MORE THAN JUST A ROOF

Robin Wynne-Hughes - Chairman

Each year brings its challenges and celebrations. Amongst the challenges all voluntary organisation face is that of funding. Our provision of services to homeless people in Cardiff is reliant upon the funding we receive from the Welsh Assembly through Supporting People Revenue Grant (SPRG) and we are very pleased that we have been able to accept that grant at a significant level for several years. Without it the YMCA’s work would be severely diminished and our 24/7 service over two sites for around 900 homeless people each year would greatly suffer.

Taking the grant comes at the price of meeting the criteria laid down by the Assembly, and at the end of the 2009/10 the Association underwent an in-depth SPRG inspection. I am pleased to say that this first inspection for us in many years resulted in a very positive report. There were of course a number of recommendations as would be expected, but it is reassuring to find that an external audit of services confirms what I and the Management Committee already believed. Congratulations to the Association’s staff team for their achievements in good practice and attaining these high standards.

There are many individual successes each year and I thank those service users who have been willing to tell their stories publicly in this Report and on our DVD, “More than Just a Roof”. Regretfully not all the stories have happy endings and 2009/10 saw more than its fair share of tragedies. At those times everyone working and living at the YMCA is touched to some degree. My thoughts go to those who have been affected by those tragedies and thanks also to the staff who dealt with the situations so professionally. We are a small organisation but are clear that we should play our part in trying to address the causes of homelessness as well as providing for the immediate needs of homeless people. To this end we aim to effectively support vulnerable people in our local community towards leading rewarding and independent lives.

Whilst we have met our targets again, we cannot be complacent and the Management Committee will continue to look at new ideas and developments to ensure our work is relevant and viable for the future. I am pleased to welcome onto the Committee John Ryder and say thank you and farewell to two members who have given long service, Alan Crocker and Doug Bale. I offer my thanks to my fellow Committee members and to the staff for their support and hard work throughout the year. The end of one year marks the start of another and I look forward to being part of working on the challenges we have before us in the next twelve months.