YMCA Wellington and District has been part of the local community since 1859.
We are an independent charity supporting young people, particularly during times of hardship and need, and we are proud to be part of the wider national and international YMCA movement.
Our work is rooted in the belief that every young person should have access to safety, support and opportunity. We support people regardless of gender, race, ability or faith, helping them build stability, confidence and independence when they need it most.
Our history in Wellington
From 1920 until the early 1990s, YMCA Wellington and District was based at Wrekin Buildings on Tan Bank in the centre of Wellington. During that time, we provided a wide range of leisure and social facilities for local people.
The building remains a well-known local landmark and still carries the YMCA name, even though our work moved from there in the 1990s.
Responding to local need
As the needs of the community changed, so did our work. In the 1990s, there was a growing need for housing and support for young people experiencing homelessness. YMCA Wellington and District moved to Consort House on Victoria Avenue to begin meeting that need.
Since then, supported housing for young people has become our main activity. What began with 12 units at Consort House has grown into a much wider offer, now providing 40 units across our accommodation, including flats next to our original home on Tan Bank and rooms at Flora Dugdale House.
Creating homes for the future
In 2024, we opened our latest development at the former Wellington Girls' High School and New College building on King Street. The project created 28 affordable one-bedroom apartments for people ready to move on from supported or temporary housing in the area.
The development protects and preserves many of the original features of this listed building, while creating homes that are fit for modern living. It reflects our continued commitment to providing safe, suitable housing and helping people take the next step towards independence.
