Central Herts YMCA

Meet the Central Herts YMCA Staff and Trustees

 

Robin Webb - Chief Executive

Robin worked in Corporate Finance at Barclays for 15 years before spending 6 years setting up and building Barclays Community Investment teams through 10 offices around the UK, developing charitable projects and encouraging Barclays employees to get involved in volunteering. He took a year out in 2006 – travelling western Canada with his family before returning to the UK to look for a job in the charity sector. His was appointed Chief Executive of YMCA Central Herts in June 2007. As well as finance and management skills Robin brings experience of the YMCA having spent 9 years as a Director and Trustee at London City YMCA.

Board of Trustees

Paul Kerridge

Paul is currently The SHE Director for Morrison Utility Services, having previously worked for Balfour Beatty Metro as Head of Safety, Health, Environmental and Quality. Prior to this Paul worked for AMEC as a SHEQ Manager involved in Roads and Structures. Paul has had a varied career including spending 24 years as a Royal Engineer.

Catharine Hopper

I am currently the Chief Executive Officer of a charitable trust providing a range of services to adults and children with learning disabilities. Twenty three years working in this field has given me a vast range of skills, knowledge and experience and the ability to use these in order to support the development of safe and effective services.

David Irving

Until recently: Director of Environment at Welwyn Hatfield Council. Chairman of the Area Regeneration Partnership and Chairman of the Community Safety Partnership. Has recently taken early retirement from Welwyn Hatfield District Council.

Bertie Everard

Former ICI Education and Training Manager. Latterly education management consultant and author. Chair of a consortium of outdoor learning providers. URC elder.

Philip Hollowday

Currently 30 years experience in HR covering all aspects of employee and industrial relations and change management. Working for local manufacturing business.

Rev. Graham Clarke BA Chartered MCIPD

Graham was born in Nottingham and holds a BA (Hons) Degree in Applied Social Science (Lanchester Polytechnic); A Diploma in Training Management (Portsmouth University) An Advanced Diploma in Biblical and Theological Studies (University of Oxford) and A Diploma in Pastoral Studies( Regents Park College Oxford). He is also a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development

He has been Minister of Marshalswick Baptist Free Church St Albans since November 2003, having previously been Student Minister at Eastleigh Baptist Church in Hampshire from September 2000.

Graham joined the YMCA in 1977 and worked as a staff member in various local and National Posts until 2000. In addition, Graham has had a range of international involvement and after leaving the YMCA staff Graham has continued to be involved in local YMCAs.

Tara Philbert - Trustee

I qualified as a Social Worker in 1996. Since qualifying I have worked mainly with Asylum Seekers and Children Leaving Care (16+). In both these settings I have worked closely with the YMCA in providing accommodation for both these groups. More recently as a parent I have accessed the YMCA for child care.

Catering

Dan Hegarty (Chef)

My role consists of preparing excellent food of the highest standard for the children and residents. Previous to working at the YMCA I was a grill chef working for the Beefeater.

I enjoy providing a friendly atmosphere when cooking and serving food for our clients.

Housekeeping

Gloria Pirie (Housekeeping Support Worker)

I am responsible for cleaning the hostel, which includes residents rooms and the communal areas and supporting the residents and before working for the YMCA I was the caretaker at Angus Council.

What I enjoy about my job is the different people I get to meet.

Liz Shields (Housekeeping Support Worker)

I am responsible for cleaning residents rooms and the areas in Hostel 2 and before working for the YMCA I was a housewife. I also help supporting the residents.

What I enjoy about my job is the friendliness and variety of different people I get to meet.

Marie Falvey (Housekeeping Support Worker)

I am responsible for cleaning the hostel and supporting the residents and before working for the YMCA I was a packer.

What I enjoy about my job is the different people I get to meet.

Housing

Alison Johnson – Housing Administrator

My main task is to control and administer all paperwork relating to Residents’ Housing Benefit claims. I am responsible for the up keep of all residents’ files current and past by making sure they have all relevant paperwork filed in them.

I am also responsible for collating information and producing performance reports for the Deputy Chief Executive (Housing) and Trustees. I am also responsible for administrating the Nomination Forms that we receive from the Housing Needs Department at Welwyn Hatfield District Council.

I worked as a Secretary at Welwyn Saab from leaving sixth form for 5 years, then I worked as a Secretary for the Medical Sales Team at Telectronics (made pacemakers) for a year. Unfortunately I was made redundant as the company was downsized.

I joined Central Herts YMCA in November 1995 and am now in my tenth year. When I joined the YMCA it was only a very small team in the office, 4 in all; me, the receptionist, the Chief Executive and his Assistant and so in those early days I did a lot more varied work.

The best part of my job is knowing that everyday I am helping someone no matter how small or great.

John Harper (Operations Manager)

I line manage Housekeeping, Maintenance Catering and am joint Licensee of the Bar Social Club. I am responsible for the efficient running of these departments liaising with the department managers ensuring we are within agreed budgets that we maintain and make improvements where possible to improve the standards of service available to the residents, their guests and visitors. Myself and all the housing team work closely with support staff to maintain links when there are issues with residents which may affect their stay here.

I have also had some involvement and success over the last two years with helping raise funding for some of the work we do here, helping raise awareness in the area with other agencies and the local business community.

Before joining the YMCA I had been involved in the motor / engineering / chemical trades generally in a sales position.

My wife and I owned our own catering business for just over 7 years before selling it as a going concern. I had always wanted to work with young people but when applying for a new position did not have the qualifications they were looking for. My work in operations is a real mix of all my previous jobs!

I enjoy the variety of each day, helping people where possible, and working with a great team. We are all different but compliment each others skills and abilities.

Tim Fox, Deputy Chief Executive / Housing Manager:

I am responsible for 115 residents and a housing and support team of 40 plus. It is my job to see that our highly professional team work effectively for our residents, assisting them where needed into permanent employment and independent living.

I have lived in Welwyn, with my wife and three children, for three years, prior to Welwyn and Hatfield YMCA , I worked for Romford YMCA in the Housing Department My background is in retail in London, as area manager for four Oxford Street stores. I was an under-achiever at school, subsequently assessed as dyslexic, but have since gained a distinction in countryside related subjects during a one year self-funded sabbatical.

Housing Support Team

Jo Franks (Support Worker)

I oversee the training kitchen and cooking lessons for residents and the renting out of the room to other users. I also manage the bike loan scheme and oversee the maintenance of them. I also help out with the IT Suite and use my counselling training with residents.

I come from a teaching background both teaching English as a foreign language and Geography, History and RE in various secondary schools, including some time in a special school.

Having the space and time to help residents work through their problems and putting my counselling skills into practice.

Julia Easton (Resettlement Worker)

I work to provide support to clients at the YMCA, overseeing the management of Hostel 2, with provide advice and support on resettlement. I work with local council and housing associations in providing move on accommodation. I also manage nomination schemes, ensuring clients are moved on successfully and provide on going resettlement support to clients as is needed.

I really enjoy various aspects of client programme, including Personal Development Programme, other areas relating to life skills.

Previous to coming to Central Herts YMCA I worked with Romford YMCA for 7 years as the Resettlement Worker.

It is good to see people realising their full potential and find meaning/purpose for themselves. It’s a great thing!

Nursery

Helen Kevis, Nursery Manager:

I started at Central Herts YMCA as a volunteer in 1993, joining the staff a year later and have worked with all age groups, becoming nursery manager in 2002. There have been opportunities to train along the way and I hold qualifications from the National Association for Maternal and Child Welfare and an Advanced Diploma in Childcare and Education.

In 2003 I was one of the small team of staff and residents to travel to an international YMCA event in Italy and in 2004 I attended and international YMCA conference in Prague.

Joanne Smith (Nursery Assistant)

I am currently working in the Toddler room with a great team! I have my own key group and I am responsible for diaries and progress charts. I am also responsible for the welfare of the children and passing information to their parents. I joined the YMCA in 1998 straight from college after completing a NVQ Level 2 in childcare and a year NNEB course.

I enjoy coming to work as the children are really happy to be here and the staff are fun to work with. I like interacting with the children as it gives me pleasure to see them happy and stimulated.

Laura D'Mello (Nursery Nurse)

My role includes looking after the children and orgaising activities for them and make sure they feel safe, secure and happy to be at nursery.

The thing I enjoy the most about my job is being with the children!

Lisa Nash (Nursery Nurse)

My role is to keep the children stimulated, happy and active. My responsibilities are to make sure the children are safe and well looked after.

Before joining the YMCA I gained experience at another nursery and I have now been at the YMCA for 7 years.

I enjoy doing activities with the children such as painting, messy play, cooking and ring games.

Sally Davis (Team Leader)

My responsibilities are to maintain the children’s safety and provide stimulating activities. I enjoy being with the children.

Previous to working for the YMCA I worked in a private day nursery.

Playwork

Pauline Jolley (Deputy Play Leader)

My working day consists of supporting the play leader and deputising in her absence, looking after the children and doing activities with them.

Before working for the YMCA I was doing voluntary work with the cubs.

I enjoy doing activities with children and working with my colleagues.

Ruth Smith (Play Leader)

My role requires me to supervise children and the staff and general running of club, also doing some administration work, for example preparing the bills, keeping up to date records and liaising with parents, managers and staff.

I enjoy working directly with the children and talking with the parents.

Sam Crawford (Playworker)

My responsibilities are to plan activities and work with my team to care for the children. I like the opportunity to use my initiative and the flexibility I can offer to my job. Previously I was a Playwork Supervisor and from returning maternity leave I became a playworker.

I enjoy working with the children to ensure they are happy and having fun.