History & heritage

YMCA was founded by Sir George Williams – a worker in the drapery trade in London. Concerned about the welfare of his fellow workers, he started a prayer and bible study group. This soon grew and attracted men from across London.

YMCA spreads outside London and branches are set up in Manchester and Leeds.

Following links made at The Great Exhibition in London, YMCA spreads across the globe and YMCAs are established in the USA and Canada. Seven years after it was established, a YMCA is formed in Boston, USA.

The idea of creating a global organisation is pioneered by Henry Dunant, who would later go on to found the International Committee of the Red Cross. He convinced YMCA Paris to organise the first YMCA ‘World Conference’.

The conference produces the ‘Paris Basis’ – an agreement about the aims of YMCA. It also sees the launch of an international committee and headquarters, which would become the World Alliance of YMCAs.

The first YMCA opened its doors in Bath on January 3^rd at No 19 Green Street.

YMCA Bath moved to No1 Milsom Street to more suitable premises

YMCA Bath moved again, this time to 18 New Bond Street

YMCA Bath moved to No 4 Bridge Street staying there only a year

YMCA Bath moved to No 5 Quiet Street.

The first YMCA holiday centre is established on the Isle of Wight. Their huge popularity led to another 25 centres being opened. Billy Butlin later adapted the idea by creating purpose-built holiday camps.

The American YMCA opens its first gym.

The British YMCA incorporates personal fitness into its programmes and opens its first gym

YMCA Bath appointed their first General Secretary named Mr J A Stooke

In Bath, on 18^th October, we moved into our current building and it was formally opened by George Williams.

The American YMCA invents basketball and goes on to invent volleyball in 1895.

On the 50th anniversary of YMCA, George Williams receives a knighthood from Queen Victoria.

The World Alliance of YMCAs celebrates its 50th anniversary. There are now YMCAs in 45 countries with a global membership of over 707,000.

George Williams dies at the age of 83 and is laid to rest in the crypt at St Paul’s Cathedral.

During the First World War, YMCA supports the troops. YMCA huts provide soldiers with food and a place to rest on the frontline or at home in military camps and railway stations.

YMCA embarks on a massive education programme for soldiers, which eventually becomes the Army Education Corps.

The red poppy is introduced by an American YMCA worker and goes on to become a worldwide symbol of remembrance for those lost in the World Wars.

A YMCA employment department is set up in England to deal with unemployment. It finds jobs for 38,000 ex-servicemen.

In 1917 a Centre was opened at the War Hospital, Combe Park, Bath, by the National Council of YMCA’s and taken over by YMCA Bath in 1920. During the whole period a total of 39,000 men passed through its wards benefitting from YMCA support.

YMCA sets up the ‘British Boys for British Farms’ initiative which benefits 25,000 young people.

The British Government publishes the Albermarle report about the need for better leisure facilities for teenagers. This results in many YMCAs beginning youth clubs to promote young people’s personal development.

YMCA George Williams College is established in London, providing training programmes for professional youth workers. Today, the college is one of the leading trainers in informal education.

During the 1970s, YMCA increases its emphasis on young people most in need, focusing on homelessness and unemployment

YMCA Bath – the hostel extension opened offering a variety of single, twin, triple and quad rooms.

Y Care International, the overseas development agency of YMCA in the UK and Ireland is established. Today it supports projects for vulnerable young people in over 20 countries worldwide.

YMCA Bath Gym opened

YMCA Bath opened our first nursery in Bath

YMCA Bath started offering Holiday Clubs

YMCA Bristol merged with YMCA Bath

The Station Kitchen opened its doors for business serving great food and drinks and training young people

YMCAs in Wales affiliate to the National Council to form YMCA England and Wales

Started to offer the Nightstop project in Bath giving emergency accommodation to 16-25 yr olds

Started offering Platform for Life accommodation across B&NES

The Bristol Wing opened its doors for business in January 2018.

YMCA Bath Group and YMCA Mendip working towards a merger : Both YMCA’s have been collaborating since late 2017 when both trustee groups agreed to work towards merger. Due diligence has been completed and from April 2018 both YMCAs have been led by a single Chief Executive and from April 2019 by a single senior leadership team with close working through the organisation.

YMCA Bath Group and YMCA Mendip and South Somerset merged. This is an exciting time for both YMCAs as we come together with a shared vision to better serve the communities in Mendip, South Somerset, Bath, Bristol, Wiltshire and South Gloucestershire.

YMCA has over 58 million members in 119 countries worldwide. Since it was established, YMCA has adapted to the changing needs of young people.

Today it works with young men and women regardless of race, religion or culture. In every corner of the world, the YMCA is helping young people to build a future.