Across YMCA Fairthorne Group, our work happens in nurseries, youth programmes, community spaces and support services across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. But behind that local impact sits something much bigger.
YMCA is one of the world’s largest youth movements, active in more than 120 countries and supporting millions of people every year. Every four years, representatives from across this global movement gather for the YMCA World Council, the movement’s most significant international event.
In July 2026, the next World Council will take place in Toronto, Canada, bringing together YMCA leaders, staff and youth delegates from around the world. Over the course of the week, participants will share learning, explore emerging challenges facing communities, and help shape the future direction of the global YMCA movement.
A Fair Selection Process
Representing YMCA Fairthorne Group at World Council is a significant opportunity, and one that required dedication, preparation and a strong application.
Staff from across the organisation were invited to apply through a structured application process, designed to identify individuals who could represent YMCA Fairthorne Group on the global stage and bring valuable insights back to the organisation.
Applications closed in September 2025, and following a rigorous review by a specialist selection panel, a delegation of colleagues from across YMCA Fairthorne Group was chosen.
The team selected to attend the 2026 YMCA World Council is:
- Ben Cooper – People Partner
- Ross Owen – Marketing and Sales Manager
- Rancy Moreaux – Early Years Practitioner
- Jo Pike – Volunteer Manager
- Sarah Fuller – Early Years Quality Manager
- Kirsty Brennan – Inclusion & SEND Manager
The delegation will be led by Vikki Kennesion, Director of Early Years, who will guide the group throughout the event. CEO Phillipa Spicer, will also be in attendance, along with Trustee, Sam Darrell, who will bring insights back to the rest of the board.
Cross-Organisation Perspective
One of the strengths of the Fairthorne delegation is the breadth of experience represented within the group. Colleagues from people and culture, early years, inclusion, volunteering and marketing will all contribute different perspectives to the conversations taking place at World Council.
This diversity reflects the breadth of YMCA Fairthorne Group’s work, and ensures that insights gathered during the event can be shared across different areas of the organisation when the team returns.
Bringing Global Insight Back Home
World Council is more than a conference. It is a space where YMCAs from across the world come together to exchange ideas, share successful approaches, and learn from the experiences of communities in different countries.
For YMCA Fairthorne Group, participation means more than simply attending the event. It is about bringing those global insights back into our organization, strengthening the way we support children, young people, families and communities locally.
Over the coming months, Common Ground will introduce each member of the delegation, explore what they hope to gain from the experience, and later share the insights they bring back from Toronto.
And for those who may one day consider applying themselves, this series will also offer a glimpse into what it means to represent YMCA Fairthorne Group as part of a global movement.
Because while our work begins in our local communities, it is also part of something much larger.
