1 June 2024

Last month we celebrated a milestone achievement with a long serving staff member – Life Skills Co-ordinator, Dave Knatt. For the past 21 years, Dave has been an indispensable pillar of our team, embodying dedication, integrity and passion. 

Dave says – “I’ve been lucky enough to work at YMCA Worcestershire (and YMCA Worcester before that) for 21 years. In that time, I’ve had 13 different managers and 7 different job titles, and I can honestly say I have absolutely enjoyed every single day! Working for YMCA has provided me with so much. I’ve push biked from Worcester to Redditch (only one resident fell into the canal!) climbed up Yr Wyddfa (and manged to lose the minibus keys), had a snowball fight in Romania, attended a 4 day birthday party in London, had a cream tea with a monk, and swayed awkwardly at a number of evangelical leadership summits! I’ve learnt how to be a life coach, a first aider, a land yachter (I kid you not), a fire warden, an MC, and a guitarist. And I’ve taught a wide audience a broad range of topics, from team building, conflict resolution, sexual health, interpersonal skills, job seeking, budgeting, and most important of all, ironing. Across the years I’ve worked alongside some wonderful colleagues (the current bunch are my favourite) and I love waking up every day and having the opportunity to work here. I mean, yes, I can get excited about the opening of a bag of crisps, But I’ve still not lost any of the enthusiasm, I had since my first day, and I cannot wait for the next 21 years!”

As we celebrate this remarkable milestone, we send heartfelt gratitude for his loyalty and laughter! Here’s to many more years of collaboration and achievements!