About Us
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 MK is an independent charity and affiliate to YMCA England and Wales. We opened our doors in 1981 and have supported more than 10,000 people aged 18-35 through emergency accommodation and supported housing. We provide supported housing dedicated to young adults in Milton Keynes. In 2020, we moved into our new state-of-the-art campus. It provides a home for up to 242 young adults across three stages of accommodation. Our social enterprises – such as our café, HomeGround – offer work experience, training and employment opportunities for our residents and a revenue stream for us.
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Our vision is that every young person in MK has the means and confidence to belong, contribute and thrive. Our mission is to provide young people in MK with a safe place to call home, people they can trust and support to fulfil their potential.
YMCA MK Leadership
Sophie Neal
Milton Keynes Food and Lifestyle Blogger
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Sophie Neal
Milton Keynes Food and Lifestyle Blogger
I am so proud to be an Ambassador for YMCA MK and use my platforms to raise awareness of the work they do. Young people are the future. If we don’t support the most vulnerable young people, what does the future hold for the City of Milton Keynes?
For me, supporting the YMCA is about protecting the future of our young people and our community.
Ronnie Kimbell
Fundraising Consultant and Mentor
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Ronnie Kimbell
Fundraising Consultant and Mentor
I always come away feeling uplifted from the YMCA. It is a real pleasure to volunteer for them, they are such a dedicated team doing very important work in the community!
Ryan Peters
CEO Brioche Pasquier
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Ryan Peters
CEO Brioche Pasquier
YMCA MK plays a significant role in the local community by providing various programs and services aimed at improving the lives of individuals. Typically focusing on youth development, empowerment and social responsibility, something I feel is important as we shape the future generations.
It is a privilege to be able to give a little back, supporting the amazingly dedicated team at YMCA MK to help change lives.
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!
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!
Jennifer Walker
Chair
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Jennifer Walker
Chair
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)!
Deborah Stuart
Trustee
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Deborah Stuart
Trustee
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
Fun fact –
Get involved
It’s fun to support the YMCA. We are so pleased you would like to get involved.