Andy Drake: YMCA

At our meeting on 10 April we welcomed Andy Drake, CEO of YMCA Essex. Andy said he had been CEO for the past 10 years. His origins are Sydney. His parents had moved to Australia in the sixties on the “Ten Pound Poms” assisted passage scheme. He came to England in the 1980s and joined YMCA in 1989.

Founded in 1844 in London by George Williams, a tailor, the YMCA aimed to support and help fellow workers on low pay and working long hours. By 1855 it had become a national organisation enabling young men to develop their full potential in mind, body and spirit. Today it is the largest and oldest organisation for young people. It is believed the YMCA started in Chelmsford in 1877 in rooms above the High Street and moved to its current location in Victoria Road in 1927. A YMCA housing project opened in Colchester in 1999 and in 2016 Chelmsford and Colchester merged to become YMCA Essex.

Currently there are 150 paid staff and some volunteers. The YMCA encourages young people to make better decisions through its support in youth clubs, out of school clubs, nursery facilities, housing assistance, etc. Andy went on to tell us about the concept of “Found Family&rdqup;, best described as the strong bonds and sense of community that some young people develop within YMCA programmes. It can particularly apply where young people are struggling with homelessness or biological family issues. The YMCA provides a range of support services including life skills training, help with education and employment, emotional support and various sporting and social activities. Andy is clearly passionate about his role and likened some of the YMCA experiences to the Rotary “Service Above Self” philosophy.