On the 23rd and 24th October two Labour MPs referred to the work of their local YMCA.

The first discussion was called “Rough Sleeping — [Sir Christopher Chope in the Chair]” and Tom Hayes, the Labour MP for Bournemouth East spoke about Bournemouth YMCA.

The second discussion, called “Black History Month”, with Jacob Collier, the Labour MP for Burton and Uttoxeter contributing. He referred to the Burton YMCA during his speech.  

Below are the comments from the MPs and the text of the discussions: Rough Sleeping — [Sir Christopher Chope in the Chair]

Tom Hayes: I want to commend those leading and working in our services, because they are the most amazing, caring, understanding, dedicated people. We have heard from some of those people who are now in Parliament. In my constituency of Bournemouth East, I want to commend Bournemouth Churches Housing Association; St Paul’s Hostel, which is run by BCHA; HealthBus; YMCA Bournemouth; Healthwatch Dorset, which has just produced a fantastic report on homelessness and health; Homewards, represented by the Prince of Wales; WithYou; We Are Humans; the citizens advice bureaux across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole; and Shelter.

And that one was: Black History Month

Jacob Collier: As this Government put service back at the heart of public life, there are so many of my constituents who go out of their way to help others, volunteering in food banks and youth clubs and running community activities. I have been humbled to visit some of these groups, from the BAC O’Connor Centre to the Sexual Abuse Rape Advice Centre, Burton YMCA, Burton HOPE, Uttoxeter Heath Community Centre and The Community Church, and I look forward to visiting many more during my time in this House.