The business formalities were conducted in ten minutes flat, by president General Lord Richard Dannatt, in the nightclub part of the Open Venue in Norwich, so that proceedings could move to the main hall and stage.

 

Here juggler James Thompson opened the real business of the evening by performing while standing high on the arms of two friends – a very apt way for the celebration of the last year to begin as the theme was supporting young people to belong, contribute and thrive - all three elements of which were in plentiful evidence as the evening unfolded.

 

YMCA Norfolk chief executive, Tim Sweeting, said: “We are focusing this evening on celebrating the young people with whom we have the privilege of working because we believe passionately in the huge potential of every single one, no matter what they’ve been through or had thrown at them. We believe that young people should have the opportunity to reach that potential and be able to tell their own story.”

 

And tell it they did from acoustic guitarist Robert who sang about hope, street dancer Becky and Nathan who told the 130-strong audience of how the YMCA had helped get him back on his feet after he had spent months as a 16-year-old sleeping out in the woods or on people’s floors. He was so inspired by his mentor Joseph that his ambition is now to become a YMCA support worker himself.

 

Jordan’s poem about being homeless, Jade’s haunting melody on the ukulele and Benny’s tale of finding himself homeless and with no-one but the YMCA to turn to after a tour with a rock band finished, all echoed with the dedication and inspiration produced every day of the year by the staff and volunteers at YMCA Norfolk.

 

Over the past year YMCA Norfolk has increased the number of young people it houses every night to 244, trebling the service in Great Yarmouth alone. Work in the area of supporting parents, health and well-being have all been added to the service at the same time as raising over £600,000 of the £1m needed to fund the new 40-bed Bethel Street housing scheme in Norwich.

 

As for the year ahead, Tim said: “You will see new housing schemes in Norwich and Yarmouth and community cafes that are open to the public and run by young people. By putting young people at the heart of all we do, you will see the YMCA grow to be Christian faith in action for many more young people across Norfolk.”