Kevin Wake has been manager of Teesdale YMCA for six-and-a-half years but Thursday, December 22, will mark his final day at the helm. The 44-year-old, from Gateshead, came to what was then Barnard Castle YMCA in 2010. He revealed how much the charity had changed since those days.
“Young people came to Barnard Castle YMCA because our telly was bigger than theirs,” he said. “What we have seen change over the years is we have grown in our support and presence to working with not just young people but across the community.”
In 2013, Cockfield’s community cafe opened and Teesdale YMCA extended its reach across the dale.
Mr Wake listed the centre’s work to tackle rural isolation as one the highlights of his tenure.
“There are always people in there every day,” he said.
“It’s not just a community cafe but a young parents’ project and on a night-time it turns into a youth club. It’s in an area that is quite inaccessible and sometimes it’s difficult for community members to get out – we have brought all services under one roof.”
Alongside staff and volunteers, Mr Wake was proud of the charity’s work in training and education for those struggling in mainstream education. He added: “We had an Ofsted and we were rated outstanding – it was possibly one of the best achievements we have had at Teesdale YMCA.
“We certainly could not have achieved what we have without the tremendous staff and board around the table who have helped.
“We have got a very smart board who have allowed us to develop services – especially given the period of austerity which has covered the whole time since I have been here.”
Teesdale YMCA has raised £1.5million during Mr Wake’s spell in charge.
He thanked the National Lottery Fund, the Ballinger Trust, Comic Relief, Northern Rock and Teesdale Action Partnership (TAP) among many other organisations.
After 15 years with the charity, Mr Wake is setting up his own firm in Lanchester helping some of the most challenging youngsters in County Durham.
He said he’d be sad to go but was excited for the future.
“It has been a huge part of my life and something I will sorely miss,” he added. “My parting message to my staff and board is that the work is not finished. We have got a new chief executive in the role in January and I’ll be passing all my knowledge and contacts onto him.
“It’s going to be a huge challenge but I am really looking forward to it. My drive is for working with young people – I want to see them exceed all expectations. If I can support them in doing that then it’s Christmas for me.”
Mike Way, chairman of the YMCA trustees, paid tribute to Mr Wake’s leadership.
He added: “Not only has he helped strengthen our well-established youth work in the area, he has also enabled us to develop new activities – such as our Community Cafe in Cockfield, our apprenticeships scheme, young parents activities and our educational support for pupils excluded from school. We wish him well as he leaves us and we look forward to ever greater things as we welcome his successor very soon.”
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