YMCA Together to be honoured with Freedom of the City of Liverpool

YMCA Together, a leading charitable organisation dedicated to supporting people who are experiencing challenging times in their lives, is to be awarded the prestigious Freedom of the City of Liverpool. 

The esteemed accolade, which is the highest civic honour and bestowed on organisations and individuals to recognise exceptional services, is a testament to YMCA Together’s longstanding commitment to serving across the North West of England since 1846.

They join other past recipients including Jurgen Klopp, BBC Radio Merseyside and Jimmy McGovern. 

“We are incredibly honoured to receive the Freedom of the City of Liverpool,” said Ellie McNeil, CEO of YMCA Together. 

“It is a symbol of trust, respect, and gratitude from the city and this recognition is a reflection of the dedication and devotion of our team and supporters who work tirelessly to make a positive impact in our community. We are immensely grateful to the City of Liverpool for this honour and pledge to continue our mission of empowering individuals and transforming lives.

“We were established to be a place of hope, light and unquestioningsupportto people in our communities who needed us most and 178 years later we are still working to make sure that everyone has a home of their own, support from people who understand them and the skills they need for a better future. The people we support are at the heart of everything we do, and we will continue to work with them to build a different future for themselves and their families.”

YMCA Together has a rich history of serving the Liverpool community and is one of the region’s longest standing registered charities, providing vital services and support to individuals and families in need. The team play a pivotal role in addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing our society today.

The award will be presented by the Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Councillor Mary Rasmussen in front of 200 invited guests who have all played a role in the organisation’s history. The ceremony will include speeches from Ellie McNeil and Mike Barker, Chair of YMCA Together, about the role of the organisation in the city.

The organisation currently provides over 450 units of accommodation across the city for people experiencing homelessness, domestic abuse, drug and alcohol issues and poor mental health.  

It also manages Dutch Farm in South Liverpool, which is a space that provides education and training opportunities. All of these services are supported in a psychologically informed way, using a cognitive analytic approach as the framework.

“We see the Freedom of the City of Liverpool not just as an accolade, but as a call to action – a reminder of the trust, respect, and responsibility bestowed upon us by this great city,” added Ellie. 

“It fuels our determination to redouble our efforts in serving those most in need, ensuring that every individual, regardless of circumstance, finds solace, support, and opportunity within our community. This honour strengthens our resolve to remain steadfast in our pursuit of a more inclusive and compassionate society.”

Find out more about YMCA Together click here. For latest news in Liverpool click here.