New YMCA chief pledges to put young people’s needs on the agenda

The incoming chief executive of YMCA Derbyshire has promised to continue to put the charity at the heart of civic life and represent the needs of young people when he steps into the role later this year.

Matt Jones, who is the group chief executive of YMCA Thames Gateway Group, will take over the reins in November when the charity’s current chief executive, Gillian Sewell, steps down.

Matt is bringing more than 30 years of senior leadership experience to Derbyshire from his previous work with the YMCA and other organisations across the charity, housing, health and social care sectors.

He has led YMCA Thames Gateway Group for the past two years, overseeing its operations across a number of London boroughs, including Barking and Dagenham, Havering and Greenwich, as well as across Essex and Kent, where it delivers housing, community, health and children’s services.

Matt is joining YMCA Derbyshire with the charity on a high, having just opened its flagship housing scheme, Foundry Point, which is a collection of 60 furnished, self-contained one-bed apartments in Cotton Lane for young people aged 18 to 30 in work or training.

The development is part of the charity’s wider ‘Aspirational Housing’ strategy, which aims to support young people on their journey from supported accommodation to independent living.

Foundry Point is just one part of YMCA Derbyshire’s provision, which also includes supported housing, education, childcare, poverty relief and wellbeing, which are delivered across several sites in Derby and Ilkeston.

Matt said: “The YMCA is a very well-established charity but, although its mission hasn’t changed in all the years it’s been active, the way it fulfils that mission has, because of the many challenges young people face these days.

“YMCA Derbyshire is a role model for the rest of the federation because it has grown its provision to meet young people’s more complex needs, well beyond putting a roof over their heads.

“That’s down to what Gillian and her team have built over the years in Derbyshire, and I’m very excited about taking over and continuing that work.”

Another aspect of the role that Matt is looking forward to is playing an active role in public life and ensuring that the needs of young people and their challenges are recognised on a regional and national level.

He added: “Another hallmark of Gillian’s time in Derby, and why her shoes will be hard to fill, is the way in which she has ensured that the YMCA has a high profile in the city and the wider region.

“While my role is to run the organisation, I also want to use my time to ensure the YMCA is there to see that young people are included in whatever political and policy changes greater devolution and Westminster bring us.

“I’m looking forward to that aspect of the work, as well as getting to know the community.

“Although I’m not from Derbyshire, I do have connections in the area, and I’ve already seen how the charity has developed strong partnerships across the city.”

Julian Smith, chair of the board of YMCA Derbyshire, said: “Under Gillian’s leadership, YMCA Derbyshire has grown in both reach and impact, becoming one of the most respected YMCAs in the country, and we believe Matt is the right leader to build on her outstanding legacy.”