YMCA LARKhall
Larkhall has had a YMCA for well over 100 years and this is noted in the History Pages of this website;
"Larkhall YMCA was established in 1897 in the rooms above what is now Semi Chem in Union Street. Early in the 1900s the organization moved to Caledonian Road after buying the land between King Street and the Police Station boundary wall from the Caledonian Railway Company. Shortly after World War One the YMCA sold the building which it had built on this land to two local businessmen, who were also YMCA members, and the YMCA moved into barracks erected on the current site that had been purchased from the Army. The two businessmen then sold the building to the Royal Mail who used it as town’s main post office until the late 1970's. By the 1960s the barracks were in a very poor condition, so the YMCA Board embarked on the fund raising and construction project that produced the modern building, which was completed in 1970."
- Willie Mowbray 2023
Anyone joining the Harriers automatically becomes a member of Larkhall YMCA which is part of the YMCA Scotland Federation.
The main aim of YMCA Scotland is to set up quality programmes that provide an environment in which young people especially can develop physically, socially, mentally and spiritually. Of course as a running club we concentrate mainly on the first three development aims.
However as a part of our remit, it’s important that we should try and play a role in helping our members become/remain good citizens in the widest sense of the concept.
With this in mind, our spiritual emphasis manifests itself in our promotion of the idea that, once you become a member of our Association, you should learn to accept and respect every member as an individual; whether or not they share the same ideas, talents, religion, social or economic background, creed or colour as yourself. In short we will consciously promote the belief that we should tolerate and care for each other at all times.
Through this simple idea we will aim to reinforce continually in members’ minds the fact that although they have primarily joined a local YMCA, it’s one that is part of a worldwide organization whose fundamental aim is youth development in its widest sense.
YMCA SCOTland
VISION 2030
Four Pillars
Below you can find out about the work YMCA Scotland does in relation the 4 pillars outlined in World YMCA’s Vision 2030, in addition to faith and our National Programme. Click on any of the blocks below to be redirected to a page with more information. More about World YMCA’s Vision 2030 and its goals, can be found here. As well as at the foot of this page.
WATCH WORLD YMCA’S VISION 2030 VIDEO
The Four Pillars
Core Belief
The YMCA believes
that every person
should have the
means to grow and
thrive in body, mind
and spirit while
taking care of their
individual and
collective wellbeing.
Core Belief
The YMCA Movement
believes that all young
people deserve the
right to learn, engage
in flexible, dignified
and meaningful work,
and build sustainable
livelihoods.
Core Belief
The YMCA believes that
we should all commit
and take action for the
protection and
regeneration of our
Planet, preparing for a
Just Transition to a
world where humans
live in full harmony
with creation.
