Who we are
YMCA Northamptonshire believes all young people should have the support and opportunity to belong, contribute and thrive.
YMCA believes in fairness and opportunity. These 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.
YMCA Northamptonshire is an independent charity and affiliate to YMCA England and Wales. We provide supported housing and holistic support dedicated to young people who have experienced care in Northamptonshire.
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YMCA Leadership
YMCA is the oldest and largest charity working with young people in the world. Meet our Senior Leadership Team and Trustees.
Karen Newman
Finance Director YMCA MK and Northamptonshire
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Karen Newman
Finance Director YMCA MK and Northamptonshire
A chartered management accountant with over 20 years’ extensive experience in the commercial and charity sectors. Karen joined in 2024 to provide strategic financial guidance across the organisation and shape the financial strategy to ensure stability and sustainability of the charity.
Fun fact: Loves visiting German Christmas markets!
Simon Green
CEO YMCA MK and Northamptonshire
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Simon Green
CEO YMCA MK and Northamptonshire
With a background in social housing Simon has been with the organisation since 2009 and enjoys seeing people feel proud working for or living at YMCA MK.
Fun fact – Simon is obsessed with football!
Anne Rhind
Deputy CEO YMCA MK and Northamptonshire
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Anne Rhind
Deputy CEO YMCA MK and Northamptonshire
With extensive experience in the charitable sector Anne joined YMCA MK in 2018 to support the capital appeal for the new campus and loves hearing the inspirational stories of our young people.
Fun fact – Anne loves vintage shopping!
Kat Newman
Director of Youth and Community YMCA MK and Northamptonshire
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Kat Newman
Director of Youth and Community YMCA MK and Northamptonshire
Kat has worked in the youth and community sector for the last 13 years. Kat is experienced in delivering co-production projects and prioritises youth voice in all aspects of her work.
Fun fact – Kat loves Diet Coke and KitKats!
Deborah Stuart
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Deborah Stuart
Debbie is a qualified housing professional. Her role as Director of Housing, Health and Wellbeing sees her lead a wide range of customer facing services. She brings to the role of Trustee a range of skills and experience for providing person centred services.
Fun fact – Debbie enjoys cooking and recently attended an Indian cookery course.
Jennifer Walker
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Jennifer Walker
Jennifer Walker has a background in managing development projects in Southern and Eastern Africa. She has over 20 years of experience in securing funds, developing relationships with stakeholders, philanthropic investment funds, grant making and managing the marketing of organisations.
Fun fact – Jenny loves nature and listening to country music (she’s a big Dolly Parton fan)!
Pam Heath
Treasurer of the Board of Trustees YMCA Milton Keynes and Northamptonshire
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Pam Heath
Treasurer of the Board of Trustees YMCA Milton Keynes and Northamptonshire
Coming soon…
Preston Ayres BEM
Trustee
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Preston Ayres BEM
Trustee
Preston was a partner in Grant Thornton and has extensive finance experience. He negotiated the purchase of our original flats and retail units. This valuable asset enabled the recent development of our amazing new campus, which was opened in March 2020.
Fun fact – Preston loves motor sport and in 2000 did the London to Sydney Marathon in a Ford Escort Mk1!
Dr Vasco Fernandes
Trustee
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Dr Vasco Fernandes
Trustee
Vasco is a retired Consultant Physician and has experience in public health, substance misuse and general practice.
Fun fact – Vasco enjoys playing table tennis and Bridge.
Philip Stainsby
Trustee
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Philip Stainsby
Trustee
Philip is a Chartered Surveyor specialising in the management of commercial property.
Fun fact – He is a lover of endurance sports and has swum from Europe to Africa.
Benedicta Morrow
Trustee
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Benedicta Morrow
Trustee
Benedicta began her career in fundraising and alumni relations in 1998. She worked in the USA for 10 years before coming back to the UK to work for UCL and then Cranfield University.
Fun fact – Benedicta loves cats and would like to add to the 3 she already has at home.
Robert Higginbottom
Trustee
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Robert Higginbottom
Trustee
Robert has held senior management positions within the YMCA Federation, and other Federated Supported Housing Charities specialising in Supported Housing Management, Facilities Management and Charity Governance.
Fun fact – Robert has a keen interest in UK Heritage and Conservation.
Jenny Swift
Trustee
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Jenny Swift
Trustee
Jenny is a qualified social worker with significant child protection experience and a passion for trauma informed work. She is actively involved in social work education and development as well as working in the family courts specialising in drugs, alcohol, mental health and trauma.
Dr Anthony Holden
Trustee
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Dr Anthony Holden
Trustee
Tony is by profession a physicist and has an extensive background in youth work with 32 years as leader in the Scout Association including serving as District Commissioner in South Northamptonshire.
Fun fact – Tony plays trumpet and occasionally plays in the Parish Church with his wife Jacinta who is a concert pianist and organist.
YMCA through the years
YMCA is one of the oldest charities supporting young people in the world and continues to expand and grow.
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.
1969
YMCA Northamptonshire opens, supporting young people throughout the county.
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.
1970s
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.
2010
In 2010 significant cuts to council budgets meant YMCA Northamptonshire had to close its services. YMCA MK stepped in to manage the remaining properties and changed its provision to student accommodation.
2024
YMCA Northamptonshire relaunches charitable services, providing supported housing and holistic support for young people leaving care.
Get involved
There are many ways individuals and organisations can support YMCA Northampton and our residents. With your help, we can do even more to help our local young people to belong, contribute and thrive.