Summary
YMCA Cheltenham has appointed Nick Jermyn as head of housing and Barbara Williams as head of development and engagement, strengthening its senior leadership team as demand for its services grows across Gloucestershire. Nick will lead the delivery and development of the charity’s housing services.
Details
With almost 30 years’ experience in social housing, he will work with local authorities and community partners to strengthen the support available to residents, helping them build confidence, develop life skills and move towards independent living. He joins at a time when homelessness services across Gloucestershire are facing increasing pressure, with 1,394 people currently homeless in the region.
Gloucester has the highest number at 650, followed by South Gloucestershire with 447, while Stroud, Forest of Dean, Tewkesbury, Cheltenham and the Cotswolds together account for a further 297 people. Nick said: “A stable home can be the starting point for so many other things in life, from finding work to building confidence and independence.
I’m looking forward to working with the team to make sure our housing services give people the support they need, both now and for the future.” Last year YMCA Cheltenham provided 101,470 safe and secure nights of accommodation, supporting 652 people across the county. This included 133 children and young people, and 116 families who might otherwise have faced homelessness.
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Barbara also joins the charity having spent three years as head of fundraising for Read for Good. Prior to that, she was head of fundraising and communications at Age UK Gloucestershire for four years. An experienced fundraising and communications specialist in the not-for-profit sector, Barbara has a background in fundraising strategy, measuring programme impact and communicating results to wider audiences.
In her new role, Barbara will lead on development and engagement, focusing on building partnerships, raising awareness of YMCA Cheltenham’s services and generating income to help fund its critical work supporting the community. Barbara said: “I’m really pleased to be joining YMCA Cheltenham.
Throughout my career, I’ve been motivated by the difference charities can make to people’s lives, and I’m looking forward to being part of an organisation doing such important work in the local community. “From providing safe and secure housing and family support services to promoting physical and mental wellbeing, YMCA Cheltenham supports people at every stage of their journey.
I’m excited to get to know the team, build new relationships and help even more people benefit from the charity’s services across Gloucestershire.” For more than 170 years, YMCA Cheltenham has been supporting vulnerable people across Gloucestershire, helping individuals and families build strong foundations and thrive within their communities.
Report source: Punchline Gloucester
