos and activities for parents to do with children at home. The videos will be coming out every Thursday in the Stay & Play group and parents are welcome to join in and share their creations with everyone!


clubs is a shock to many. Not having our community and routine is tough, impacting not only our physical but also mental wellbeing. That's why our team has worked super hard to give you their brilliant expertise, right in your living room. There are challenges, live classes, workout programmes and much more each week. Please do get involved and join them by following our Facebook page and the 'Keeping Fit in Lockdown' series.


Helping schools Our youth workers are currently doing amazing work by supporting vulnerable children and those of keyworkers within schools. They have been providing sports activities and games to children in multiple schools throughout the city. This has helped keep the children active and their spirits up, all while their parents and guardians undertake vital work for all of us.


The search for a cure never stops


Melanie Tilley from Brain Tumour Research explains how the charity has been affected by Covid-19 and the steps it’s taking


Brain Tumour Research is the only national charity in the UK that is dedicated to raising funds for continuous and sustainable scientific research into brain tumours, and it is a leading voice calling for greater support and action for research into what scientists are calling the last battleground against cancer. Brain tumours are indiscriminate;


they can affect anyone at any age. What’s more, they kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer, yet historically just one per cent of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease. Brain Tumour Research is


determined to change this. The charity is building a network


of experts in sustainable research at dedicated Centres of Excellence whilst influencing the UK Government and larger cancer charities to invest more nationally. The impact of Covid-19 is now


seriously threatening the income streams they rely on to support their vital research and campaigning. Brain Tumour Research has spent the last decade developing


Brain Tumour Research’s crucial work in dependent on funding


‘discovery science’ in order to get closer to a cure. They get no Government funding and rely totally on the generosity of supporters and partners to help them progress. Professor Silvia Marino, the lead


scientist at their Queen Mary University of London Centre, said: “A break in funding for research into brain tumours now would have a devastating impact for years and years.” The charity is looking for help to minimise this risk and partnerships with local businesses and organisations offer advantages to


both sides. They know how important it is to help look after employees’ mental health and wellbeing at this time, and the various fundraising at home initiatives they’ve created – from taking on virtual challenge events to joining virtual quiz nights, just two of a range of ideas – can bring people together, enhance team rapport and company loyalty during social distancing, whilst helping raise funds for a vital cause. A great example of support comes from Wiltshire-based


Stonewood Builders, supporting Brain Tumour Research via a virtual fundraising initiative called the #GolfChipChallenge, where employees and friends tag each other in a golf challenge in their back gardens, raising hundreds of pounds just through this one event. Let’s keep research working. Together we will find a cure.


To find out more and get involved: www.braintumourresearch.org/fun draise/fundraising-at-home www.braintumourresearch.org/fun draise/take-on-a-virtual-challenge


Summer 2020 Chamber Profile 35


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