YMCA Fairthorne Group

YMCA Fairthorne Group runs services for children, young people, and communities across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Its work brings together childcare, school-break activities, outdoor learning, supported housing, and community spaces. The organization reports serving more than 29,000 children, young people, and families each year through programs spread across several locations.

The group’s nurseries welcome children from four months old through school age. Its network includes six centers in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, each with its own information about location and care options. Families can therefore check the service and center that best fits their needs instead of treating all the nurseries as one site.

During school breaks, Holiday Club offers indoor and outdoor activities for children ages 5 to 11. Fairthorne Manor also runs Day Camps for ages 7 to 16, with themed days and options that include water activities, high ropes, survival challenges, and creative workshops. Dates and availability depend on each school holiday period.

Fairthorne Manor is the group’s main outdoor activity site. Its 95 acres host day visits, school trips, and residential programs. The organization also offers group accommodation and venue rentals for meetings and events. Together, these facilities make the site a base for educational days and adventure activities, alongside regular programs for children and young people.

Outdoor offerings include a seasonal campsite and river access for water activities from April through September. Treetots and Little Conker extend that connection with outdoor sessions for babies, toddlers, and their caregivers. These programs differ in age range and format, so visitors should choose the activity and location that fit their group before booking.

Community work also reaches Andover, Eastleigh, Southampton, Portsmouth, and the Isle of Wight. Depending on the location, YMCA Fairthorne Group operates community spaces, youth activities, family support, and housing services for young people. In Weston, it runs a community library; other centers bring together neighborhood activities and resources. The group presents these programs as part of a wider local network beyond Fairthorne Manor.

One of its annual initiatives is the Young Carers Festival, organized with The Children’s Society for young people who care for family members. The Southampton event brings together about 1,000 young carers for activities, social time, and support. The festival highlights a less visible part of the group’s work: creating space for teenagers and young adults who take on caregiving responsibilities at home.

The group’s contact address is Fairthorne Manor in Curdridge, near Southampton, but its services operate across multiple sites, and each program has its own inquiry process. For families, schools, and organizations comparing options, YMCA Fairthorne Group’s distinguishing feature is the mix of childcare, outdoor experiences, accommodation, and youth support within one regional network, with program-specific information for each activity and location.