YMCA Milton Keynes Final Report - October 2022

This final report presents the results of the evaluation of the YMCA-MK in Milton Keynes (YMCA-MK) programme, delivered from March 20202 until August 2022. Established in 1981, YMCA-MK provides dedicated housing to young people. In 2020, YMCA-MK undertook a significant renovation including a new campus, improved staff, and enhanced opportunities for the residents. This research evaluation, undertaken by the Institute for Social Innovation and Impact (ISII), outlines the experiences of the residents and the staff, and the overall organisation around the YMCA-MK project using a mixed method approach. The report showed that YMCA-MK is performing strongly by enabling the residents to improve themselves as a whole by supporting residents with the multiple and complex difficulties they may have experienced. It successfully encourages the residents to improve their mental health, wellbeing, and self-efficacy, and it helps the residents to resolve the struggles related to their past, in particular with the family. Moreover, it enhances their employability skills by taking into consideration the individual’s desires and abilities, whilst acknowledging their financial position by providing affordable housing for the residents that need economic support.