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.
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.
Denise Hatton
Chief Executive Officer
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Denise Hatton
Chief Executive Officer
Denise Hatton is Chief Executive Officer at YMCA England & Wales – the national council of more than 80 independent YMCAs across the country.
London-born Denise started her career with YMCA in 1983 when, at the age of 23, she began working for a couple of hours on a Sunday afternoon in a housing project in central London, alongside her private sector communications job.
Within months, Denise had become full-time personal assistant to one of the organisation’s Regional Secretaries before eventually finding herself at YMCAs in Croydon, in south London and then, Ealing, in west London, as Operations Director.
Her first CEO position came in 2003 at Dartford YMCA (now called YMCA Thames Gateway), which she held for 10 years, before becoming CEO and National Secretary for YMCA England (now YMCA England & Wales).
During her time as CEO of YMCA Thames Gateway, Denise acted as Chair of the Children’s Trust for Dartford and Gravesham borough councils, Independent Chair of the committee to develop the first local authority youth strategy for Dartford and Gravesham borough councils, and third sector representative on the Kent Children’s Trust Board.
Denise says seeing YMCA transform over the years to remain relevant to local needs and the changing external environment is what has kept her motivated and involved with the organisation for so long.
She said: “I enjoy seeing the change we can make to young people’s lives. I can still remember many of the young people I worked with over the years at YMCA, which is why I am so passionate to be a part of this organisation.
“YMCA also paid for and supported me to go to university to complete studies in HR, Training and Development when I first started working with them. At the time, this was not something a person from my background would have been able to do.
“The most important things we can do as an organisation is to see people – whether they are young people, staff or volunteers – to realise their potential; to strive for quality at all times and to emphasise trust, openness and transparency in everything we do. That is how we work with young people and I believe this should be reflected across all of YMCA.”
Denise lives in Bromley, in Kent, with her husband, engraver, David, and two teenage daughters, Cara and Mia.
Sir George Williams
Our founder
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Sir George Williams
Our founder
Sir George Williams founded YMCA in 1844. He was the seventh of eight children born to a “well to do” farming family from Dulverton, in Somerset, in the south west of England.
Moving to London in 1842 to pursue a career in drapery, he found work making gentlemen’s clothes in St Paul’s Yard, by St Paul’s Cathedral, in the City of London. A man of faith, he also regularly attended a chapel near his workplace.
George was troubled by the things that were deemed as ‘unhealthy’ for the young men to engage with and decided to do something about this. He gathered some of his likeminded friends around him and began to put together a number of activities, which enabled the young people in his area to begin to address their own needs and to build better lives for themselves. The first meeting of this group took place in the shop in which he worked and there is a plaque commemorating this spot in London today.
Soon YMCA grew. It spread out of London a year later and to the USA and Canada in 1851. In 1855, it became truly global as the first YMCA World Conference was organised that produced the ‘Paris Basis’ – an international agreement about the aims of YMCA.
George became Sir George on the 50th anniversary of the founding of YMCA when he was knighted by Queen Victoria. By the time he died in 1905, there were 45 YMCAs running all over the world with an incredible membership of more than 700,000 people. You can see the tomb of Sir George Williams today in St Paul’s Cathedral.
YMCAs all over the globe celebrate our Founder’s Day on 6 June every year as we remember the man who, at the tender age of just 22, created the largest youth charity in the world.
Roy O’Shaughnessy
Chair
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Roy O’Shaughnessy
Chair
Roy was born in England but moved to Central and Southern Africa with his family before his first birthday. During this time, Roy lived in Zambia and Zimbabwe as his dad worked for the copper mines and railways to improve efficiency. At age eighteen, Roy spent almost three years in remote parts of Zimbabwe during the country’s fight for independence, working in a civic capacity for the District Commissioner in Chipenge, close to the border with Mozambique.
Roy attended Sunday School and Church while growing up and committed to the Christian faith during his teenage years. Thanks to The Evangelical Alliance Mission in Zimbabwe, Roy had the opportunity to attend university in America. He pursued his education at Houghton College, a Wesleyan Liberal Arts college in New York State, and later attended Fuller Theological Seminary in California.
While in the United States, Roy worked with several organisations, including the Fuller Institute for Evangelism and Church Growth, the Presbyterian Church of Sunnyvale, and Episcopal Charities. He also served as the Stated Pulpit Supply for the Welsh Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles while attending seminary.
In 2004, Roy returned to the UK and assumed the position of Director of Development at St Christopher’s Fellowship, a children’s services charity. He then held Group CEO roles for Careers Development Group, Shaw Trust, and Capital City College Group. In each position Roy has undertaken, there has been a compelling social mission with a need for commercial acumen and a charitable purpose to achieve success. Throughout his career, he has played a central role in establishing innovative operating models, developing commercially sustainable activities to contribute cash reserves to charitable entities, and improving performance across complex groups.
Roy was integral in launching new ventures in his CEO roles, such as the Shaw Education Trust, 01Founders, and Visionnaires. He also led significant mergers and acquisitions, bringing the Disabled Living Foundation, Ixion and Prospects into the Shaw Trust Group. Roy retired from paid executive roles in March 2023.
Before his retirement, Roy served on several boards, including as the past Chair of Yateley Industries for the Disabled, and European VP for Rehabilitation International. In 2018 Roy led Shaw Trust in hosting the Global Conference for Rehabilitation in Edinburgh. He is a former Governor at Welburn Primary School in North Yorkshire, serves on the Executive Committee of St Michael’s Church in Crambe and chairs the Barton Le Willows Parish Council. In addition, Roy also chairs Bellanno Ltd and Twin Group.
Roy is married and has two children. His son is grown up and lives in the USA while his daughter is still in school and serves as a chorister at York Minster.
Roy’s association with the YMCA started as a teenager in Zimbabwe. It continued whilst living in San Francisco, where he was a member of the YMCA and a founding paying member of the Presidio YMCA. In the UK, several YMCAs were valued sub-contractors to CDG and Shaw Trust, supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged people to find work.
Emma Osmundsen
Vice Chair
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Emma Osmundsen
Vice Chair
Emma Osmundsen is Chair of YMCA Exeter, a local YMCA charity and Housing Association that provides supported accommodation for young people as well as community outreach projects including job clubs, prison projects and youth work.
Emma has more than 20 years of professional consultancy experience in property, construction and development and is a qualified Chartered Building Surveyor.
She is Shadow Director (Development) at Exeter City Council and was elected to the National Council of YMCAs’ Board of Trustees in 2016.
Peter Calderbank
Chairman of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee
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Peter Calderbank
Chairman of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee
Peter is the Chairman of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee at YMCA England & Wales.
He is a qualified chartered accountant and is currently the Chief Executive of Field Lane, a charity providing care, accommodation and support for adults with learning disabilities and vulnerable families. In his early career he undertook a number of commercial finance roles before becoming the Finance Director at BSS, a national charity providing information, support and advice to people through the delivery of high quality information services. In 2002 he was appointed Chief Executive of BSS and then, in 2015, Peter joined Field Lane as Chief Executive.
In addition to his executive experience, he has sat on a number of boards in a non-executive capacity. These have included being Chairman of the London Early Years Foundation, Chairman of The Helplines Association (THA) and being a trustee of the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (ACEVO).
In addition to his role at YMCA England & Wales, he is also currently a non-executive director at Inquilab Housing Association which provides social housing and related services for a wide range of London communities.
Josh Walker
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Josh Walker
Josh is Head of Research and Development at YMCA Crewe, where he has worked since 2016. His work includes strategic development of new projects, fundraising, and understanding the needs of local communities. As part of his role at YMCA Crewe, Josh also develops videos, photographs events, and ensures consistency in branding and graphic design.
In addition to his work at YMCA Crewe, Josh has lectured in Pauline Studies and the Old Testament and spent ten years fronting Christian bands and playing music across the UK. He has an MA in Theology, focusing on the practical application of academic Biblical Studies for personal ethics and mental health recovery. Josh believes that the Christian faith is best expressed when it provides hope for people in their lives, and this belief underpins his work and direction.
Josh lives in Crewe with his wife and enjoys reading, exploring, and a good binge of a TV show.
Paul Forrester-Brown
Chief Executive of YMCA Leicestershire
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Paul Forrester-Brown
Chief Executive of YMCA Leicestershire
Paul is currently the Chief Executive of YMCA Leicestershire with over 40 years of experience in community-based work, specifically with disadvantaged young people/adults.
Previously Paul was the head of youth services in the London Borough of Camden, an area youth officer in Birmingham and part of a specialist team of training and development workers in Coventry. He has a wealth of experience in social housing, education, health, governance, charity and property law.
Paul sits as a director of a Midlands Academy Trust and is a serving magistrate (over 20 years) specialising in youth and domestic violence courts; he was a former member of Leicestershire Police Authority, where he chaired a range of committees including professional standards, stop and search and EDI issues.
Paul currently chairs Leicestershire Police Adult and Youth Scrutiny Panels for out-of-court disposals.
Chris Stern
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Chris Stern
Chris joined the YMCA E&W Board in December 2020. Chris is on the West London YMCA Board and a member of the Risk and Audit Committee for SPG YMCA. Currently Senior Independent Director for StepChange, the largest UK debt charity, and Pension and Investment Trustee at Centrica PLC.
He is a Licensed Lay Minister within the Church of England and acknowledges that his faith provides an important foundation for his desire to help young people and to see individuals reach their full potential. Previously he was Chairman of British Gas Insurance, a large UK insurer, and NED on several boards in the financial service and residential services market.
A qualified accountant, he enjoyed a successful executive career with British Gas and Centrica, undertaking a variety of roles including CEO BG Insurance, and prior to this Divisional Finance Director, for; British Gas Services, Centrica Business Services, and the Automobile Association.
Dawn Ward CBE
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Dawn Ward CBE
Dawn is the former Chief Executive and Principal of Burton and South Derbyshire College. She is a council member of the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce and a Director of Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership.
She has had a successful international career, has extensive experience in senior positions at Board level (both as a member and Chair) across a number of national groups and is a published author. She has received numerous awards for her leading contribution to skills and education.
She served as a member of the expert panel for the Lingfield Review on Professionalism in Further Education and is now Deputy Chair of The Chartered Institution for Further Education, Dawn is a Trustee of YMCA Birmingham and a Trustee of the League of Mercy. She has devoted her life to working with young people, raising aspirations and opportunities for all. She is married with two sons.
Gillian Sewell
Chief Executive of YMCA Derbyshire
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Gillian Sewell
Chief Executive of YMCA Derbyshire
Gillian Sewell is the Chief Executive of YMCA Derbyshire, Described by ‘Communities and Local Government’ as a visionary leader.
Gillian a graduate youth and community worker and business manager has transformed her YMCA by extending its youth empowerment activities, and masterminding the facility, known as The Campus for Learning and Development, a campus recognised as a Centre of National Significance with flagship status by the Department for Communities and Local Government for the combination of supported housing and vocational training tracking the employment opportunities of its local community.
Hanna Sebright
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Hanna Sebright
Hanna graduated from the University of Kent in 1984 after which she joined British Airways where she was fortunate to spend much of the next decade travelling worldwide.
In 1995 she took on the role of Business Development Director at New Hall Hospital, Salisbury subsequently transferring to the Berkshire Independent Hospital, both hospitals being in the Capio Group. This was the beginning of a long association in health care. In 2000 she left to take a new role as a Senior Health Consultant at the Atomic Energy Authority (AEA Technology/ Momenta) working on a number of government health care programmes. She left in 2003 to join the Real Creative Group as Business Development Director where she launched a digital led health care communications programme in hospitals across the UK.
Real Creative Group was subsequently bought out by ScreenFX when Hanna was appointed Managing Director of a new operating division; HealthFX.
In 2006, she led a management buy-out and founded Electronic Health Media (EHM), a health screen messaging system in real time, showcased in NHS hospital and GP surgery waiting areas. Subsequently EHM was bought by Lord Sugar when Hanna became Managing Director of Amscreen Healthcare.
Hanna has been Chief Executive at Midlands Air Ambulance Charity since 2009 leading the Charity through a period of significant change and development. During this time she has held the roles of Vice Chair and Chair of the Association of Air Ambulances, the national representative body of UK Air Ambulance Charities and is currently a Trustee and a founder member of Air Ambulances UK (AAUK).
Charlie Smith
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Charlie Smith
Charlie is the Community Partnership Manager at YMCA Norfolk, where she supports the running of youth projects such as youth clubs and educational programmes.
Charlie has worked for YMCA Norfolk since leaving university, working on various pilot projects that are still running within YMCA Norfolk. Whilst working at YMCA, Charlie has also participated in YMCA England and Wales’ Youth Ambassador Programme. Charlie has built her confidence and skill set around supporting campaigns through this voluntary position. This role has also led Charlie to represent YMCA at events in Switzerland, New York and St Paul’s Cathedral.
Charlie’s passion is to ensure that all young people can have their voices heard.
Living on the east coast by the beach is a perk for Charlie, where she is often found walking the dog with her family. Even sometimes taking a dip in the sea!
Jonathan Rowe
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Jonathan Rowe
Jon was elected to the National Board in December 2019. He has been involved in the work of the YMCA at a local level for over 10 years. He originally joined the board of Wolverhampton YMCA in 2007 and was rather unusually asked to become Chair almost straight away. In 2009 the Boards of Wolverhampton and West Bromwich YMCA’s entered negotiations which culminated in them merging in 2010 and forming Black Country YMCA.
Initially, Jon was appointed joint chair of the new association and for the last 4 years has been sole chair. He stepped down from the board of Black Country YMCA in November 2010 and is looking forward to serving in a national capacity. After a 39 year career in Insurance and Financial Services Jon disposed of his business interests to pursue a new vocation and was one of the founding Pastors of Springs Church (Gornal) a free evangelical church that has a vision of “being a church for those who don’t do church” This was evidenced by the fact that the church was started in a local pub! Over the last few years, it has experienced substantial growth and now has a regular congregation of approx 100 and operates from a community hub in Gornal village centre.
Married to Carol, Jon is a keen golfer and was captain of Enville Golf club in 2015. He also takes an “unhealthy interest” in the fortunes of Wolverhampton Wanderers FC!
Jon’s passion for the YMCA is to see us move forward into our next 175 years based on the firm foundation of our Christian heritage.
Alex Taylor
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Alex Taylor
Alex is a JNC-qualified youth and community worker with a post-grad in Autism; her background is in SEND and participation. She has a passion for voice, equity and co-production.
She is the SEND Participation Officer for Barnsley MBC, working to ensure that children and young people with SEND and their parents and carers have a voice in shaping services, decisions and strategies across the local area. Alex is also a youth worker for the Yorkshire and Humber YouthWork Unit, where she coordinates young people’s voice work across the region.
Alex has been a member of YMCA Barnsley since birth, joining their board in 2014 at the age of 21 and recently elected vice chair.
Alex graduated YMCA England and Wales’ Youth Ambassador program after joining its original cohort in 2016. She is the current chair of the YMCA Europe nominations committee and a YMCA Europe Youth Policy Group member. She has often represented YMCA locally, nationally and globally at places such as the Council of Europe, the European Youth Forum and the United Nations.
Ross Hendry
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Ross Hendry
Ross is chief executive of the Christian Social Policy Charity CARE (Christian Action Research and Education), one of the oldest Christian organisations working with politicians across the UK which runs a pioneering internship programme for young adults interested in politics.
Before leading CARE Ross was the chief executive of the children’s charity Spurgeons which he joined after working with the Children’s Commissioner for England. In both roles he was a passionate advocate for young people’s participation in the development of public policy and the rights of marginalised and vulnerable children. Ross’ earlier career included roles in Action for Children, Unison, London Councils, and a London School of Economics based think tank/ research centre called CASE.
He is also a trustee of the Jubilee Centre in Cambridge (a Christian think-tank), the Family Matters Institute, and on the church council of a large and diverse church in the west end of London. There he leads a programme called the Ergon Fellowship which helps young adults study the theology of work and consider how their faith applies to their profession.
Publications
View our latest publications including our Annual Report and Now’s Our Chance: YMCA General Election Manifesto 2024.
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.
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.
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.
1844-1849
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.
1845
YMCA spreads outside London and branches are set up in Manchester and Leeds.
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.
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.
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.
1879
The American YMCA opens its first gym.
1881
The British YMCA incorporates personal fitness into its programmes and opens its first gym
1891
The American YMCA invents basketball and goes on to invent volleyball in 1895.
1894
On the 50th anniversary of YMCA, George Williams receives a knighthood from Queen Victoria.
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.
1908
YMCA was an early influence on Scouting and the first Scout troops meet in the Birkenhead and Nottingham YMCA buildings.
1912
The first purpose built hostels are opened in Cardiff and London.
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.
1916-1921
1932
YMCA sets up the ‘British Boys for British Farms’ initiative which benefits 25,000 young people.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
2015
YMCAs in Wales affiliate to the National Council.
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.
