The YMCA Ireland Movement convened at the beautiful Greenhill YMCA in Newcastle, County Down, on November 28th and 29th, for the highly anticipated Annual Gathering & AGM 2025.
Under the theme, ‘Every YMCA is a Place of Opportunity’, the two-day event successfully brought together young people, staff, and volunteers from across Ireland for an incredible time of connection, collaboration, and inspiration.
A Magical Kick-Off
The energy was palpable from the start as participants were welcomed by our fantastic Youth Hosts. The gathering kicked off with a ‘magical’ night designed for connection and fun, featuring the Big YMCA Quiz—a night of laughter, teamwork, and a chance to celebrate the amazing work happening across YMCA programmes. It was a wonderful reminder of the strength found in coming together as a Movement.
Focus on Impact: The 49th Annual General Meeting
The heart of the weekend was the YMCA Ireland’s 49th Annual General Meeting (AGM). Beyond the essential organisational business and governance ensuring a strong and accountable future for the Movement, the AGM was a powerful showcase of the YMCA’s profound impact.
Attendees heard moving, direct accounts from young people and staff whose lives have been transformed by YMCA opportunities in areas like peacebuilding, community wellbeing, and vocational programmes.
We were privilege to welcome Chris Quinn, the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People (NICCY), as our guest speaker. Drawing on his extensive youth work journey, Chris passionately underscored the critical importance of empowering youth voices and creating meaningful spaces for young people to truly flourish. His message resonated strongly with the weekend’s core theme of opportunity.
Innovation and Collaboration at the YMCA Marketplace
The Annual Gathering transformed into a bustling hub of innovation with the YMCA Marketplace. This interactive space allowed young people, staff, and volunteers to connect, share learning, and spark new collaborative initiatives. Showcasing stations demonstrated the breadth of the Movement’s work, including:
- Esports & Digital Creativity with Youth Vocation
- Empowering Youth Voice and inclusive Youth Spaces
- Heritage, Wellbeing, Volunteering, and Sustainability initiatives
Seeing so many passionate people sharing ideas for future opportunities truly embodied the spirit of the YMCA Movement.
Tech, Talk, and Tranquility: Afternoon Workshops
The high energy continued into Saturday afternoon with a series of engaging workshops and activities focused on digital creativity, youth representation, and wellbeing.
Digital Creativity Hub
The Marketplace morphed into an exciting Digital Creativity Hub, shining a light on YMCA Youth Vocation. Participants explored innovation through tech, diving into activities including:
- Motion Stop Filmmaking
- ActionBound Digital Scavenger Hunts
- Hands-on STEAM activities
Voice and Representation
Young people took centre stage in discussions about Meaningful Participation and Representation. They shared how YMCA opportunities have created real-world impact, from their local communities to national and international platforms—truly showcasing the power of youth voice.
Wellbeing and Nature
For a chance to recharge, participants explored wellbeing with a beautiful guided walk outdoors. Taking in the scenic setting and views of Greenhill, it was the perfect opportunity to connect with nature and reflect.
The Annual Gathering & AGM 2025 was a resounding success, fulfilling its promise to be a ‘Place of Opportunity’. It reinforced the critical role of the YMCA in Ireland and provided a clear, inspiring vision for the future of the Movement.
