Trustees

Our trustees play a pivotal role in guiding and overseeing YMCA Worcestershire’s Vision & Values. They bring a wealth of experience and dedication, ensuring that our operations align with our core values and long-term goals. Trustees are responsible for strategic planning, financial oversight, and ensuring compliance with legal and ethical standards. Their leadership and commitment are vital to our success, helping us to make a lasting impact in the communities we serve. Through their governance, we are able to navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and continuously strive towards our vision.

Trustee – Lindsay Sartori

(Chair/Treasurer)

As a financial and governance professional, I was delighted to join the YMCA Worcestershire Board in December 2021. I qualified as a chartered accountant and auditor with a London city firm and, since 1994, have held senior leadership roles in national charities. They include Director of Finance and Resources at the Alzheimer’s Society, the Scout Association and YMCA England and Wales, and CEO of YMCA George Williams College.

I am a former non executive Board member and president of England Netball, and currently sit on the Trustees’ Board of the Diana Award.

Every young person should have the opportunities to develop their potential and I hope that by using my skills and experience as a trustee, I can support YMCA Worcestershire in a small way to achieving this objective.

What three words would you use to describe YMCA Worcestershire?

Community, young-people-focused, caring.

Trustee – Philip Smiglarski

My experience of the YMCA is that its Christian ministry reaches out and engages with people regardless of their background or beliefs. It aims to serve the individuals that it works with by catering to their needs.  The organisation demonstrates the teaching of Jesus through service and witness. I have always been drawn to this work and this led me to apply to become part of YMCA Worcestershire.

I worked full-time for the YMCA for 9 years and for Birmingham City Council for 30 years. My last job with Birmingham was as an Area Youth Officer for 25 years. This was in different parts of Birmingham in both outer and inner-city areas. An area was the size of two parliamentary constituencies.

My Christian journey has led me to believe that it is important to reach out to people regardless of whether they have faith in God or not. I am particularly influenced by Gospel accounts of Jesus eating with sinners and the parable of the Good Samaritan.  I believe that Christians need to be involved with and try to meet the needs of their community and I try to do this in my life. The YMCA is a good example of Christian mission.

What three words would you use to describe YMCA Worcestershire?

Inclusive, Serving, Witness.

Trustee – Emma Cartwright

My name is Emma, and I am a Children and Families Mission Enabler at the Church of England Birmingham; I support volunteers within the parishes in the Warley and Edgbaston Deanery to grow their ministry to children and their families.  Prior to working for the Church of England I spent 24 years working in project roles within the DWP and Housing for a Local Authority.

I was very flattered to be invited to consider becoming a Trustee and said yes as I feel this is a wonderful ambitious organisation making a real positive influence on the lives of those in the County.  The trustees and the members of staff I have met have been very welcoming, knowledgeable and caring. I look forward to using my skills and experience to support them to serve our communities.

In my spare time I love reading, walking and meeting friends for coffee and the obligatory cake!   I am an active volunteer in Girlguiding UK and as well as running two units am a trustee for our local campsite.  I am passionate about creating fun and nurturing learning environments for children and adults.  It’s important to me that everyone is provided with the opportunity to fulfil their potential, to know that their talents are unique and needed and that they are loved by God.

What three words would you use to describe YMCA Worcestershire?

Welcoming, caring, and innovative.

Trustee – Mel Braden

My name is Mel. I currently work as the Executive Head of Nurseries and Quality at YMCA Black Country Group . I’ve been fortunate to work at YMCA Black Country Group since 2018, and am excited to now be part of the board at YMCA Worcestershire.

I am a passionate advocate for children, especially in the crucial early years – representing or giving voice to children whose concerns and interests are not being heard. I am incredibly proud to have led teams of exceptional early years specialists and practitioners who are committed to providing high quality education and care across the UK.

I love the values and ethos of YMCA that put people at the centre of everything we do. Our teams are full of inspirational individuals that really strive to support children, families and their communities every day.

In my spare time I enjoy being with my family, especially travelling together and exploring new places!

What three words would you use to describe YMCA Worcestershire?

Welcoming, innovative and ambitious.

Trustee – Revd Gail Rogers

Hello, I am Gail. I am the vicar of St Leonard’s, Beoley and St Laurence, Alvechurch. I enjoy spending time with my family, reading and going to the theatre. I am part of a local drama group too.

Being a trustee of the YMCA is exciting. I love that our ethos and vision is grounded in the love of God who desires for us to know that we are valued and valuable to God and to our communities.

I am passionate about community, about seeking just structures and supportive networks where young people and families can achieve their full potential.

YMCA Worcestershire is a fabulous organisation to be part of, it has an energy, a vision, and the desire to see young people be the best that they can be, to see themselves as a blessing to the communities they are part of. To be part of this in a small way and to witness it first had is a real joy.

What three words would you use to describe YMCA Worcestershire?

Empowering, Community, Hope-filled.

Trustee – Revd Mike Sermon

My name is Mike.  I am a priest in the Church of England and currently I work as Area Dean for Warley & Edgbaston supporting and encouraging twenty-three churches and clergy across the Church of England Birmingham.  Prior to this I spent eighteen years working in banking and finance.

I was delighted to be asked to become a trustee of YMCA Worcestershire board and to offer my experience supporting and encouraging young people and their communities to realise the infinite potential that exists within us all.  So that whoever we are and wherever we come from, we may all flourish together.

I enjoy spending time with friends and family, playing snooker and supporting Aston Villa amongst other things.

What three words would you use to describe YMCA Worcestershire?

Flourishing caring community