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YMCA Chaplaincy
Alongside our youthwork programmes, Chaplaincy helps us to express the Christian ethos and mission of the YMCA movement through presence, pastoral care, community, and spiritual support.
The YMCA Ireland Chaplaincy is committed to:
- Remaining rooted in the YMCA movement
- Expressing our Christian ethos in practice
- Breaking down barriers to accessible and preventative wellbeing support
- Supporting the flourishing of the whole person – body, mind, and spirit
Wellbeing, Belonging and Faith
Since 1844, the YMCA has articulated a Christian vision for the whole person- body, mind, and spirit.
Rooted in this founding vision, YMCA Ireland Chaplaincy seeks to express the Christian ethos of the YMCA movement through presence, pastoral care, wellbeing support, community, and spiritual accompaniment. Through listening, reflection, relationship, and compassionate support, we create accessible spaces where people can experience belonging, hope, and flourishing.
Our work continues the YMCA tradition of caring for the whole person and ensuring that Christian mission remains active and visible within YMCA communities today.
The Vital Work of Our Chaplaincy Volunteers in Ireland
Our chaplaincy volunteers are embedded in the work of YMCA Ireland, and its impact is woven across every aspect of our work.
Our volunteer chaplains are a vital resource, providing a compassionate presence and pastoral care to our personnel and beneficiaries.
Almost all of our work takes place within local YMCA associations, where our chaplains provide:
- A regular pastoral presence in their local context
- One-to-one pastoral support
- Youth work input, focused on Christian identity
- Spaces for reflection and prayer
- Community prayer and worship events
A dedicated team of staff and volunteers co-ordinate the project
Alex Bartholomew
Chaplaincy Coordinator
Ashleigh McCartan
Chaplain, Greenhill YMCA
Vivienne Kane
Chaplain, Portadown YMCA
Shula Chisha
Chaplain, Cork YMCA
Becca Robbins
Chaplain, Newcastle YMCA
Creating safe and supportive spaces for young people
Our chaplains provide a safe space for young people to build connection and to explore faith.
Click play to hear one of our young people explain how chaplaincy impacted her experience of faith and belonging.
Our Impact Internationally
Beyond our work in Ireland, YMCA Ireland Chaplaincy also plays an important role within the wider YMCA Europe Christian Mission Network, contributing to the shared mission and spiritual life of the YMCA movement across Europe.
This work is undertaken in partnership with local associations and culminates training new chaplains across the UK and Ireland and in a week long summer camp where young participants benefit from high quality youth work, cultural exchange and the opportunity to explore faith for themselves in an international context.
Explore Your Call to YMCA Chaplaincy with Us
We offer free Chaplaincy Essentials Training to candidates who are interested in volunteering in YMCAs with a need for chaplaincy. Training begins on 30th September 2026 and runs on Wednesday mornings for six-weeks.
Check out the video below for a taster of what you’ll learn.
For more information or to apply, please email alex.bartholomew@ymca-ireland.net.
Chaplaincy Team
We are the YMCA’s team of chaplains in Ireland.
Alex Bartholomew
alex.bartholomew@ymca-ireland.net
National Coordinating Chaplain
Alex is from Portadown but has lived in East Belfast for the past ten years. Before working for the YMCA she was based in a local church working with kids and young people. Above all, Alex loves working with people and seeing others flourish and this is underpinned by her faith and spirituality. She recently trained to become an Integrative Counsellor to enhance and deepen her supportive and caring skills. In her spare time Alex likes a cold water swim with friends and running. She is an avid sewist and knitter but doesn’t get much time to do it!
Laura Bell
laura.bell@thisiscfc.com
Belfast
Laura is married to her teenage sweetheart Chris and they currently live in Belfast with their 2 girls Maeve and Fia. She is the Pastor of Christian Fellowship Church in South Belfast which she planted 6 years ago. She is an activist, loves people, enjoys working collaboratively on lots of projects, and is an aspiring house renovator. She is passionate about seeing young leaders empowered and equipped to lead across all sectors of society and in particular seeing women released to lead in the church in Ireland. She enjoys sports, travel, reading, movies, inspirational people & good conversations. She currently serves on the board of YMCA Belfast, the leadership of Women’s Explore and Kyria, and has just completed a Masters in Kingdom Theology.
Merle Patterson
merle.patterson@ymca-ireland.net
Portadown
Merle is married to Mark & they have 4 children. She’s a BA Hons in Applied Theology & recently graduated from Queen’s with a PGCE. She’s passionate about Jesus & living for Him. She loves to help & disciple people. She enjoys walks in the local park with her British Bulldog Winston, crocheting, & making jam!
Evancia Aboussou
evancia.aboussou@ymca-ireland.net
Cork
Hey, my name is Evancia, and I go by Eva. I have been living in Cork since 2017. I am working as a Software Quality Analyst and have recently started a childcare course. If you don’t find me at my work desk, I will probably be walking, running, playing some music, or hanging out with my friend or the teens of my church.
Cherise Boraski
cherise.boraski@ymca-ireland.net
Dublin
My name is Cherise, I’m 23 years old, Canadian and I have lived in Ireland for the last five years. While originally I had planned on being a secondary school teacher, I have found that my passion is for youth work and pastoral care within the community. I really enjoy playing music and having a jam session with my friends as well as going on hikes.
Courtney Lynch
courtney.lynch@ymca-ireland.net
Dublin
Hi, my name is Courtney and I have been living in Dublin/Wicklow for almost 2 years. I love playing and listening to music and animals, especially dogs. When not at work you can find me bordering/ rock climbing (indoors), hiking in the Wicklow Mountains, or reading while drinking tea.
Resources
Self Care & Reflection
Self care is vital to holistic health, practicing reflection, good rhythms, and more can boost our health for our mind, body, & spirit.
Here’s a self care resource which might be helpful to do now and then review in a few months time.
Contact us if you’d like help with these or to simply chat through them or more guidance in your reflection.
React, Pray, Take Action
Breige O’Hare, writer, spiritual director and facilitator, has put together a lovely resource that can help inform and guide our prayers and reflections on Climate Action.