Welcome to Hirwaun YMCA
At Hirwaun YMCA we’re passionate about supporting people in our community to build healthy, happy, fulfilled and purposeful futures.
We focus on providing people a safe, supportive environment where we can help fulfil their potential, so that they can belong, contribute and thrive.
The scope of our work has changed considerably over the years, however, supporting our community -especially young people, remains firmly at the centre of what we do.
ABOUT US
Hirwaun YMCA Youth and Community Centre was established in 1943 to provide social, physical and educational opportunities to residents of Hirwaun and the surrounding area. With its headquarters located in the upper Cynon Valley village of Hirwaun, the organisation became a registered charity in 1967 and has been recognised as a model of good practice for local community action. In 2018 the charity changed it’s legal status to a limited company with charitable status
The YMCA operates across the Cynon Valley which has been identified as hosting some of the most deprived communities across Wales. These communities have subsequently been included within the designated Welsh Government’s Anti-Poverty Programmes. The YMCA have been central to the delivery of some of these programmes, more recently through the C4W Plus Programme where Hirwaun YMCA has delivered employability and youth projects on a SLA basis contributing to the local authorities’ strategic approach across the county.
Past and current governments have recognised the valid contribution that Voluntary Sector / local groups make within their communities in providing facilities and social activities that help in building resilient communities.
The model of delivery and financing these services implemented by Hirwaun YMCA have been based on partnership working with services developed and expanded as and when needs are identified, and associated revenue costs can be sourced. This approach has seen a wide range of funding streams complimenting each other with a common purpose to improve the lives of residents.
To reflect community need the board of trustees has reviewed the organisational policies, delivery and governance. This raised some challenging questions.
OUR HISTORY
THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF YOUNG MEN’S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATIONS)
“An Indenture of Conveyance dated 11th April, 1940 between Mr. W.G. Jones of the one part and the National Council of the other part regarding a piece of land at Manchester Place Hirwaun. Whereas The National Council have erected buildings on the said piece of land for the purposes of their work as hereinafter stated.
“The premises shall be occupied and used under the Body hereafter appointed by them for that purpose for the spiritual mental and physical well-being of youth in accordance with the rules and principles from time to time approved and adopted by the National Council”
(Info taken from a Declaration of Trust document dated 18th day of January 1945).
That is how our YMCA as we know it came into being.
During the late 1940s and into the 1950s Mr. Alwyn G. Thomas was in charge and it became a major and very popular venue for young boys of the village. A choir was formed ‘The Silver Songsters’ conducted by Mr. Thomas and accompanied by Mr. Gwyn Edwards, who gave regular concerts, especially on Sunday evenings when people went to the concerts after attending their own places of worship. Many activities were introduced and the ‘YM’ became a thriving place. When Mr. Alwyn Thomas retired Mr. Yorath Thomas took over and with Marie his wife a wonderful era of sports and entertainment for young people began.
n the 1950s the Y.M.C.A. was used to school Hungarian Refugees in English by the N.C.B. Tutors. They were welcomed by Yorie and to show appreciation painted and did simple repairs.
There was a visit of 17 Danish students for a week. 10 boys slept in the Y.M.C.A. while the girls stayed in various lodgings in the village. Valmai Edwards escorted the visitors to see our industries and schools.
The Y.M.C.A. was also used for wedding receptions with Mrs. F. Rowe in charge of the catering. Annual dinners were held with as many as a hundred guests. There was also an annual Christmas party. A drama festival was arranged with many villages participating. The Y.M. also took part in the carnivals of the village. There were many variety concerts. The social highlight of the week were the Saturday night dances, which progressed to a Wednesday night as well.
In the 1960s and the 1970s the Y.M.C.A. was yet again a hive of activity with concerts pantomimes, drama, dances, sports and away days. For several years Yorie and Marie would take a number of members to Saundersfoot for three weeks of camping, this was enjoyed by all who went. In 1963 The Y.M.C.A. silver band came into being led by the baton of George Morris. The sports teams were winning all sorts of trophies.
You could also enter the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme through the Y.M.C.A. In 1978 Hirwaun Y.M.C.A was presented with a rose bowl for being the most active club in Wales. What a triumph!
The success of the Y.M.C.A. was down to Yorie and Marie who lived on the premises and were dedicated to the youth of the day.
All the members of the Y.M.C.A who remember this era have only wonderful memories of the times when everyone worked together as a team and were proud when their production came to fruition.
n 1945 a group of young lads who were members of Hirwaun Y.M.C.A came up with the idea of forming a cycling club. The lads eagerly set things up and the Hirwaun (Y.M.C.A) Wheelers was formed, later dropping the Y.M.C.A from its title. Cycling in Hirwaun owes so much to the founding fathers.
Yorath Thomas, Trevor Poe, Will Hill, Ken Holt, Trevor Drew, Gwyn Jones, Hugh Jones, Dai Cahill, Eddie Aldred and Morgan (Mock) Edwards.
During this time lots of teams where formed such as football, cricket, basketball, badminton, Pool and table tennis.
In the 1960s and 1970’s The Y.M.C.A. produced 16 pantomimes performed in the Coliseum Aberdare and the Y.M.C.A. itself.
Jack and the Beanstalk, Mother Goose, Puss in Boots ,Aladdin, Robinson Crusoe, Babes in the Wood, Hansel and Gretel, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White. This was a mammoth task but it was greatly appreciated by all in the valley who spent many a happy hour being entertained.
Mr. David Jones Teacher painted the sets with the help of members. Mr. Allen Woodward directed and also took the part of the Pantomime Dame. Mrs. Violet Lloyd of the Crystals choreographed. Women’s Auxiliary committee held sewing sessions to make the costumes.
The cast of Aladdin also performed in St Mairs Day Centre.
A production of the Long and the Short and the Tall was put on in the Y.M.C.A with Yorie Thomas as the Japanese prisoner.
OUR VISION & VALUES
Our Vision
Hirwaun YMCA’s vision is of an inclusive Christian movement transforming communities so that all people can belong, contribute and thrive.
Our Value's
The way we act at YMCA is characterised by five strong and distinctive value's that flow from our Christian ethos.
We seek out
We actively look for opportunities to make a transformative impact on young lives in the communities where we work, and believe that every person is of equal value.
We welcome
We offer people the space they need to feel secure, respected, heard and valued; and we always protect, trust, hope and persevere.
We inspire
We strive to inspire each person we meet to nurture their body, mind and spirit, and to realise their full potential in all they do.
We speak out
We stand up for young people, speak out on issues that affect their lives, and help them to find confidence in their own voice.
We serve others
We are committed to the wellbeing of the communities we serve and believe in the positive benefit of participation, locally and in the wider world.