Our Annual Gathering + AGM took place from Friday 24th – Saturday 25th November 2023.

Over 100 staff, volunteers and young people gathered from across the national movement in Newcastle for our Annual Gathering event, along with special guests YMCA Europe Secretary General, Juan Simoes Iglesias and Ireland’s UN Youth Delegate, Alicia O’Sulliavan.

The event showcased our core values of Welcome, Opportunity, Wellbeing, Peace & Justice – and provided the time and space to further unpack and share how our vision and mission continues to guide and lead our work and impact. 

Workshops were facilitated by young people and staff from a range of areas across the movement; including Play with YMCA Childcare, Climate Justice with YMCA Future Generations, Peace with Belfast YMCA, Welcome with Groundfloor, Cork and Wellbeing with YMCA Chaplaincy.

Alicia O’Sulliavan, Ireland’s UN Youth Delegate shared on the importance of opportunity for young people and ensuring that their voice is represented at all levels of decision making. Juan Simoes Iglesias, YMCA Europe Secretary General inspired us with the courage to continue moving forward in our actions and impact, both across our island and beyond.

On Saturday morning, we held our national AGM – presenting the Annual Report for 2023.