About Us

Welcome to the YMCA Reading. We are part of the English Federation of YMCAs and the worldwide YMCA Movement. YMCA is the largest and the oldest charity working with young people in the world. Across England there are 114 YMCAs, each one is a thriving and active community. A community that is transforming lives. We provide a wide array of community based activities and services to help meet local needs. YMCA Reading has been active since 1845 making us one of the oldest YMCAs in the world.

Our Work

Our aim is to empower young people and build stronger communities. Here at YMCA Reading we do everything we can to bring young people together, give them opportunities to try new things, and integrate with the local community.

Our primary service is to provide quality supported accommodation to 40 of Reading’s most vulnerable 18-25 year olds who would otherwise be homeless.

We are very proud to run the Parkside Pre-School and Parkside Café, providing vital resources for the local community and families.
Our sports centre also provides classes for the local community to enjoy.

YMCA Reading is a non profit organisation with everything we do here going back to help the young people. So you are safe in the knowledge that from every cup of coffee you buy in the cafe through to hiring any of our spaces you are helping our charitable cause.

Our Team

Dave Poulton

Chief Executive Officer

Dave joined YMCA Reading in April 2021, bringing with him a wealth of experience and knowledge in the Youth, Playwork and Community sectors.

Dave has a community focus and is particularly interested in the rights of children and young people, commenting “I am particularly motivated by striving to improve services, and to have a positive impact on the lives of children and young people”.

Looking forward, Dave is excited to work closely with the Board of Trustees and the YMCA family to successfully deliver YMCA Reading’s strategic plan.

Jayne Evanson

General Manager

Jayne started in support, working with clients with learning difficulties in the mid-nighties. She was part of an NHS team supporting clients to move from an institution to their own homes, moving away from a set regime and having freedom to choose.

A few years later she moved into Housing Support work with young people, working in a ten bedded supported accommodation for 16 – 25 year old vulnerable people in Wokingham, 18 months after starting as a support worker Jayne was promoted to Manager and remained in this role for twelve years. She was part of the initial Supporting People funding implementation.

In 2008 she moved to a 128 bedded Scheme in High Wycombe as Housing Manager. Jayne’s role was to oversee the support to those who resided with them, ensure budget control, managing rental income and oversee staff supervision. By 2018 the site had been brought out by a larger YMCA and her role changed to Supported Housing Manager bringing many additional responsibilities which included overseeing all day to day operations at the site. She was able to redevelop unused areas of the site into accommodation and built their accommodation portfolio to 141 bed spaces. Jayne left this role after 15 years to take up placement at YMCA Reading.

Alison Bennett

Parkside Pre-School Manager & Acting Parkside Café Manager

Alison has worked in an Early Years setting and in key stage one in primary education for many years. Level 3 qualified in Early Years Child Care and Education and she has also gained, Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) status in 2009. At Parkside Pre-School Alison is responsible for the day to day running of the Pre-School. She is also the designated safeguarding lead, 2 year old check lead and transition and she holds also have a key person’s role.

Away from Pre-School, Alison enjoys her family life with her two grown up children, she also enjoys long distance walking, swimming and baking.

Donna Cousins

Bookings & Administrations Manager

Donna joined the team in May 2021, coming from a graphic design background, she has a keen eye for design and has unified the branding across the YMCA Reading site.

Donna is your first point of call for any enquiries regarding hiring of Padworth Activity Centre, Sport Centre facilities, meeting rooms or cafe for private functions.

She also manages our website and facebook pages.