Everyone should have a fair chance to discover who they are and what they can become.

YMCA believes in fairness and opportunity.

There are essential building blocks for a full and rewarding life: A safe home; acceptance; guidance; friendship; physical and mental health; academic support; employment skills; and access to real opportunities.

Many young people have never known these things; other people have lost one or more as they grew up, but we all need them. All of us.

At YMCA, we provide these critical foundations for a fresh, strong start for young people and a better quality of life in the community.

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Our vision and values

Read our vision and values.

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YMCA Leadership

YMCA is the oldest and largest charity working with young people in the world. Find out more about the key figures within YMCA England & Wales – the National Council of YMCAs in England and Wales.

Chief Executive
Founder
Trustees
Denise Hatton

Denise Hatton

Chief Executive Officer

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Sir George Williams

Sir George Williams

Our founder

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Roy O’Shaughnessy

Roy O’Shaughnessy

Chair

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Emma Osmundsen

Emma Osmundsen

Vice Chair

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Peter Calderbank

Peter Calderbank

Chairman of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee

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Josh Walker

Josh Walker

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Paul Forrester-Brown

Paul Forrester-Brown

Chief Executive of YMCA Leicestershire

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Chris Stern

Chris Stern

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Dawn Ward CBE

Dawn Ward CBE

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Gillian Sewell

Gillian Sewell

Chief Executive of YMCA Derbyshire

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Hanna Sebright

Hanna Sebright

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Jonathan Rowe

Jonathan Rowe

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Alex Taylor

Alex Taylor

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Ross Hendry

Ross Hendry

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Publications

View our latest publications including our Annual Report and Now’s Our Chance: YMCA General Election Manifesto 2024.

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Supporting YMCAs

In England and Wales there are more than 80 YMCAs, all members of the National Council of YMCAs in England & Wales. While YMCAs work and respond locally to support young people, YMCA England & Wales supports each local charity and acts as a national voice.

We support local YMCAs by promoting high standards of working, sharing best practice, fundraising on their behalf, partnering with them to pilot new projects and providing training opportunities for staff and volunteers.

We give local YMCAs a national voice by speaking with government, key policy makers and national media, and we represent them by advocating for the needs of the most vulnerable young people in England and Wales.

Together, we focus on young people, helping them to play an active and fulfilling role within their communities. We call this our youth-minded community approach. We also provide a wide range of community-based activities and services to help meet local needs wherever we are based.

Each YMCA in England and Wales is an individual, self-governing charity that affiliates to the National Council. Through this affiliation, YMCAs become part of the World Alliance of YMCAs. As part of a worldwide movement, we help more than 58 million people in 119 different countries.

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YMCA during war

Throughout the 20th century’s two world conflicts, YMCA was a significant presence, both on the frontline and at home, offering material, educational and pastoral support. Scores of courageous YMCA volunteers eased the misery and suffering of soldiers with places offering food, drink and a place to rest. Take a look at the resources below to find out more.

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YMCA through the years

On 6 June 1844, 22 year-old draper George Williams joined 11 friends to organise the first Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA), a refuge of Bible study and prayer for young men seeking escape from the hazards of life on the streets of London.

Today, YMCA has grown to serve more than 65 million people in 120 countries regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation or socio-economic background.

YMCA Archive

YMCA Photos

 

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1844

YMCA was founded by Sir George Williams – a worker in the drapery trade in London. Concerned about the welfare of his fellow workers, he started a prayer and bible study group. This soon grew and attracted men from across London.

1844
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1844-1849

YMCA begins to address other concerns of young men working in the cities. Public lectures and education classes are developed. Reading rooms and refreshment areas help young men to adjust to urban life.

1844-1849
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1845

YMCA spreads outside London and branches are set up in Manchester and Leeds.

1845
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1851

Following links made at The Great Exhibition in London, YMCA spreads across the globe and YMCAs are established in the USA and Canada. Seven years after it was established, a YMCA is formed in Boston, USA.

1851
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1855

The idea of creating a global organisation is pioneered by Henry Dunant, who would later go on to found the International Committee of the Red Cross. He convinced YMCA Paris to organise the first YMCA ‘World Conference’.
The conference produces the ‘Paris Basis’ – an agreement about the aims of YMCA. It also sees the launch of an international committee and headquarters, which would become the World Alliance of YMCAs.

1855
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1873

The first YMCA holiday centre is established on the Isle of Wight. Their huge popularity led to another 25 centres being opened. Billy Butlin later adapted the idea by creating purpose-built holiday camps.

1873
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1879

The American YMCA opens its first gym.

1879
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1881

The British YMCA incorporates personal fitness into its programmes and opens its first gym

1881
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1891

The American YMCA invents basketball and goes on to invent volleyball in 1895.

1891
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1894

On the 50th anniversary of YMCA, George Williams receives a knighthood from Queen Victoria.

1894
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1905

The World Alliance of YMCAs celebrates its 50th anniversary. There are now YMCAs in 45 countries with a global membership of over 707,000.
George Williams dies at the age of 83 and is laid to rest in the crypt at St Paul’s Cathedral.

1905
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1908

YMCA was an early influence on Scouting and the first Scout troops meet in the Birkenhead and Nottingham YMCA buildings.

1908
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1912

The first purpose built hostels are opened in Cardiff and London.

1912
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1914-1918 (WWI)

During the First World War, YMCA supports the troops. YMCA huts provide soldiers with food and a place to rest on the frontline or at home in military camps and railway stations.

YMCA embarks on a massive education programme for soldiers, which eventually becomes the Army Education Corps.

The red poppy is introduced by an American YMCA worker and goes on to become a worldwide symbol of remembrance for those lost in the World Wars.

1914-1918 (WWI)
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1916-1921

A YMCA employment department is set up in England to deal with unemployment. It finds jobs for 38,000 ex-servicemen.
1916-1921
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1932

YMCA sets up the ‘British Boys for British Farms’ initiative which benefits 25,000 young people.

1932
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1945

During the Second World War, YMCA introduces mobile canteens, bringing refreshments to the troops. It also supports displaced people, refugees and prisoners of war.

1945
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1959

The British Government publishes the Albermarle report about the need for better leisure facilities for teenagers. This results in many YMCAs beginning youth clubs to promote young people’s personal development.

1959
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1970

YMCA George Williams College is established in London, providing training programmes for professional youth workers. Today, the college is one of the leading trainers in informal education.

1970
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1972

During the 1970s, YMCA increases its emphasis on young people most in need, focusing on homelessness and unemployment.

YMCA Training for Life is launched, in response to high unemployment among young people. This results in the creation of YMCA Training – one of the UK’s leading vocational training organisations. YMCA Training has supported over a million people to date.

1972
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1984

Y Care International, the overseas development agency of YMCA in the UK and Ireland is established. Today it supports projects for vulnerable young people in over 20 countries worldwide.

1984
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2015

YMCAs in Wales affiliate to the National Council.

2015
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Today

YMCA has over 58 million members in 119 countries worldwide. Since it was established, YMCA has adapted to the changing needs of young people.

Today it works with young men and women regardless of race, religion or culture. In every corner of the world, YMCA is helping young people to build a future.

Today
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Community Fitness

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Creating Positive Outcomes

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Supporting You

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Opportunities

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A Safe Place to Talk

Support & Advice

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