Our Impact - YHAs

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providers to shape programming to meet the specific needs of the school and its pupils. *From a sample of 191 young peop
Our Impact A look back at a year of positive change

2015

Impact Review 2014/2015  1

Our best year on record

Contents Our best year on record

1

Transforming young people’s lives

3

The year in numbers 

4

What we stand for 

6

Woods and fields make great classrooms 

8

Research shows young people are benefiting 

11

Fresh air works wonders 

12

YHA Breaks for Kids 

14

Our Summer Camps make a difference 

16

The success of our Summer Camps 

18

Parents also see the benefits 

20

We welcome everyone 

22

Creating opportunities for families 

25

National Citizen Service 

26

Developing life skills through volunteering 

28

How volunteers are benefiting 

31

Equipping young people for success 

32

A year in the life of YHA Castleton Losehill Hall 

34

Exciting new hostels for 2014 

36

More ways to stay with us 

39

An award-winning year 

41

A snapshot of an exceptional financial year 

42

How YHA is governed 

44

Proving the positive impact we make

46

Start making a positive impact with us 

48

Valued partners 

51

And a special thanks to you

52

I’m delighted to be writing this after what I can only describe as YHA’s best year ever in my experience. As I come to the end of my tenure as Chairman, I’m so happy to be able to hand over the reins to my successor with the organisation in such good heart and with its sights firmly set on the goal of reaching out to 1 million young people each year. In the 40 plus years that I’ve been associated with YHA much has changed both at our Youth Hostels and in the way YHA is run. Today we have a highly professional team under an inspiring Chief Executive. We are now closer than ever to reaching a sustainable, fit-for-purpose network. The job isn’t finished and there will always be challenges for any charity, but we have turned the corner. We can now take long-term strategic investment decisions and take on large projects confident that we can make them work.

“I want to thank the volunteers and the staff who tirelessly work for an organisation they passionately believe in.”

However, YHA is far more than buildings. They are just the vehicle for getting people, especially disadvantaged young people, out and about to experience our countryside and historic cities, to taste a spirit of adventure that inspired me all those years ago. Over the past year we have made a positive difference to the lives of thousands of young people; many of them from backgrounds so very different from my own. Finally, I’d like to end on a personal note. Over my years on the Board and as both Vice Chairman and Chairman, I’ve met lots of people who I’ve been proud to show around our Youth Hostels. We’ve had politicians, celebrities and, on several occasions, our Patron, the Queen. But, for me, this is not what I will miss when I retire; it’s the ‘unsung heroes’ who make YHA what it is. So I want to thank the volunteers and the staff who tirelessly work for an organisation they passionately believe in. As you read this Impact Review, it’s my hope that you will catch something of the enthusiasm for YHA that runs through my veins and which has inspired me down the years.

Chris Darmon, YHA Chairman

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Transforming young people’s lives YHA is a truly special and unique organisation creating opportunities for young people and contributing to their health, education and recreation. We make a positive impact on thousands of young people and give them experiences and memories that will stay with them, and influence them, during their lifetime. Last year 518,565 young people from the UK and abroad enjoyed our Youth Hostels with their school or university groups, friends or families, and many young people volunteered for YHA and worked for us.

“There are so many highlights of the last year, across the whole range of activities we offer young people and through our diverse network of accommodation. More people stayed with YHA, our positive guest feedback is increasing, our Youth Hostel standards are much higher, and we delivered a very strong financial performance.”

This Impact Review gives you a sense of what we have been doing and how a stay with YHA is of real benefit to thousands of people, of all ages, each year. We have measured the value of our Summer Camps and our educational trips, and now have evidence of the confidence and skills volunteering can give to young people. We also show how the work we do with them has transformative effects, and how we can equip young people with the skills and experiences that encourage them to develop and thrive in life. YHA operates an amazing network of Youth Hostels spanning the length and breadth of England’s and Wales’ most inspiring landscapes and cities. We offer young people authentic experiences in the real outdoors or in the heart of our historic cities. Our Youth Hostel teams and volunteers are deeply passionate about our work. Their dedication and enthusiasm make all the difference in turning time away into an extraordinary adventure that will live long in the memory. I love YHA and am so privileged to lead this organisation. I hope that this Impact Review inspires and encourages you to get involved with YHA.

Caroline White, YHA Chief Executive

Young volunteers at YHA Manchester

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518,565

young people

have had a YHA experience in 2014. Of those, 387,180 stayed with us

1.8m

2.4k

total overnight stays, 44,000 more than last year

active volunteers

£3.4m

The year in numbers

176k

growth in revenue

volunteering hours. That’s equivalent to £1,164,000 worth of support, which significantly helps the work we do

4.5k

649

young people experienced adventurous outdoor activities at one of our hostels as part of the National Citizenship Service programme

places in our Summer Camps with extended partnership with the RAF

7.5k

171k

young people from disadvantaged backgrounds benefited from our Breaks For Kids bursary grant

members, our most loyal and supportive customers

Big achievements YHA was awarded the Learning Outside the Classroom accreditation†

We retained Investors in People – Gold Standard

The purchase and successful opening of YHA Brighton, YHA Cardiff and YHA Eden Project

Complete refurbishment of YHA Boggle Hole and YHA Cambridge

The future of YHA Oxford Street secured. † Across 74 Youth Hostels, the most accredited sites of any UK provider.

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What we stand for Our charitable objective The principal objective set out in the Articles of Association of YHA is: “To help all, especially young people of limited means, to a greater knowledge, love and care of the countryside and appreciation of the cultural values of towns and cities, particularly by providing Youth Hostels or other accommodation for them in their travels, and thus to promote their health, recreation and education.”

Our Vision YHA is aiming to reach out and enhance the lives of all young people. To move towards this vision, over the next three years, we aspire to reach one million young people.

Our Mission Our Mission is to inspire all, especially young people, to broaden their horizons, gaining knowledge and independence, through new experiences of adventure and discovery. YHA is open to all, so anyone can stay with us. We provide so much more than just accommodation. We create safe, healthy, fun and active experiences leading to:

Growth in learning, skills, and self-development



Engagement with diverse people and communities



Exploration of wider horizons of culture and location.

The experience we provide sets YHA apart from other organisations and providers.

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Woods and fields make great classrooms Inspirational moments experienced on residential visits can live long in the memories of everyone. Teachers and students of all ages tell YHA that young people who struggle in the classroom can excel on a school residential visit. These views have been fully backed up by new research. ‘Learning Away’, an initiative funded by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, says that effective residential visits occur when they are integrated with National Curriculum outcomes, and pupils and teachers work together to co-design, plan and lead experiences that are tailor-made to meet the specific needs and learning objectives of the students in their school. A sample of their research findings includes: After their residential stays, 80% of Secondary students and 70% of Primary students felt they knew their teachers better

72% up from 56% of Secondary students felt their teachers had a better understanding of how they liked to learn After their stays, 82% of teachers felt that their residential stay had begun to achieve its aims in relation to improving relationships, 62% with immediate effects 88% of Secondary students and 78% of Primary students stated that they felt more confident to try new things. Learning Away’s evaluation has identified key aspects of the residential experience that have made a difference to participants and achieved positive outcomes: Residential visits are a leveller, providing a new space and context where participants are equal, and existing barriers and hierarchies can be broken down The time, space and intensity of the residential experience is key to developing relationships and learning opportunities

www.learningaway.org.uk

“The personal, social and emotional objectives were met beyond our expectations. We witnessed children blooming with confidence, challenging themselves and having fun beyond anything we could arrange in a school environment.” Kathryn Wilson, Dale School, Derby staying at YHA Whitby

Residential visits provide a context and model for students and teachers to explore new ways of teaching and learning.

YHA is also an accredited provider of opportunities to learn outside of the classroom We have worked extensively for the last 12 months with Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC) to design their new ‘Site Award’. LOtC is now recognised throughout the education industry for offering quality accommodation with a team that can help facilitate a great learning experience away from school. 74 Youth Hostels are accredited to LOtC – one of the highest numbers for any single education provider in the UK.

Residential participants create a new community away from their normal distractions. Their stays give them time and space to address their goals (both personal and learning-related) within a supportive environment The memorability of the experience and the shared memories of participants help to maintain the sense of community developed during the stay, back in school

Get Involved

Providing opportunities to experience success in a range of practical and physical challenges impacts on students’ confidence, self-belief and attitude to learning, both on the residential visit and back in the classroom

Whatever your subject and whatever your school’s needs, with YHA School Trips you can be confident of a safe, fulfilling and truly unforgettable residential stay that is totally flexible and tailored to your needs – take a look at www.yha.org.uk/school-trips

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Research shows young people are benefiting 71%

YHA provides accommodation and activities for more than 150,000 school and college pupils annually. We want to continually improve the quality of our services and to increase the number of young people who benefit. To help us achieve this, we are funding a three-year PhD with Leeds Beckett University to examine the impact on young people when they stay with YHA. This research has already demonstrated that YHA has a real impact.

increase in feelings of connection and closeness with others after a four-night YHA stay

School groups were asked to complete a questionnaire at the beginning and end of their stay with YHA. It asked young people questions about their feelings of well-being, freedom of choice and independence, competence, and closeness and connection with others.

Participants reported: A significant increase of 3% in feelings of well-being between the beginning and end of a YHA stay, and a 71% increase in feelings of connection and closeness with others after a four-night YHA stay.* Further studies 1 carried out by Leeds Beckett University identified that outdoor adventurous activities offer a way for school children to meet the challenges of transferring from primary school to secondary school – a pivotal period of adjustment in a young person’s life. The study also identified that outdoor adventurous activities help pupils to feel independent, good at something and valued as a group member. The effect produces short-term gains that help the transition to secondary school. This experience is further enhanced when teachers work closely with experienced activity providers to shape programming to meet the specific needs of the school and its pupils.

Get Involved *From a sample of 191 young people aged 9-22 years. 2,3 See footnotes on page 46.

Contact Liz King to find out more about the PhD study – [email protected]

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Fresh air works wonders Championing the benefits of outdoor recreation for physical and mental well-being.

Mental health – our commitment The Mental Health Charter for Sport and Recreation sets out how sport and recreational activity, including a visit to a Youth Hostel, can significantly contribute to tackling mental health issues and the stigma that surrounds them. The country’s biggest sports organisations (including The Football Association, The Lawn Tennis Association, The Rugby Football Association, English Cricket Board and UK Athletics) have already signed up and we have too.

The physical health benefits of using YHA – facts and figures YHA activities give young people a new interest in the outdoors; decreasing the likelihood of a sedentary lifestyle and contributing toward increased physical and mental health amongst young people

Physical activity is good for your body, and great for your mind too

With two in ten children and adolescents in the UK now classed as overweight or obese, it’s more important than ever to get children active2

Every year, one in four people will experience a mental health problem. Yet it is still something much of the population is reluctant to talk about or address, with 90% of  people with mental health problems having experienced discrimination.

Eating behaviours adopted during the onset of adolescence are likely to be maintained into adulthood, underscoring the importance of healthy eating programmes and the impact on young people from as early an age as possible. 3

The Charter aims to challenge attitudes using the power of sport and recreation. It emphasises the benefits to mental health and well-being of an active lifestyle. And it encourages charities and organisations involved with the outdoor sector to make real progress in tackling issues around poor mental health.

How YHA experiences have helped:

75% of parents/guardians felt that young people were more likely to try a new type of exercise, activity or hobby as a result of attending our YHA Summer Camps

146k

YHA enabled 146,000 families easy access to engage in physical activities in the outdoors in 2014

5k

young people took part in Let’s Get Cooking Sessions that provided healthy eating education and experiences to young people

Get Involved To get involved with the charter and to lend your support, explore #SportMinds on Twitter or www.sportandrecreation.org.uk/mental-health-charter 2,3

See footnotes on page 46.

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YHA Breaks for Kids Funding great opportunities for all

In 2014 YHA awarded grants totalling £278,000, providing 7,458 funded trips for young people. For many it is the only way they can go away from home in a safe environment with their friends. In October 2014 the Children’s Commission on Poverty published a report4 that highlighted the fact that too many children are missing out on the opportunity to make the very most of their education because they struggle to afford the costs of school life. Poverty can make children feel singled out, stigmatised and bullied. Two in five children who live in families that are ‘not well off at all’ have missed a term-time school trip because of the cost. This can affect not just the child’s ability to participate in education but also means children in poverty are missing out on the important social and developmental aspects of school trips. YHA’s Breaks for Kids is our bursary fund for helping disadvantaged children take part in group residentials with their peers, instead of being left behind at home because family budgets won’t allow for a trip away. Group leaders and teachers apply directly to YHA on behalf of the young people planning to visit a Youth Hostel through a  simple and fast system of allocation. Breaks for Kids funding covers up to 50% of the cost of accommodation and meals for young people from low-income households on trips with schools, community groups and charities or other youth groups.

4

See footnotes on page 46.

“Our school is in a deprived area and around 57% of our children are on free school meals. Some have never had a holiday. I want to show them the beauty of the Yorkshire Coast and let them experience the beach, fossil hunting and history of the area. I want the children to aspire to achieve in life and ‘Dream Big’.” Jane Barlow, primary school teacher in Greater Manchester

“This scheme enables us to take our children away, sometimes children that have never left Liverpool. They do not want to come home.” Head Teacher, St Cuthbert’s Primary School, Liverpool

Get Involved Apply for Breaks for Kids funding to support your group’s YHA trip. For more details, the eligibility criteria and the application form, simply go to  www.yha.org.uk/school-trips/funding or to fundraise for us go to www.justgiving.com/yha

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Our Summer Camps make a difference

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Many young people lack opportunities to engage in adventurous outdoor activities because modern society prioritises the preservation of safety, comfort and control above adventure. This contributes to increased obesity and related physical conditions, inability to assess risk independently, increased prevalence of mental health disorders and a decrease in emotional resilience. 5 If young people take part in our outdoor adventurous activities, especially those characterised by an element of unpredictability or controlled risk, these activities provide the opportunity for challenging experiences that result in positive outcomes including well-being, resilience and self-esteem.6 YHA Summer Camps and residentials aim to tackle this trend. Parents, guardians and camp-goers have reported that our Summer Camps have had a lasting positive effect on participants’ confidence, resilience, social skills and willingness to try new things. Our camps have been carefully designed and developed to achieve this.

“He made friends immediately and tried and loved every activity. The first thing he said on his return was ‘can I go next year?’ A huge success.” Parent of a Summer Camp participant

Affordability and Access Our unique bursary scheme, Breaks for Kids, offers up to 75% funding to cover the cost of YHA residential stays for young people from low income households. Additionally, we offer all parents and guardians the opportunity to pay in monthly instalments to help spread the cost of the camp throughout the year.

“I found the camp very good value for money and the payment by instalments was really useful for me as a single parent on a really tight budget… [I’m] really appreciative of all your hard work.” Guardian of a Summer Camp participant

5,6

See footnotes on page 46.

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649 96

The success of our Summer Camps Our 5-day all-inclusive Summer Camps give 10- to 19-year-olds the chance to taste independence, try a range of thrilling outdoor activities, build confidence and make new friends on an unforgettable residential stay in the countryside.

Go eXtreme This camp is fun at full throttle. Participants experience the thrill of activities such as quad biking, zip wire, high ropes and paintballing before the camp culminates in a trip to a theme park. The young people push themselves to test the limits of their physical ability and mental agility.

young people

93%

attended camp in 2014 of participants had the opportunity to try activities they had never done before

68

young people benefited from Breaks for Kids funding

young people volunteered to help in our camps

7%

200

of participants were looked-after young people in foster care or other support

87% said they had learnt new skills

young people were from families in the RAF who were funded through the Poppy Appeal Fund

“I’ve attended this camp for three years now, and each year I have learnt new skills and made new friends.”

91% “The camp was fantastic. I wish it was longer.” Young person on camp

had made friends with people from different backgrounds to their own

Young person on camp

Future Leader Designed to nurture and develop the next generation of camp leaders, this camp gives participants aged 17to 19-years-old the chance to hone all-important life and leadership skills through a series of mental, team and physical challenges. Our future leaders then put all they’ve learnt into practice during the hugely rewarding Kinder Scout challenge and overnight camp.

Action Adventure Our Action Adventure camp is an exhilarating week of outdoor activities set against the backdrop of some of the UK’s most inspiring scenery. We design our Action Adventure activities to make the absolute most of the local landscape. They provide authentic and memorable experiences that encourage young people to challenge themselves, grow as team players and achieve through the support of our dedicated staff and each other.

52%

27%

76%

of participants were aged between 12 and 14 years of age

of participants had stayed with us previously

said they will continue to take part in activities they learned in camp

84%

57%

assessed themselves as having become more independent

said their physical fitness improved

434 surveys were sent to participants post-residential; 68 responses were received. Respondents were asked to rate the relative truth of a statement on a scale of one to ten, with ten meaning ‘very true’. The percentage value relates to the proportion of respondents who rated the statement’s truth as at least 8 out of 10.

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What was the overall benefit of your child attending a YHA Summer Camp? Social skills and self esteem

Parents also see the benefits

87%

of parents/guardians said Summer Camps help to develop positive relationships with other young people

“Built confidence, made new friends and had a wonderful time.”

“Trying things that she had never done before, and meeting others from different areas.”

“Meeting new people, getting away from peer pressure and the pressures of school.”

What was the main reason for your child attending a YHA Summer Camp? Physical

Motivation

“It gave Daniel the opportunity to mix with other young people as he is a single child.”

“I became disabled in 2007 [but I] have done a lot of the activities offered in the camps and wanted Tom to experience them.”

“Annie’s sister has special needs and I wanted to give Annie time to herself to be with friends.”

39%

said it was to gain new experiences

75%

said young people are more likely to try a new exercise, activity or hobby as a result of the Summer Camp experience

72%

of parents/guardians said it improves the physical health and well-being of young people

“Great enjoyment being away from [the] TV and computer, independence skills, fitness and having so much fun.”

“Fresh air and lots of exciting exercise – got him away from his PlayStation! He loved every minute.”

434 surveys were sent to parents/guardians post-residential; 120 responses were received. Respondents were asked to rate the relative truth of a statement on a scale of one to ten, with ten meaning ‘very true’. The percentage value relates to the proportion of respondents who rated the statement’s truth as at least 8 out of 10.

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We welcome everyone Every one of our Summer Camps is carefully tailored to meet the specific needs of our guests, especially those of our partner charities. The Kids Company Summer Programme Many of Kids Company’s children do not have a functioning or supportive parental figure in their lives. School, and its routine during term time, gives children relative protection and structure. However, during the school summer holidays, many of these children feel lost and their basic needs such as access to food, sanitation or safety are not met. To reduce their sense of loneliness and ensure their resilience in times of crisis, Kids Company created their Summer Residential Programme.

Summary of results Attendees were asked to let us know which things they did more than normal while on their residential stay and/or day trip. We received feedback from 268 attendees, and it was encouraging to see self-reports that indicated they: Spent more time outside Got to know other kids more than normal

Nothing can compare to the transformation we witness in our kids throughout holiday time. As they become more trusting and confident in themselves and those around them, friendships are formed. They are able to enjoy themselves in a new environment and forget about the challenges of home life. “Without YHA’s facilities, or their generous donation of £12,000 from the Breaks for Kids fund, it would not be possible to achieve our ambition to meet the needs of our most vulnerable children during the summer. YHA offers immense flexibility needed by us considering the backgrounds of the children accessing our services. We asked our staff and young people a series of questions to help us better understand their experiences during these residentials.”

82%

Got to know adults more than normal

76%

Were more creative than normal

70%

Ate more healthy food

YHA works with Kids Company to deliver specific outcomes based on the requirements of each group; one of these was the Gang Prevention Camp, devised to promote inclusivity, team work, and trust.

From the Kids Company Evaluation Report, October 2014:

83%

62% 60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Feedback sheets

Giving children their childhood back “One child who went on a YHA residential stay was a 12-year-old boy who had been a young carer in his home due to his mother being addicted to alcohol and experiencing mental health problems. When we pieced together his life story we realised he had hardly any experience of being a child. After staying with us he reported having, at certain points, felt free of stress and worry. This may seem like a small detail but it is absolutely priceless. By restoring some sense of childhood for him we can have a positive impact on his whole life.”

Young people’s experiences Coping mechanisms for challenges: “She found hiking particularly difficult; she developed personal strategies to conquer the challenges of hiking, for instance by giving herself a step-by-step guide, taking each step at a time.”

Healthy essentials: Sleep, Exercise, Diet: “He really thrived off the exercise and was revelling in how it made him feel and the muscles he was developing from it. He was really keen to continue the exercise when he got home.”

Notable moment: “She reflected that she wasn’t homesick as the opportunity of a residential meant that she could get out of the house and do something. [Client] told [Staff] her mum couldn’t afford to take her out, she wished her mum could see how beautiful the Peak District was.”

On their feedback sheets, attendees were also asked to circle all the things they learned about themselves during the week. Here, clients reported discovering that they: Can learn something new

77%

Are brave

73%

Are fun

72%

Believe in themselves

69%

Can work well as a team

65%

Are good leaders

NDCS National Deaf Children’s Society YHA ran two tailor-made camps for the National Deaf Children’s Society. 75 young people and 30 staff attended them.

The results1 Young people’s feedback from National Deaf Children’s Society: Said they had tried a new activity

The camps gave attendees the opportunity to mix and socialise with other young people in a similar situation. The interaction helps to alleviate feelings of isolation and offer fresh challenges that broaden the participants’ experience base.

Felt more confident

Did something they didn’t think they could

73%

Felt more independent

73%

56%

Are caring

70%

77%

56%

Encourage others

54%

Are respected

of Summer Camp attendees discover they can learn something new

50% 0%

60%

85%

Said they’d shown more independence

1

50%

70%

80%

80%

Said their child learned something new

43% 40%

75%

Parent/guardian feedback

53%

Are patient

77%

(either in communication or general confidence)

56%

Can chill out in quiet times

77%

25%

50%

75%

 eedback from all 36 YHA Castleton Losehill Hall camp-goers. F Parent/guardian feedback came from our post-event survey.

100%

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Creating opportunities for families One of the most special groups of people we work with are families and younger children. It is really important for YHA to introduce new young people to the exciting world of youth hostelling – the sense of adventure it provides; the setting to spend quality time with your family; the safe and unique communal environment that our social spaces provide. It is nice to stop staring at mobile devices for a bit, and enjoy England and Wales in all their glory.

Three great examples of our work with younger children: YHA works with The Family Holiday Association7 who say: “more than 1.46 million families in the UK – that’s 4.74 million people – cannot even afford a day out together. They miss out on the positive benefits that spending time together away from the hardest of daily grinds can bring. Short breaks can give struggling families the strength to cope with the many challenges they face in their daily lives”.

How we helped them

FAB YHA also continues to support bereaved military families through our Family Activity Breaks (FAB). Children who have lost parents who were service personnel, spend quality time with their families in a safe environment in Youth Hostels. They take part in normal summer holiday activities during a challenging time. Their families are supported too, with days at the beach, ice creams, visits to fun fairs and adventurous activities. Project Director Lt Col Belinda Forsythe says: “FAB is a unique opportunity for these families to meet and support one another. They draw strength from others in the same position and it gives them the confidence to rebuild their lives. The kindness and generosity of the people of Whitby, Coverack and South Downs and across their wider communities, has been much appreciated.”

Family Cohesion Camps provide a three-night stay, food, and educational activities for disadvantaged families who have been unable to have a holiday in a number of years. At YHA Castleton Losehill Hall, our Family Cohesion Camps were attended by 28 adults and 57 children. After the family camps 80% of families report feeling happier.

“Families really appreciated the time together and responded well to encouragement to try new and low risk activities.” (Project Co Author) 8

There isn’t much that is more important to the health and well-being of young children than healthy eating. Our partnership with the healthy cooking club Let’s Get Cooking offers a mix of cookery in a purpose-built cookery classroom, and outdoor challenges that increase knowledge of healthy eating and contribute towards young people adopting healthy lifestyles into adulthood. The programme includes: food additive bingo, a food miles challenge and lots of messy cookery. This year, Let’s Get Cooking also included seasonal events. In December 40 young people visited YHA for a Christmasthemed meal, making everything, including candles and table decorations.

7,8

See footnotes on page 46.

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A socially important programme YHA are proud to support. National Citizen Service (NCS) is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for 16- and 17-year-olds. They take part in outdoor activities, meet new people and have the chance to give something back to their communities. Through NCS, their confidence grows as they learn new skills that they can put on CVs and university and college applications. NCS runs across England in the summer and during academic breaks in the autumn and spring. It is a flagship voluntary programme for 16- and 17-yearolds, which aims to create: A more engaged society – by enabling young people to work together on social action projects in and with their communities

National Citizen Service

A more cohesive society – by mixing young people of different genders, places, ethnicities, religions, abilities, and socio-economic and educational backgrounds with each other and older generations A more responsible society – by supporting young people’s transition to adulthood through personal social development, challenging activities and guided reflection. 2015 promises to be another successful year with more than 6,000 young people booked to experience their NCS residential stay with YHA.

Get Involved If you are 16 or 17 you can take part in NCS right now. If you’re younger you can register your interest now and we’ll be in touch when you’re ready for this once in a lifetime opportunity. ncsyes.force.com/myncs/ncsregister

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2,427

£1.1m

374

active YHA volunteers last year who contributed 176,394 hours of support to the organisation

The total value of volunteering hours that were contributed

young people gained a John Muir Award from staying with YHA. The John Muir Award is an environmental award that encourages people of all backgrounds to connect, enjoy and care for wild places

of these volunteers were under 26. They gained valuable work experience and the opportunity to learn new skills

21%

Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award Feedback collected at the end of the residential stay identified how participants felt their skills had improved as a result of their experience volunteering with YHA.

Developing life skills through volunteering YHA supports young people in their career development by providing work experience opportunities in our Youth Hostels.

Young people are nearly three times more likely to be unemployed than the rest of the population – the largest gap in more than 20 years. YHA wants to be an effective provider of useful volunteering opportunities for young people – a place where they can use their skills to obtain a job or, as is the case for many, go on to work for YHA. Youth participation in social action initiatives helps develop critical employment skills and further development into adulthood – skills such as empathy, problem solving, cooperation and a sense of community that participants need for life and work.9 Through YHA, people are able to volunteer in a wide range of roles such as running a small Youth Hostel for a week, completing a wide variety of work placements, joining working parties to keep Youth Hostels and their grounds maintained, participating in our new ‘Office Angels’ programme and supporting our Summer Camps.

Confidence

66%

Practical skills

YHA Edale Volunteer

71%

Independent travel skills

Young Volunteers

54%

Understanding of others

65%

Employability skills

58%

Motivation to volunteer

73% 0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

219 surveys were sent to participants after their residential stays; 68 responses were received.

Duke of Edinburgh Volunteering for Duke of Edinburgh Bronze, Silver and Gold awards is now the most successful youth volunteering product that YHA organise – with 8,780 volunteering hours donated to YHA by 219 participants. Young people over the age of 16 can apply to do their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award. One part comprises a five-day, four night residential trip, staying away from home, completing a volunteering activity with others. The experience provides a unique opportunity for young people to develop the skills and attitudes they need to seek employment and to interact effectively with others in the workplace. See footnotes on page 46.

“It was great – I had loads of fun, met new people, tried new things, loved helping out and feeling like I made a difference. All the staff were beyond lovely and helpful and I can’t rate it highly enough.”

74%

Social skills

9,10

90%

of new enquiries about volunteering at YHA are from young people

We know barriers to youth volunteering include a lack of time, concerns regarding the cost of volunteering, and a lack of awareness of opportunities.10 YHA’s youth network was launched in 2013 to address these barriers. Young Volunteers introduces young people to YHA and our volunteering opportunities, and supports them in building relationships within the organisation. In this way they can increase how frequently they commit to YHA and consider what part they want to play in our future. The network provides an engaged audience for YHA to develop lasting conversations about the views and needs of younger customers, volunteers, members and supporters.

Get Involved Find out how volunteering at YHA can benefit you and our charity. Go to: www.yha.org.uk/volunteering

30  Impact Review 2014/2015

Impact Review 2014/2015  31

How volunteers are benefiting During the summer, 68 volunteers acted as team leaders to support a Camp Manager at each YHA Summer Camp. As a result of the hard work and talent of these volunteers, more than 600 young people experienced a camp in 2014. In order to assess the benefits that volunteering at our  camps brought to individual volunteers we conducted an online survey and a series of telephone interviews with our 2013 and 2014 Summer Camp volunteers in October 2014. The results are really impressive:

Summary of results: The impact of Summer Camps on personal qualities and skills Confidence

Increased 90%

Motivation to volunteer

Increased 80%

Employability

Increased 80%

Personal Fulfilment

Increased 88%

Team Working

Increased 82%

Life Skills

Increased 84%

Understanding of others

Increased 92%

Friendships

“I have more confidence and am more versatile than I thought.”

Increased 88% 60%

Increased

70%

80%

90%

100%

% responses

Unaffected The online survey attracted 45 responses (34%), and telephone interviews were held with 62 volunteers (47%).

70%

48%

of respondents of people said they would volunteer for volunteer more camp with as a result of their intentions of experience progressing into a career with young people

40% of the respondents had never volunteered before

“I learned I want to be a teacher and that I can push myself  further than I thought possible.”

Volunteers were also asked to assess the impact of their camp experience on personal qualities and skills. This showed that young volunteers gained confidence, new skills and understanding related to working with others. Volunteers also said they thought they were more likely to be offered employment as a result of working with us on the Summer Camps programme. The high level of these responses indicate that not only is the camp experience positive for the individual and YHA but also for the voluntary sector as a whole.

“YHA Summer Camps have been a perfect stepping stone into a career working with young people. Summer Camps helped to equip me with some fantastic skills, such as teamwork, communication and leadership that I’ve been able to draw on since, both in applications and in my current job.” Victoria Hill, Volunteer

32  Impact Review 2014/2015

Impact Review 2014/2015  33

As an Investors in People Goldaccredited employer, YHA offers work experience, entry level roles and great career opportunities for young people.

“It is fantastic to work with these three young men who have turned their lives around with YHA; our organisation  has opened doors for them.” Steve Roberts, YHA St Paul’s Manager

Centrepoint YHA London St Paul’s works with Centrepoint, a leading charity which provides accommodation and support to homeless people aged 16-25. Often the young people they work with have missed out on formal education and vocational training – a massive barrier into independent living. Their Workwise Programme provides support into employment starting with a two- or four-week volunteering opportunity. Four young people from Centrepoint have completed work-experience placements at YHA London St Paul’s in the catering and reception teams, and we are so pleased that three have gone on to be employed at the Youth Hostel. Two years ago Francis joined us. After his four weeks’ volunteering we offered him a part-time position in the kitchen. He then made his way to Kitchen Team Leader and is now Acting Catering Manager covering in the absence of a Catering Manager

AMEY In support of National Apprenticeship week, 170 apprentices from AMEY, a major public services company, celebrated the occasion with a week-long volunteering challenge to support local communities by helping to refurbish youth hostel accommodation. Their work included painting and decorating, grounds work, preparing classrooms and path laying. In the process, they developed key work place skills, like resilience, team work, communication, problem solving and leadership.

Apprenticeships YHA is currently working with HIT (Hospitality Industry Training) to provide NVQ apprenticeships in Hospitality, Front of House and Food Production and Cooking. Our NVQ apprentices are paid the same rate as our staff, which is unusual for apprenticeships and something YHA is very proud of.

We also offered James a part-time role after his two week placement at St Paul’s. He then became full time and was the first person to join the YHA apprenticeship scheme. He is so professional in his work that he went to Cambridge last month to provide cover in their kitchen

Equipping young people for success

Finally, Konah came on a two-week work experience placement a month ago. He blew us away with his enthusiasm and wanting to better himself. His customer service is second to none – so much so, in fact, he joined the team.

James – Hostel Manager of the Year, YHA Eden project

Get Involved To look at some of our great job opportunities, go to: www.yhacareers.co.uk

34  Impact Review 2014/2015

Impact Review 2014/2015  35

Mam Tor Derbyshire Peak District

A year in the life of

YHA Castleton Losehill Hall In 2014 YHA Castleton Losehill Hall was visited by 17,500 guests, of which 10,700 were young people.

Educational Impact

11k

The outdoor learning history and geography programmes combine a range of activities including a medieval banquet, longbow archery and learning archaeological digging skills, exploring the local Castleton village, GPS orienteering, use of the Losehill Hall farm and a cookery programme. The outdoor PE programme has developed pupils’ confidence and teamwork skills through activities such as outdoor cooking and GPS tracking.

school and college pupils were accommodated in 2014 at YHA Castleton Losehill Hall

Teacher feedback is positive and identifies the programme’s links with the curriculum.

482

Health Impact

young people of limited means were accommodated by bursary funding at YHA Castleton Losehill Hall

The outdoor learning education programmes at Losehill Hall provide a range of associated health benefits. Each pupil spends on average an estimated five hours engaging in outdoor physical exercise per teaching day. Increased levels of physical

exercise and interaction with greenspace have contributed to the improved physical and emotional well-being and mental health of pupils11. Young people who stay at YHA Castleton Losehill Hall exceeded UK Government physical exercise guidelines during their stay, resulting in physical and mental health benefits12. Those who undertook the Action and Adventure Youth Programme participated daily in activities including: kayaking, canoeing, raft building, climbing/abseiling, mountain/ hill walking, weaseling, caving, orienteering, rope course, search and rescue, and archery. The activities provided vigorous physical activity and associated health and well-being benefits for each young person. YHA Castleton Losehill Hall has easy access to walking, mountain biking, cycling, climbing and running routes. Each walker in the Castleton

countryside has a positive economic impact on the local community, generating an average income of £3.80 per walker and burning at least 100 kcal per mile13. Run YHA was launched in 2014 and involved a two mile run, six mile run and half marathon trail race. The event provided a range of health and well-being benefits for each runner, including burning on average around 1400kcal of energy.

Volunteering and Charity Partnerships YHA Castleton Losehill Hall hosts a number of volunteering and charity events. Friends of the Earth Base Camp 2014 involved a weekend of events and activities including debate sessions, bee-friendly gardening, poetry, dry stone walling, and upcycling. RBS use YHA facilities for management development courses. In 2014 they constructed an outdoor pizza oven, a giant slingshot and wooden bridges. They also built a replica of a prehistoric monument: a ‘new’ Stonehenge, which went on to be used as an educational resource for young people. From the RBS corporate volunteering days, 41% of participants had their first taste of volunteering, while 58% had their first experience of staying in a youth hostel.

Community Outreach YHA Castleton Losehill Hall hosts a number of community events throughout the year, bringing social and economic benefits to the locality, young people and families. Based on an average spend of £64 per night14, the generated spend in the local economy of 21,704 overnight stays was an estimated £2,029,056 in 2014.

11,12,13,14

See footnotes on page 46.

£64 21,704 £2m average spend per night

overnight stays

total spend in local economy

“The most beneficial part was the opportunities for the pupils to develop teamwork/social skills.” (Teacher)

36  Impact Review 2014/2015

Impact Review 2014/2015  37

Exciting new hostels for 2014 We are continually adapting and investing in our network. During the last three years have invested £21m in our Youth Hostels. We are receiving brilliant customer feedback results from all of our Youth Hostels, and this year we are really happy to score 90% in our customer satisfaction survey for the first time.

90% score in our customer satisfaction survey for the first time

During this year we have opened some really iconic sites: YHA Brighton

And one for the future… The Sill

It is such a proud moment when YHA opens a brilliant new Youth Hostel and YHA Brighton is no exception. We were delighted to be joined by the Minister for Coastal Communities, Penny Mordaunt MP, to celebrate the work that has been achieved by YHA in this buzzing South Coast city. YHA received a £235,000 grant from the Government’s Coastal Communities Fund to assist in making YHA Brighton a world class Youth Hostel. We are very grateful for this, and the Government acknowledged our achievement.

The Sill is an ambitious project that will see the Northumberland National Park Authority and YHA work together in one building incorporating a landscape discovery centre and a 90-bed Youth Hostel. This project secured Heritage Lottery funding in 2014, and construction is scheduled to start in the autumn of 2015.

YHA Eden Project YHA take pride in being a sustainable, innovative and environmentally conscious charity. All of these values are encompassed within our fantastic new site based at the Eden Project in Cornwall. YHA Eden Project opened its ‘SnoozeBox’ doors to the public this year, and visitors are already coming from all over the world to experience this new YHA experience.

YHA Brighton

YHA Black Sail – off to a great start We were delighted that young people from the local school – Ennerdale and Kinninside Church of England Primary – could join YHA to officially open the refurbishment of YHA Black Sail, in Cleator, Cumbria. Pupils at the school had created some fantastic pieces of artwork to celebrate.

And also… We refurbished YHA Cambridge which re-opened in March 2014 and secured the long leasehold of additional space at YHA Oxford Street.

Built from shipping containers, YHA Eden project offers unique and innovative accommodation that visitors to The Eden Project and Cornwall can enjoy.

YHA Cardiff The all-new YHA Cardiff is so cool. Cardiff is such a key destination for many young people visiting Wales that we were pleased to be able to completely upgrade our accommodation in the Welsh capital. Young people told us that Cardiff is important not just for visiting the city, but also as a gateway to their adventures in the rest  of Wales.

“dewch i weld drosoch eich hun!” “Come see for yourself!”

YHA Black Sail

YHA Cardiff

38  Impact Review 2014/2015

Impact Review 2014/2015  39

More ways to stay with us YHA take great pride in the way  that our accommodation provides a unique experience for the people who stay with us. Where else, but YHA, would you find:

YHA offers an unrivalled range of alternative accommodation at our properties. Our new menu of accommodation includes:

Cabins Six-sided timber cabins available at YHA Canterbury and YHA Hawkshead.

Camping Pods

YHA Stratford

Self-catering kitchens – for cooking meals with friends and families and maybe people you haven’t met yet

Available at 7 locations: YHA Hawkshead, YHA Borrowdale, YHA Grinton Lodge, YHA Malham, YHA South Downs, YHA Stratford-Upon-Avon, YHA Manobier.

Comfortable social spaces to relax, talk about your day’s adventures and meet new friends

Huts

Outside spaces – to enjoy an evening drink or community ad-hoc game of football

Camping huts are caravan-like shelters that offer a real back-to-nature experience.

Interpretation spaces and quiet rooms to stir your interest.

Camping

YHA doesn’t just want to open up new places to visit. We also want you to have new experiences, with new people too. It’s what makes us what we are.

Camping and Cabins Young people told us they wanted more camping at our sites and thought it was a great way to introduce their friends to what a Youth Hostel is. We are making the most of our fabulous locations, and we have invested £1 million in camping, glamping and cabin facilities at many of our Youth Hostels. We are already known for our network of Youth Hostels, and our investment in camping and cabin facilities is designed to make YHA even more accessible to everyone.

You can now camp at YHA Treyarnon in Cornwall

YHA South Downs

Families can pitch up their tent in the hostel grounds and reap all the benefits of our Youth Hostel facilities.

31

YHAs now include camping facilities across England and Wales

Perfect for families who like camping but don’t like roughing it, YHA’s solar powered luxury bell tents are available for those who still want to be under the stars.

Camping Barns YHA’s camping barns or ‘stone tents’, offer a more substantial shelter from the elements than a tent. Families and large groups can enjoy the remote, minimal nature of camping but under a sturdy roof.

Membership Retention Campaign For those who either forget to renew, or don’t see the value, this piece was a reminder to renew their membership. We reminded members of our top deals with partners, and the great value of booking direct and renewing by Direct Debit (in some cases, it’s cheaper than a pair of wellies!). We included a map with ideas about where to go next – and a useful keepsake for those who needed a bit more reminding to get their membership renewed.

Impact Review 2014/2015  41

An awardwinning year YHA won the Best UK Hotel award in the Guardian Travel Awards in 2014/15. Marriott were 2nd, Radisson 3rd, Premier Inn 5th and Travelodge 17th.

Stop press! As we write, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has shortlisted YHA Black Sail, YHA Snowdon Pen y Pass and YHA Brighton for tourism and leisure awards. YHA also won the Innovation in Marketing award at the Global Youth Travel Awards (GYTAs). The GYTAs, now in its eighth year, provides a platform to celebrate and reward high achievers, gain recognition and raise the profile of the work and individual successes of organisations engaged in youth, student and educational travel, to, from and within the UK.

This is the first time YHA has won the award – not only  as a provider of unique opportunities for young people but recognised as a place that everyone wants to stay at. YHA Black Sail and YHA Borrowdale were runners up in The Great Outdoors (TGO) awards for best walking accommodation.

Members Passport

YHA (England and Wales) National Office has won an International Safety Award with Merit from the British Safety Council in recognition of its commitment to keeping its workers and workplaces healthy and safe during the 2014 calendar year.

YHA’s GYTA award was for our Live More campaigns. These are about enabling young people to make the most of their freedom, and experience more of what England and Wales has to offer, at a price that they can afford. Many of the GYTA awards this year were largely dominated by brands such as Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, Virgin Holidays, TUI and large national tourist boards, and YHA’s inclusion demonstrates that we are competing with and are being recognised amongst the best in welcoming people to visit England and Wales.

And the awards kept on coming: At the Travel Marketing Awards YHA was awarded:

1st

1st 3rd

1st place for Best Experiential Marketing – for Run YHA 2014

And, at The British Youth Travel Awards, we won:

1st 1st place in the ‘Best Marketing’

Run YHA

3rd 1st

1st

3rd place for Best Direct Marketing for the YHA Members Passport

Also, at the Global Youth Travel Awards, we picked up:

3rd

1st Innovation in Marketing

1st

TMA Trophies

3rd

1st

42  Impact Review 2014/2015

Impact Review 2014/2015  43

Key Performance Indicators

A snapshot of an exceptional financial year

2015

2014

2013

2012

Reaching out and enhancing the lives of 1 million young people

518,000

419,000

392,000

415,000

Volunteering hours

176,394

152,000

120,000

109,000

Customer net promotion score

65%

65%

62%

60%

Membership renewals

75%

69%

65%

63%

Number of overnights

1,805,000

1,761,000

1,747,000

1,761,000

Occupancy

56.8%

53.3%

53.2%

51.3%

Spend per overnight £.p

£23.78

£22.32

£21.95

£22.50

Net cash generation from operations

£1.6m

£0.1m

£0.1m

£0.2m

Financial Performance Review 2015

2014

2013

£ million

£ million

£ million

43.4

40.0

39.1

(29.0)

(28.1)

(26.9)

Hostel surplus

14.4

11.9

12.2

Membership and fundraising income

2.2

2.0

1.6

(8.8)

(8.3)

(7.9)

Surplus before maintenance & investment

7.8

5.6

5.9

Current year maintenance & investment

(4.4)

(3.7)

(3.9)

Loan repayment & interest on previous investment

(1.8)

(1.8)

(1.9)

1.6

0.1

0.1

Hostel revenues Hostel direct costs

Non hostel costs

Operating surplus

The format of the above operating statement is presented in line with YHA’s internal management accounts. The reporting highlights the operating cash surplus generated to fund ongoing maintenance and investment in the hostel network. In 2014/15 the surplus before maintenance and investment was £7.8m, a £2.2m increase on last year’s figure. This cash was then used to pay for ongoing repairs and maintenance of £4.4m, including £1.2m of a capital nature. A further £1.8m was required to pay for interest and capital repayments on loans previously taken out to pay for major capital investments. A cash surplus of £1.6m was achieved this year.

YHA would like to thank funders including Snowdonia National Park, Visit Wales and the Coastal Communities Fund who have supported our hostel investment programme. We would also like to acknowledge the generous financial support received in 2014 from the legacies of many past members together with life time donations. All of these contributions help to sustain long term investment in YHA’s network and enable YHA to reach more disadvantaged young people. We thank you for your donations which are all greatly appreciated.

44  Impact Review 2014/2015

Impact Review 2014/2015  45

How YHA is governed Patron

Board of Trustees

Her Majesty The Queen

Nelarine Cornelius

President

James Blake

Rt. Hon. Richard Caborn Vice Presidents

Lindsey Fairbrother

Sir Chris Bonington CBE

Harry Horton

Prof Michael Dower CBE

Ian Maginnis

Sir John Johnson KCMG

Helen Maurice-Jones

Rt. Hon. Patrick McLouglin MP

Margo Muris (Co-opted)

Lord Paul Tyler

Josie Murray Chris Roberts

National Officers Chairman Chris Darmon Vice Chair

Nicola Scrivings Vinay Talwar Paul Wright

Peter Gaines

Paula Yates

Treasurer

Chief Executive and Company Secretary

Alan Bourne

Caroline White

Directors Jake Chalmers (Property) William Howarth (Finance and IT) Joe Lynch (Digital, Sales & Marketing) Jerry Robinson (Operations) Karen Shotbolt (People)

To ensure that everything we do remains true to our charitable objective, we have a very robust governance structure. Governance The Board of Trustees has overall responsibility for the work of YHA, particularly in setting strategy and direction. The Board has 15 members and up to two co-opted members. All Trustees are unpaid volunteers recruited from the wider membership by the Council Nominations Panel and elected at the AGM.

46  Impact Review 2014/2015

Impact Review 2014/2015  47

Proving the positive impact we make

Where you can stay with YHA

Berwick

Wooler

1. Allan, J., McKenna, J., Buckland, H., Bell, R. (2014) Physical Education Matters Spring 2014. 2. American Heart Association (March 2015), Physical Activity Improves Quality of Life, American Heart Association. 3. Shepherd J, Harden A, Rees R, Brunton G, Garcia J, Oliver S, Oakley A (2001) Young people and healthy eating: a systematic review of research on barriers and facilitators. London: EPPI-Centre, Social Science Research Unit, Institute of Education, University of London. 4. The Children’s Commission on Poverty (2014) At what cost? Exposing the impact of poverty on school life.

YHA Youth Hostel

Alnwick

*

Byrness

North East

Bellingham

To make sure YHA creates the best possible impact, we strive to measure and record everything we do. We use the very latest academic and social studies, along with our own research, to truly demonstrate the benefits of our great charity. The following are sources of facts and figures quoted on the previous pages.

Map Key

National Parks

Once Brewed (Hadrian’s Wall) Carlisle Edmundbyers Caldbeck Ninebanks Alston Durham Cockermouth Skiddaw Keswick Dufton Borrowdale Hawse End Langdon Beck Helvellyn Buttermere Patterdale Ennerdale Blackton Grange Grasmere Whitby Brompton Langdale Boggle Hole Black Sail Ambleside Osmotherley Dalby Forest Honister Hause Windermere Scarborough Grinton Lodge Wasdale Hall Hawes Helmsley Eskdale Coniston Holly How Arnside Coniston Coppermines Kettlewell Ingleton Hawkshead Malham Slaidburn York Earby Leeds Carnegie Village Chipping Beverley Friary Haworth Trawden Leeds Kirkstall Brewery Leeds Opal Mankinholes

5. Moss, S., Natural Childhood. The National Trust (2012). 6. Rickinson, M., Dillon, J., Teamey, K., Morris, M., Choi, M. Y., Sanders, D., & Benefield, P., A review of research on outdoor learning, London: Field Studies Council (2004). 7. For more information about the Family Holiday Association please visit www.familyholidayassociation.org.uk

Yorkshire

8. Family Holiday Association (2012) Holidays Matter: Case Study 2 The educational benefits of social tourism with Family Learning Adventures.

North West

9. The Behavioural Insights Team (2015) Evaluating Youth Social Action, An Interim Report. Does Participating in Social Action Boost the Skills Young People Need to Succeed in Adult Life?

Liverpool Anglesey

10. National Centre for Social Research (2011) Formative Evaluation of The National Young Volunteers Service.

Conwy Rowen Idwal Cottage Betws-y-Coed

Llanberis Snowdon Ranger Bryn Gwynant

Snowdon Pen-y-Pass

11. Department of Health (2011) Start Active, Stay Active: A report on physical activity from the four home countries, Chief Medical Officers.

Manchester Edale Barn Edale Ravenstor Underbank Nab End Sheen Wills Waterslacks

Castleton Losehill Hall Hathersage

Woody’s Top Eyam Taddington Sherwood Forest Youlgreave Hartington Hall

Dimmingsdale Ilam Hall Ironbridge Coalbrookdale

Kings

12. Mike Christie and Jon Matthews (2003), The Economic and Social Value of Walking in Rural England, Report for the Ramblers’ Association, Ramblers’ Association, London.

Bridges

Borth

Wales Poppit Sands Newport Pwll Deri

13. Jerry Morris and Adrianne Hardman 1997, ‘Walking to health’ in Sports Medicine 23.

Leominster

Dolgoch

Tyncornel

Heart of England

Kington

Llanddeusant

Danywenallt Manorbier Rhossili Gower

Swansea

Llangattock

Perranporth

Minehead

Portreath Penzance Land’s End

*

Beer

Boswinger

Great Hound Tor

St Pauls

Medway

Tanners Hatch Holmbury

Puttenham

London

Salisbury Truleigh Hill

Portland

South Downs

Littlehampton New Forest Brighton

Lulworth

Litton Cheney

Eden Project

Coverack Lizard

Cholderton

Street

South West

Okehampton Dartmoor

Jordans

London Lee Valley Oxford St St Pancras Thameside

Earl’s Court

Cheddar

Okehampton Bracken Tor

Treyarnon Bay

London Central

Slimbridge

Bath

Exford Northcombe

Mor Lodge

Oxford

Streatley

Elmscott

Tintagel

Stour Valley

Milton Keynes

Bristol

Pinkery

Boscastle Harbour

Hawkwood College

St Briavels Castle

Port Eynon

Mullacott

Blaxhall

Stow-onthe-Wold

Wye Valley

Brecon Beacons

Broad Haven

Cambridge

Stratfordupon-Avon

St David’s

14. Tourism Alliance (2015) UK Tourism Statistics.

East of England

Wilderhope Manor

Clun Mill

Sheringham

Thurlby

National Forest

Ironbridge Coalport

All Stretton

Wells-next-the-Sea Hunstanston

East Midlands

Swanage Totland

Isle of Wight Cowes UKSA Brighstone

Telscombe

The Island of Jersey Jersey-Durrell Wildlife Hostel

Eastbourne

Canterbury

48  Impact Review 2014/2015

Impact Review 2014/2015  49

Start making a positive impact with us Get Involved We’d love to hear from you and help you find out more about YHA. Have a look at where you can stay with us – www.yha.org.uk Take your school away with YHA – www.yha.org.uk/school-trips Apply for financial support to stay with us – www.yha.org.uk/about-yha/ breaks-for-kids

Volunteer with us – www.yha.org.uk/volunteering Work with a great team, for a great charity, including through apprenticeships – www.yhacareers.co.uk Get all the information you need about our Summer Camps – www.yhasummercamps.co.uk Find out about bespoke residential stays. Talk to our specialists – www.yha.org.uk/group-enquiries

50  Impact Review 2014/2015

Impact Review 2014/2015  51

Valued partners We realise that by creating strong partnerships with many other organisations we are able to engage and support more young people. Below are just some of the great partners we’ve worked with this year and who have helped us in many different ways. We are extremely grateful for their support.

?

National Citizen Service www.ncsyes.co.uk

Let’s Get Cooking www.letsgetcooking.org.uk

Duke of Edinburgh Award www.dofe.org

FAB www.fabcamps.org.uk

May Day Trust www.maydaytrust.org.uk

John Muir Trust www.jmt.org

Mosaic www.cnp.org.uk/sector/mosaic

NSPCC www.nspcc.org.uk

Investors in Volunteers www.iiv.investinginvolunteers.org.uk

Coastal Communities Fund www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/ global-content/programmes/ uk-wide/coastal-communities

Learning Outside the Classroom www.lotc.org.uk

National Deaf Children’s Society www.ndcs.org.uk

Your organisation here next year

Chance for Change www.chanceforchange.org.uk

Football League Trust www.football-league.co.uk

Investors in People www.investorsinpeople.co.uk

The Sill www.thesill.org.uk

Hostelling International www.hihostels.com

Are you part of an organisation that may be able to help YHA? Please don’t hesitate to get in touch. The new walls at YHA Cardiff [photo courtesy of hoffi.com]

52  Impact Review 2014/2015

Impact Review 2014/2015  53

And a special thanks to you YHA would not be so successful without thousands of people – our staff, our volunteers, our members and all of the people who stay with us.

Thank you to all our staff and volunteers. In particular, we are grateful to the following people, who have received Long Service Awards for more than 25 years’ service to YHA:

Every one of them makes YHA such a unique place to stay and ensures that we will continue to have a positive impact on the next generation of young people.

Honorary life memberships are awarded to individuals for an outstanding service above and beyond their normal duties.

Geoff Parsons Geoff McLeavy

Chris Boulton Ann Graham Sue Mackinnon Fred Mogridge Helen Race

“It’s been a wonderful journey so far – and we couldn’t have done it without you. Thank you.”

YHA England & Wales, Trevelyan House, Dimple Road, Matlock, Derbyshire DE4 3YH Freephone: 0800 0191 700  |  Telephone: 01629 592 700  |  www.yha.org.uk Registered Charity Number: 306122  |  Company Number: 202555 YHA (England & Wales) is a member of Hostelling International