YMCAfit is part of Central YMCA, the leading Activity for Health charity whose mission is to change health attitudes and behaviour through advocacy, education and direct delivery. YMCAfit’s contribution to this is to educate individuals of the benefits of physical activity to mental, physical and social health; to empower them to improve the health of their wider communities and to promote their health through increasing their chances of employment.

We design specific projects to address inequalities and increase participation in the fitness industry. In the past we have successfully targeted programmes at Black and Minority Ethnic women, unemployed individuals, disabled people, those living with HIV, those living in areas of deprivation and individuals with mental illness.
 

Getting Black and Minority Ethnic Women Employed within the Health and Fitness Sector

Award winning projects include the ‘Getting Black and Minority Ethnic Women Employed within the Health and Fitness Sector', funded by the London Development Agency and European Social Fund. This project tackled the massive under-representation of Black and Minority Ethnic women in the fitness industry in London. As well as offering a career path to unemployed women in London with a passion for fitness, the training scheme was specifically designed to be sensitive to, and supportive of, participants’ cultural, personal and heritage needs.

More than 150 women completed the programme, leading to a nationally recognised qualification either as Gym or Studio Instructor. They each also received help in finding a job in fitness, leisure, health and community activities.
 

YMCAfit takes its commitment to help improve the health and fitness of the nation very seriously. For this reason we are delighted to offer training grants to enable deserving beneficiaries to access training which will help them make a difference to individuals or groups within their own community.

Training Grant funding can be provided for one of the following courses in full:

• YMCA Cardio Kick
• YMCA Core Stability
• YMCA Keiser Cycle
• YMCA Running
• YMCA Strike!
• YMCA Supple Strength

OR

• Contribute £150 towards payment for any other YMCAfit course

To be eligible for a YMCAfit Training Grant the nominee must meet the following criteria:

• Be nominated by an impartial nominator(s). e.g. Co-worker, employer, project leader and in exceptional circumstances a beneficiary. Employees of YMCA Fitness Industry Training are not permitted to nominate.
• Demonstrate a proven track record of enhancing the lives of individuals or groups within their own community within a physical activity environment (minimum 6 months).
• Use the Training Grant place funded to make a significant and measurable impact on individuals or groups within their own community within a physical activity environment.
• Must not have received a YMCAfit funded place within the last 3 years.
• Training grant places are limited and subject to availability.

How to apply?

To apply complete the Nomination Form. Nominations should be submitted to Rebecca Bridges at YMCAfit, 111 Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3NP.

Training Grant Application Form

Applicants will be informed of a decision via email within 14 working days of receipt of initial nomination.