About Us
YMCA believes in fairness and opportunity.
Our youth campus is regarded as one of the best YMCA centres in the country and this is affirmed through winning the Youth Matters Award for YMCA of the Year for 2019/20. We remain the only YMCA to have won this prestigious award twice, having also won in 2014/15.
More than 1500 people use YMCA North Staffordshire every month from a wide customer base – young people, families, children, community groups, sports teams, vulnerable adults, youth clubs, business meetings and art classes because they find support and encouragement here. We are a place where young people, families and our communities can get access to services and resources that will help them develop a better future for themselves and others.
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“YMCA gives me hope and the ability to dream again — a place where I feel believed in, supported, and never alone."
Faith
At YMCA North Staffordshire we source our values from the teachings of Christ, as articulated by Paul in the 1st letter to the Corinthians.
YMCA North Staffordshire has provided young people in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire with an opportunity to develop and realise their God-given potential since 1851. Today, it works with young men and women regardless of race, religion, culture, faith and those of none.
YMCA is the largest and oldest Christian youth movement in the world. It is best seen as an international organisation delivering services locally. It is our beliefs that hold us together.
We are joined in fellowship with the International YMCA movement and are a major contributor to developing the reach of YMCA in England & Wales.
Our Vision & Values
PROTECT
Protect; to offer sanctuary from the physical, emotional and practical storms that life will inevitably bring.
We have a duty of care to those we serve, this is manifest in our clear focus on safeguarding all those in our fellowship. There is a basic legal requirement that any charitable business must follow. However, we need to adopt a higher standard in our attitude to safety and risk, across all aspect of the association, in our governance, in our responsibilities to each other. In our management function, in the responsibility of everyone to offer basic sanctuary from the physical, emotional, and practical storms that life will inevitably bring.
HOPE
Hope; to stand in solidarity with those who feel without hope.
A local YMCA association is a beacon of hope, a place that sees humanity as a positive, active force for good. That every “wonderfully and dangerously” made human can bring light and life into the world. A place that sees the future potential and gift and talent, that view those we serve as treasure not trouble. An attitude that understands the darkest hour is very painful and scary, but dawn will come. Our role is to actively encourage, the care to stand in solidarity with those who feel without hope.
PERSEVERE
Persevere; to grow strength and maturity in young people as we stand with them through thick and thin.
We know God is a healer, but he tends to use time, we often work with individuals that have experienced a lot of hurt and trauma, this is the dust that stops individuals from seeing themselves with the obvious gifts and talents we know every individual has. We work with young people, and as any parent knows the trauma of teenager years can never be underestimated. Forgiveness, redemption and repair are cyclical and need to revisit often. We will only grow resilience and maturity in young people if we stand with them through thick and thin.
TRUST
Trust; we must always deliver on our promises; our yes must be yes and our no must be no.
Is the most fragile of human emotions, and once broken take the longest to rebuild. Our word must be our bond. Authenticity is something that all humans can taste, see and feel. We welcome people into fellowship, we at all levels of the association must be clear in our promises, clear in describing expectations and service, we must always deliver on our promises. Our yes must be yes and our no must no.
YMCA Leadership Team
We are proud to have a leadership team that is supportive, creative, and patient, bringing a wealth of experience, insight, and commitment to their roles while working collaboratively to drive innovation, inspire excellence, and deliver positive outcomes across our organisation.
Nicky Twemlow
Chief Executive of YMCA North Staffordshire
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Nicky Twemlow
Chief Executive of YMCA North Staffordshire
Peter Flynn
Facilities & Estates Director
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Peter Flynn
Facilities & Estates Director
With over 32 years in the voluntary sector, including the last 17 years specialising in facilities management, I’m passionate about creating safe, sustainable, and welcoming environments that support communities to thrive. I enjoy building strong teams and improving services through practical leadership. Outside work, I’m a dedicated hi-fi enthusiast and enjoy escaping on caravanning adventures across the UK.
Fun fact: I can happily spend hours fine-tuning speaker placement!
Josephine Mensah
HR Director
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Josephine Mensah
HR Director
Over 21 years of experience in human resources and people development has made Josie passionate about helping individuals grow holistically. She enjoys bringing teams together to achieve shared goals and foster positive workplace cultures (ideally with cake).
Fun fact: she’s an untapped talent in dance and acting Hollywood, watch this space.
Yvonne Dyer
Finance Director
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Yvonne Dyer
Finance Director
Gyapomaa Manu-Antwi
Associate Director of Supported Housing
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Gyapomaa Manu-Antwi
Associate Director of Supported Housing
John Beswick
Associate Director of Operations
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John Beswick
Associate Director of Operations
With a background spanning youth work, sports, education, and community development, John has been with YMCA North Staffordshire for over sixteen years. He loves scaling projects, developing people, and seeing others succeed.
Fun Fact: When John’s not on the golf course or padel court, you’ll find him obsessing over the perfect pizza dough!
Dan Johnson
Hospitality, Pantry and Food Provisions Manager
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Dan Johnson
Hospitality, Pantry and Food Provisions Manager
Dan has been at the YMCA for over 11 years. Starting his career supporting young people grow and develop through the NCS programme. Dan then joined the Business Development Team, helping to bring in funding to help the organisation provide its services and activities. Now he is currently on a secondment helping our canteen, Pantry and hospitality offer to grow.
Dan is passionate about helping provide life chances to people who face barriers to achieving and giving them opportunities to grow and share their skills.
Fun Fact: Dan has built a climbing training wall in his garage.
Paul Burns
Sports Manager
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Paul Burns
Sports Manager
Paul has worked in the leisure industry for 27 years, including 22 years in leisure Management, leading teams, creating safe and welcoming environments that encourage communities to stay active. Passionate about swimming, football, and promoting healthy lifestyles through sport and fitness.
Fun fact: Paul loves playing football and watching his son play, but nothing beats him getting on the dance floor when the music starts.
Nicola Wilshaw
Finance Manager
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Nicola Wilshaw
Finance Manager
Tracey Pointon
Executive Services & Communications Manager
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Tracey Pointon
Executive Services & Communications Manager
Tracey plays a vital role behind the scenes, keeping executive operations running like clockwork. As a dedicated EA to the Chief Executive and Senior Management team, she supports leadership with everything from strategic planning to team mentorship. Equally at home organising events, building media relationships, or mentoring colleagues, Tracey loves using her organisational talents to support a thriving workplace.
Fun Fact: She’s an avid F1 fan who loves fishing, kayaking, and spending time with her Miniature Schnauzer, Polly.
Bruce Petitt
Health & Safety Manager
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Bruce Petitt
Health & Safety Manager
An experienced Housing and Health and Safety Manager with 27 years service in the voluntary sector. I have NEBOSH Certificates for General Health and Safety, Fire Safety and Environmental Management. Also, a Postgraduate Diploma in Housing Management and an NVQ Level 6 in Health and Safety. Also experience of managing teams of people.
Fun Fact: I was once sawn in half on stage (this is true!) but afterwards I managed to pull myself together and got a job at the YMCA.
Chris Deakin
Campus Operations Manager
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Chris Deakin
Campus Operations Manager
With 20 years at YMCA North Staffordshire across housing, quality, and compliance, Chris brings over two decades of experience. He previously worked in ceramics and SureStart. For 23+ years, Chris has run training and employment projects, helping parents and youth progress. He loves watching people build confidence, secure jobs, and create bright new futures.
Fun fact: Outside of work, when he’s not cheering on Stoke City, Chris keeps active—whether that’s swimming, walking, tackling the occasional Parkrun, or rewarding himself afterwards with a craft beer or two.
Peter Dartford
YMCA North Staffordshire Chair of the Board of Trustees
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Peter Dartford
YMCA North Staffordshire Chair of the Board of Trustees
I served in the Fire and Rescue Service for 34 years, starting as a Firefighter in Hertfordshire, transferring to Staffordshire in 1999, where I was appointed Chief Fire Officer in 2008. On retirement from the Service, I joined the NHS as a non-executive member of the North Staffordshire Clinical Commissioning Group and in 2022 became the Chair of a multi-agency group that supported people in the City experiencing multiple disadvantage.
Fun fact: I am the Safety Manager at Leek Town Football Club and in my spare time I can be seen walking around Leek and the surrounding areas with my Sprocker Spaniel, Buddy.
Micheal Toohey
YMCA North Staffordshire Vice Chairman
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Micheal Toohey
YMCA North Staffordshire Vice Chairman
After 10 years working in farming, I retrained and worked as a Probation Officer for over 30 years. Whilst doing that, I learnt that this YMCA was seeking new trustees and for reasons still unclear to me, I was welcomed onto the board and seem to have fitted in somehow.
Fun fact: I ride motorbikes and drive boats for pleasure.
Nathan Joy-Johnson
YMCA North Staffordshire Trustee
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Nathan Joy-Johnson
YMCA North Staffordshire Trustee
Nathan has led one of the largest Group Procurement Organisations (GPO’s) in the NHS for almost 18 years which currently supports nine NHS organisations (including the host UHNM), across the Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent, Cheshire, Shropshire and Black Country Integrated Care Systems (ICS’s).
Prior to working in the NHS Nathan spent eighteen years working in both the Procurement and Engineering professions for a number of international blue chip organisations in the Automotive, Construction and Food sectors, qualifications include an HNC (Engineering), MSc (Procurement), a fully qualified member of the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (MCIPS) and a fully qualified EITB Mechanical / Electrical Engineer.
Fun fact: Nathan is part of the junior cricket coaching team at Porthill Park CC where he currently supports two teams. He is also a lifelong supporter of Torquay United Football Club.
Jane Sawyers
YMCA North Staffordshire Trustee
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Jane Sawyers
YMCA North Staffordshire Trustee
Jane is a Deputy Lieutenant for Staffordshire, the Chair of the Hubb Foundation and a Patron of the Police Arboretum Memorial Trust and a local advocacy support charity, ASIST.
Fun Fact: Jane is a lifelong Port Vale fan and led them out as a mascot on her 10th birthday
Phil O’Neill
YMCA North Staffordshire Trustee
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Phil O’Neill
YMCA North Staffordshire Trustee
Phil is Head of Business Engagement at Harper Adams University. He lives and studied in Stoke‑on‑Trent and has spent his career working at the intersection of education, business and community. He brings a strong local perspective and a collaborative, people‑focused approach to partnership and governance.
Fun fact: Outside work, Phil juggles family life with sporting interests, running at a below‑amateur standard and supporting the mighty Port Vale with above‑average enthusiasm.
Jessica Young
YMCA North Staffordshire Trustee
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Jessica Young
YMCA North Staffordshire Trustee
Joining the board from a different angle; having lived experience; giving the board more diversity. As well as having worked different job/volunteer roles within different YMCA’s, including being a youth ambassador alongside this, I’m studying a three year degree in psychology at Strode college, in partnership with Plymouth university and university centre somerset.
Fun fact: A fun fact about myself, in recent years I have started aerial hooping, starting in stafford and carrying on moving to Glastonbury.
Paul Williams
YMCA North Staffordshire Trustee
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Paul Williams
YMCA North Staffordshire Trustee
With an academic career spanning more than 35 years, Paul has taught and researched in tourism and destination management, placemaking, culture-led regeneration and storytelling. He was instrumental in Stoke-on-Trent’s UK City of Culture bid and led the successful application to become a designated World Craft City. He is co-chair of Stoke Creates and a board member of Stoke-on-Trent City Centre BID, We Are Staffordshire, and The Music Partnership.
Fun Fact: Paul is an avid plate-turner and on a visit to the British Embassy in Vietnam introduced the Ambassador to turning over crockery to check the backstamp.
Paul Franklin
YMCA North Staffordshire Trustee
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Paul Franklin
YMCA North Staffordshire Trustee
I lead HSBC’s North Staffordshire and South Cheshire coverage, focused on MME and Corporate clients (£15m–£350m turnover). I joined HSBC (then Midland Bank) in 1986 and have worked all across the Midlands and North-West, including Branch Manager roles and Credit. I manage 25 self-sourced clients, supporting growth, acquisitions, and reorganisations.
Fun fact: I am a passionate music fan and keep a spreadsheet of the professional bands I’ve seen. As at May 2026 the number stands at 326!
Andy Robinson
YMCA North Staffordshire Trustee
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Andy Robinson
YMCA North Staffordshire Trustee
I am a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD, formerly Director of Human and Physical Resources at Stoke on Trent College (1994 to 2011) and earlier held senior Personnel and Management Services posts at Nottinghamshire County Council. I have Masters degrees in Philosophy and in Human Resource Development. I chair the Organisational HR Group at YMCANS and act as HR Adviser to the HR team and the wider Management Team.
Fun Fact: I am a former amateur racing driver and won races at Silverstone, Brands Hatch, Castle Combe and Oulton Park circuits. I am now semi retired and am an active musician and songwriter.
YMCA through the years
Through the years, the YMCA has continued to evolve, responding to the changing needs of communities while staying true to its core values.
1844
YMCA was founded by Sir George Williams – a worker in the drapery trade in London. Concerned about the welfare of his fellow workers, he started a prayer and bible study group. This soon grew and attracted men from across London.
1844-1849
YMCA begins to address other concerns of young men working in the cities. Public lectures and education classes are developed. Reading rooms and refreshment areas help young men to adjust to urban life.
1845
YMCA spreads outside London and branches are set up in Manchester and Leeds.