YMCA Milton Keynes among finalists for £10,000 community prize
YMCA Milton Keynes is in the finals for a national community heroes award offering a £10,000 prize to support disadvantaged young people.
The YMCA has been named one of 10 finalists in the nationwide Selco Community Heroes campaign. It is competing for a £10,000 prize to support young people facing homelessness and mental health challenges.
The charity was founded in 1981, with the aim of providing supported housing for young people. It has since helped more than 10,000 people build stable, independent lives.
Trusts and Foundations Manager at YMCA Milton Keynes, Ellie Walsh, said: "We give young people a safe place to call home and the support they need to move forward in their lives. If we win the prize money, our community will be able to depend on us to provide more safe homes for young people in Milton Keynes.”
The charity has already won £1,000 in the regional round of the campaign, which has been put towards much-needed building materials. These will be used to create ten new bedrooms on campus, along with a new residents lounge where young people can come together and access support.
The Selco Community Heroes campaign celebrates incredible work carried out by organisations across the country. Its total prize fund is £57,500 this year, nearly five times that of previous years.
Ellie added: “When young people come to live with us, we don’t just give them a safe place to call home, we give them the tools and confidence they need to live independently, from managing their mental health challenges to learning how to pay their bills. The funding will enable us to continue this important work for young people.”
YMCA Milton Keynes will now go forward as one of 10 grand finalists competing for the top prizes of £10,000, £5,000 and £2,500, which will be determined by a public vote.
Head of Multi Channel Marketing at Selco Builders Warehouse, Simon Humpage, said: "The team at YMCA Milton Keynes should be so proud of the amazing work they do to support young people in the community. We wish them all the best in the competition.”
Public voting for a favourite community hero is open until December 14, with the winner being announced in January 2026. Votes can be made through the Selco Community Heroes campaign page.