1846
1846-1875: The Early Years
1860
1875-1941: Responding To World Events
At Mount Pleasant it continued to provide shelter for homeless people, run-away children. It developed night school classes for uneducated people to gain access to university courses, rambling clubs, cycling clubs, football, debating clubs and much more. Its funds came through membership subscriptions from several hundred citizens. It became a staging post for immigrants from UK and Ireland leaving for the new world and operated a bank for those individuals to send money home for their relatives.
Throughout the 1st world war and the great depression YMCA Liverpool survived the depletion of its resources and maintained a consistent service for the poorer working classes. Many of its members and staff joined up in the Great War including the deputy CEO. It survived from year to year on the donations of members and a sizable legacy of Mr Samuel Smith a former Chair and President of the YMCA from 1888.
During the great depression the Gymnasiums opened its doors to the long term unemployed providing free services to the poorest communities in Liverpool.
It was during this time in 1932 Liverpool YMCA opened Everton Boys Club, which had a coffee bar and youth centre. From here martial arts and boxing clubs were formed. Its members excelled in regional and national competitions. These clubs are still around today under different names and in different places but have their origin at the YMCA.
1877
1880
1920
1939
1941-1946: The War Years
Mount Pleasant continued to operate until 1941, and after bomb damage sustained in the Blitz, was requisitioned by the American Army and used as a barracks for the soldiers in preparation for D-day. Following the successful landings the American army used it as a staging post for injured servicemen prior to their return to the States.
With no buildings of their own the YMCA rented property close to Lime Street Station, not a safe place to be during a war, but remained in business offering cheap accommodation to the thousands of service men and women coming in and out of the city throughout the war.
What is astounding is that from 1939 to 1945, the YMCA delivered 18,620,316 meals to (bombed out) homeless families, through 14,000 volunteers and provided 665,799 bed spaces. Through its work from tea vans on the docks it kept up the morale of the Anti-aircraft guns, welcomed returning sailors from the arctic convoys and mourned the ships that failed to return.
1946-1956: Out Of The Ashes
1949
1950
1955
1958
2002-2007: Redevelopment
In September 2002, the Trustees decided that the best way forward was to sell Mount Pleasant and develop a new centre on Leeds Street. This was achieved, and on 13th August 2007 the new centre was opened. It houses 70 formerly homeless people in 40 en-suite rooms and 30 one bed flats. There is extensive support programmes relating to health, education, employment and basic life skills. We also run outdoor activities and provide opportunities for our residents to participate in campaigning for justice and other exciting initiatives.
As we look forward to the future we are convinced that we should continue in the way we have proceeded since 1846 – driving forward new exciting and innovative schemes that are the cutting edge. We want to share our success with others to achieve this we want to not just meet the highest standards but set them.
2007
2016
2017
2019
As you can see, the YMCA Liverpool has seen many changes since its inception in 1846. The aims and principles have not changed over the years; we still provide support and encouragement to people in need – maybe our current client group is different but they still present with the same problems.