Families from across Newark and Sherwood are being invited to celebrate the fourth birthday of the YMCA Community & Activity Village this weekend, as the charity marks four years of supporting children, young people and families across the district.

The Village’s 4th Birthday Celebration takes place on Saturday 18 July, with organisers promising a day packed with sports, creative activities and family entertainment while showcasing the work the charity carries out throughout the year.

Since opening in 2021, the YMCA Community & Activity Village has grown into one of Newark’s busiest community venues, welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. As a not-for-profit organisation, all income generated by the Village is reinvested into programmes that help local children and young people build confidence, develop new skills and feel a sense of belonging.

The event will also shine a spotlight on initiatives including Youth Membership, Y-Kids, ChangeMakers and Camp Williams, as well as the YMCA Scholarship Programme, which helps ensure financial circumstances are not a barrier to accessing activities, childcare and youth services.

Visitors will have the opportunity to try a wide range of activities including football, basketball, biking, skateboarding, climbing, engineering challenges, baking sessions and creative workshops, alongside inflatables, family games, a village trail and dedicated toddler activities. Coached sessions will run throughout the day, led by YMCA youth leaders and coaches, while local organisations will also be represented in a community zone.

The celebration runs from 9am until 3pm at the YMCA Community & Activity Village in Newark. Admission costs £10 for children aged 2 to 17, while adults and Villager Members can attend free, with refreshments available from the Village café and barbecue throughout the day.

For many families, it will be a chance to enjoy a day out together. For the YMCA, it’s an opportunity to celebrate four years of serving the community and demonstrate how every visit helps support the work it carries out across Newark and Sherwood.