Provider Info
YCA EPIC (Engage, Play, Inspire, Challenge)
YCA’s EPIC Holiday Club is a fun, safe, and inclusive HAF programme for children and young people aged 5–16 (primary and secondary). Designed by young people, for young people, our programme offers a balanced mix of sports, creative activities, outdoor adventures, healthy cooking, nutrition education, free play and enrichment trips. Children can enjoy football, multi-sports, arts, science, gardening, team games and wellbeing activities while building confidence, resilience, friendships, and healthy habits.
We provide Universal SEND Inclusive (Non-Complex Needs) support for children with additional needs in an inclusive setting. Limited 1:1 support may be available for one child at a time, subject to staffing capacity. Our centre is fully wheelchair accessible, with sensory considerations where possible; however, we do not have changing facilities and parents/carers do not remain onsite during activities.
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About Us
The Yemeni Community Association in Sandwell (YCA) is a long-established charity supporting children, young people and families across Sandwell. We are proud recipients of The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (2019) — the highest national honour awarded to volunteer-led organisations. While we have deep roots in the Yemeni and Arabic-speaking communities, our services are open and welcoming to all children and families.
From 1997, we have consistently provided a youth programme which offers a range of formal and informal sessions concentrating on physical, social, educational and psychological development of young people. Consequently, empowering young people to take control of their lives and make informed choices regarding their future and careers.
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What makes YCA Holiday Camp unique?
Our programmes are designed in consultation with young people, taking into consideration their specific needs and interests. As a result, our programmes are packed with activities that are fun, enjoyable, educational, challenging and enriching.
Another unique feature is that we offer an open, accessible and culturally sensitive holiday programme that incorporates male and female only activity days. We are one of a very few organisations locally that offer gender specific activities. This ensures that young girls from different BAME groups have the opportunity to access play opportunities that meets their cultural and religious requirements, consequently bringing communities together and setting an example of good practice.
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What benefits can you expect from this?
The Yemeni Community Association (YCA) is a community-based organisation that seeks to represent and meet the particular needs of Yemeni and other Arabic speaking communities in Sandwell, as well as extending its services and activities to other disadvantaged communities within the area. The organisation has grown rapidly over the last decade to be one of the most respected voluntary organisations in Sandwell. In 2019 the organisation was awarded with The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Organisations.
Our programmes are unique and well attended as they are designed in consultation with young people, taking into consideration their specific needs and interests. As a result, our programmes are packed with activities that are fun, enjoyable, educational, challenging and enriching. Our programme offer a holistic approach to development which provide numerous benefits such as:
- Enhanced fitness, cardiovascular health and coordination.
- Improved fundamental skills like running, jumping and balancing.
- Increased social interaction as our activities encourage teamwork and communication.
- Improved mood, self-esteem and overall emotional well-being.
- Better awareness and understanding of nutrition and healthy eating habits.
- Exposure to new fun and exciting experiences, cultures and environments.
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What makes this activity inclusive?
The YCA firmly believes in equality of opportunity and it is committed to developing policies, practices and procedures that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practices. To implement inclusive practices, we employ several strategies such as:
- Ensuring individuals receive equal treatment.
- The YCA will endeavour to meet the individual requirements of young people that register on to our programme in the most appropriate way possible in order for them to achieve their full potential, free from prejudice.
- Our holiday programme will be flexible and adaptable, considering the varying interests and abilities of participants.
- Our centre is physically accessible to ensure ease of access for all.
- All of our staff undergo training to promote inclusivity and diversity awareness.
- We actively seek feedback from participants and parents, valuing their insights on how we can enhance our inclusive practices. This iterative process allows us to continually improve our program’s inclusivity.
The YCA strives to be an inclusive organisation that provides a responsive and accessible service. Our aim is always to build resilience and capacity in young people to give them the skills and support to develop into confident individuals. Please call the provider for additional information regarding the activities.
What They Say About Us
“The programme was amazing. My daughter enjoyed every bit of the programme and hasn’t stopped talking about it. She made new friends and now has a passion for the outdoors. We saved a lot of money and the information given to us has been helpful. Thank you again for your wonderful service.”
“My child loved the programme, meeting old friends and making new ones. The activities were great and she enjoyed going out on trips and they were challenging which boosted her confidence in herself. We would not have been able to provide this many activities for her at home, so she has experienced new things such as the tree top adventures. Staff were excellent and she felt comfortable with them. Thank you for all your hard work and commitment.”
“Firstly, I would like to say the staff at the Yemeni Community are extremely lovely and very approachable. I was struggling to keep my daughter entertained so I was very happy to have been told about this programme. My daughter absolutely loved the time she had there and wished it went on longer. I was amazed at how many activities were planned at such short notice. The part I loved was that they took into consideration what the children wanted to do. This isn’t your average kick a ball and chase each other around club. They cater to the correct age group and plan activities accordingly. Thank you so much.”
“My kids loved it. They got to do a really excellent variety of activities such as engineering i.e. making battery car toys, cooking chicken fajitas, play multisport, & enjoyed trips out to cinema & inflatable theme park. Staff are friendly & helpful.”
“One more week would have been fantastic for the children as they loved it so much.”
~ Please use your Evoucher code to book.
~ Please arrive 15 minutes before the start time.
~ Participants must be dressed adequately and wear trainers.
~ We strongly advise that participants wear a coat with a hood for activities that are offsite or outdoors.
~ All participants will receive a bottle of water, however we strongly advise that they bring an additional drink or
a refillable water bottle to stay hydrated.