Y.M.C.A. IN BRITAIN

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 149, 21 December 1936, Page 11

V.M.C.A. IN BRITAIN

TRAINING FOR EMPLOYMENT

CITY AND FARM ACTIVITIES

(From "The Post's" Representative.) LONDON, November 28.

The social work of the V.M.C.A. in Great Britain figures as one of the most interesting of its activities today. In co-operation with the Ministry of Labour and the National Council of Social Service it has promoted a comprehensive programme designed to help both men and boys in distressed areas. Camps are provided at seaside resorts during the summer months, a]id great benefit—physical and moral—is derived by those attending. ■Five'hostels for juveniles transferred from the special areas have been opened in London, and three more are contemplated. These hostels are linked with the London associations, and boys from both attend summer camps every year. A scheme has also been evolved for domestic training to fit boys for positions in hotels and clubs, and a more modified training is offered for those anxious to enter the catering trade. The Ministry of Labour has been able to place all the boys so trained in positions in London. V

There is .also a scheme for fitting boys for farm life, and during the past year no fewer than 303 wore recruited, trained, and placed on farms. This training is offered under the "British boys for British farms scheme," and nearly 1000 have already been found jobs in agricultural areas. One boy is to enter this year for the diploma course at Leeds University. Quite a number attain the standard required far the Ministry of Agriculture scholarships. ;Two boys have been *etit to South Africa under the Manif»ld Farm scheme, and more are to follow.

Incidentally, those who remember the V.M.C.A. huts during the Great War will be interested to learn that the V.M.C.A. officials travelled with the British Force to Palestine recently, and later established excellent centres at Jerusalem and Haifa. . The V.M.C.A. also organised a Jerusalem Football League, and systematic visits to places of interest in the Holy City. Territorial camps in England all have <ftrtftr^T.M.C.A.,huts, which were doubly appreciated this year qn_ account of 3thec.wr.etched33K^tfaeii. o > '""*