YSS enables people who face significant life challenges to feel safe, have the opportunity to thrive and to realise their potential, and we have been doing so for more than thirty years. There are thousands of people in our communities who struggle with life and face what seem to be insurmountable barriers - they are why we exist.

We provide a wide variety of  mainly community focused support for people and are often described as the ‘glue’ between those at risk of social isolation and the wider mainstream society.

We run a diverse range of services working with all ages but our aim is always the same – to help people to break through barriers (real or perceived) and to achieve their potential.

Our work is rooted in the local communities we serve. We have a strong local presence and a national profile for our innovative work. We strive to  ‘punch above our weight’ to ensure our voice, and the voice of our service users,  is heard and to influence and inform service design and policy.

Our Vision

YSS seeks a society where all people feel safe, have the opportunity to thrive and to realise their potential.

Our Mission

YSS enables people who face significant life challenges to feel safe, have the opportunity to thrive and to realise their potential.

YSS Beliefs (which underpin the services we provide)

• People can break through barriers to thrive and realise their potential.
• The best outcomes result from holistic, person centred services combined with a solution focused approach. One size does not fit all.
• To be effective we have to continually develop and work in partnership to improve services and increase the reach and outcomes for those with whom we work to deliver effective and joined up services.
• Organisations should be embedded in the local communities they serve and have an intimate knowledge and understanding of a community's assets and needs.

Our Core Values (how we work, how we behave)

• Dignity and respect for all.
• Flexibility – we continually assess and adapt our practice based on feedback from service users, staff & partners.  We offer quick & effective decision making. Staff and volunteers take on multiple roles, providing greater flexibility and responsiveness to the needs of service users.
• Innovation –  we constantly research and develop new approaches and new ways of working; we actively listen to the views and experiences of our service users.
• Making it happen – honouring our commitments to our funders and our service users; connecting people and building networks.