All about the YMCA - 10th November 2020

MORPETH ROTARY, THE YMCA AND ALL IT OFFERS

Dean Titterton Chief Executive of North Tyneside YMCA gave a presentation to a Morpeth Rotary Zoom meeting to get a conversation going about what they do. The Young Men’s Christian Association known as the YMCA was a Christian foundation but it is not just for Christians, not just for men, and not just for young people. Even so they will keep the name as it is a known and trusted brand that has been around for 200 years. The YMCA in North Tyneside was founded 141 years ago in 1879 as the Borough of Tynemouth YMCA. Today they work in Northumberland, Newcastle and County Durham. Each YMCA is self governing but is affiliated to a national body based in London, with 112 in England and Wales. It is a federated movement with the same structure as Age UK. North Tyneside YMCA has its own Trustees and Board of Directors. Any money they raise goes to their own front line not to London. Its four core values are that it wants people to hope, belong, contribute and thrive. The original YMCA began in Central London in 1844, founded by George Williams aged 22, a very middle class draper from Somerset. Like many others, he went to find his fortune in London. He did well but found it very lonely. He set about getting together with other young people, to take part in bible study and prayer, then went on to address some of the other concerns of young men who were alone and working in the city. YMCA now has 30 million active members in 120 countries. It mainly supports children and young people up to the age of 25 to be healthy, happy and connected. Nationally it is a community organisation with young people at its heart. The YMCA in North Shields is a cradle to grave building. The oldest gym member is 89. It is for men and women and for people of all faiths or none at all. Its cause is connecting people and helping them to be healthy and happy, with a belief that everyone has potential. The latest logo of the YMCA was developed three years ago based on its well known triangle. It is made up of many small triangles with the three sides representing body, mind and spirit. It was the YMCA in the US that invented basketball, volleyball and racquetball. They were the first to introduce boxing gloves and shin-pads. Father’s Day was started by the YMCA. The Red Cross was started by Swiss businessman Henry Dunant who helped to create YMCA as a global organisation by arranging the first YMCA world conference. Most famous is the song ‘YMCA’ by the Village People but YMCA believes it is more than just a song. It helps the homeless and down and outs with a supported housing organisation. YMCA is the biggest provider of bed-spaces in the country with 44,000 every night for the young and the vulnerable. It covers health and well-being, mainly through gyms, families and communities including youth work and a day nursery, housing need and training and education. All money is self generated and much has been lost due to Covid-19 but of every pound raised 94p goes to front line services. They rely on goodwill and donations. There was a YMCA in Morpeth until two or three years ago. Perhaps it could restart? The vote of thanks was by Morpeth Rotary member Arif Shahab who became a Trustee a few months ago and was then elected as Chairman. He had not realised the amount of community work that was done by the YMCA.