History of Y Care International

Y Care International grew out of the YMCA movement, an international association of indigenous youth movements from more than 120 countries, and the oldest international voluntary organisation in the world.  

YMCAs work within their communities for the personal, health and vocational development of men and women, irrespective of religious, racial or cultural background. In addition to assisting refugees and displaced people, in many countries YMCAs participate in movements for social change and justice.

In 1984 the National Council of the YMCA of England proposed a more sharply focused international strategy. The resulting organisation would be called Y Care International and would focus on development aid and education, working through YMCAs worldwide.

Terry Waite and two National Council of England employees, John Naylor and David Bedford, founded Y Care International in 1984 to support international relief and development work delivered through local YMCAs across the developing world. Terry Waite was its first Chair, with David Bedford as Director. Y Care International continued to be a subsidiary charity of the National Council of the YMCA of England.

In the 1990s Y Care International strengthened its role as a development agency with an increased focus on supporting disadvantaged young people, whose needs and rights are so often neglected.

In 2004 Chris Roles was appointed as Chief Executive, and in 2005 Y Care International became a fully independent charity, working through YMCAs worldwide, developing strong links with YMCA Area and World Alliances, and working in partnership with YMCAs in the UK and Ireland to encourage young people to engage in campaigns and global youth work.