To the YMCA HQ at Farringdon – and Boycott Workfare’s protest today about the Y’s unchristian championing of workfare. No sign anywhere of YMCA management, alas. There was hurried mention by staff of a management away day – an all-day away day, by extraordinary coincidence. I had my doubts about that, I must say. The place was eerily quiet and nobody staffside was eager to talk, or to poke around in the CEO’s diary for meeting dates. You got the feeling the whole management team was hiding nearby in a cupboard. The few staff members who were there were keen for protestors to leave…

I can only presume the shame of the thing got the better of those on senior grades. As Boycott Workfare says:

“The YMCA wants to have its cake and eat it. Their president, Bishop John Sentamu, has spoken against workfare. Yet, the organisation still takes part in some of the harshest schemes.  They’re also involved in delivering traineeships – workfare by another name.

We say volunteering should remain just that, and that people shouldn’t be “made to volunteer” under threat of sanction.

The fight against workfare is more important than ever, with 74,000 people being sanctioned every month. Sanctions are one of the main reasons people are turning to food banks to feed themselves, and you can now be sanctioned for up to three years. This is forcing people to make the choice between heating their homes or eating.”

Indeed. Not a lot of God going on at the Y.

More on the Boycott Workfare week of action here – the week runs until April 6.