For many people, the opportunity to attend the YMCA World Council is about professional development and global connection. For Rancy Moreaux, it also represents something deeply personal – the chance to grow, experience new cultures, and see the world through a different lens.

In July 2026, Rancy, an Early Years Practitioner at YMCA Eastleigh, will travel to Toronto as part of YMCA Fairthorne Group’s delegation to the YMCA World Council, joining YMCA colleagues from across the globe to share learning, perspectives and ideas.

“My main duty is to support my key children and the children in the preschool room with their learning and development,” Rancy explains. “That includes making sure they are safe and have opportunities to grow into confident and independent individuals with a voice.”

Having been part of the YMCA Eastleigh team for over a year, Rancy works closely alongside fellow practitioners to create a supportive and nurturing environment for children and families.

A Chance to Grow

For Rancy, applying to attend the YMCA World Council represented something much bigger than simply travelling abroad.

“The opportunity to travel to a different country means a great deal to me,” she says. “It represents a chance for personal growth, cultural enrichment, and learning beyond the classroom or familiar surroundings.”

The opportunity to experience different cultures and perspectives was something that strongly motivated her to apply.

“Experiencing life in another country allows me to immerse myself in new traditions, languages and perspectives,” she explains. “It broadens your understanding of the world and deepens empathy towards different communities.”

Excitement and Gratitude

Finding out she had been selected was a moment filled with emotion.

“I felt thrilled and honoured to be selected,” Rancy shares. “It was a mix of excitement and gratitude, knowing I’d have the chance to experience a new culture and grow in ways I hadn’t imagined for a long time.”

For Rancy, attending the World Council is also an opportunity to represent the values that sit at the heart of YMCA Fairthorne Group.

“To personally represent the YMCA means acting as a visible role model for its values,” she says. “Being welcoming, inclusive, understanding, supportive and friendly.”

Learning from the Wider YMCA Movement

One of the things Rancy is most looking forward to is hearing from people across different countries and communities.

“I’m really looking forward to learning from the diverse perspectives of delegates from around the world,” she explains. “I’m excited to contribute to meaningful discussions and understand how decisions are made that help shape workplaces and communities.”

Her professional interests naturally focus on children, education and inclusion.

“I would love to learn more about approaches to education, youth work, and how the SEND community is supported in different parts of the world,” she says.

Bringing Ideas Back Home

For Rancy, the value of the experience lies not only in what she learns personally, but also in what can be shared with colleagues back at Fairthorne.

“I hope to return with valuable insights around trends, innovations and best practice shared throughout the conference,” she explains. “I’m also looking forward to networking and learning from cultural approaches in childcare and community services.”

She hopes those insights can help strengthen practice locally.

“Even seeing how other professionals approach different challenges could bring new ideas and perspectives into our own work.”

A Broader Perspective

Rancy believes attending World Council will positively influence her work moving forward.

“It offers the opportunity to gain global insight into early childhood education,” she says. “Meeting international professionals and understanding their approaches to different topics will help broaden my own perspective and practice.”

A Message to Colleagues

For Rancy, being part of the wider YMCA movement is ultimately about growth, connection and possibility.

“This opportunity has already inspired me,” she says. “It’s opening new doors and perspectives for me personally and professionally.”

And perhaps most importantly:

“Being part of the wider YMCA movement creates connections, networking opportunities, and encourages you to embrace the world with curiosity and an open mind.”

This is just the beginning of the journey. Over the coming months, we’ll continue to share insights from colleagues attending the YMCA World Council – and, following the event, the learning and experiences they bring back to YMCA Fairthorne Group.

Because while our work happens locally, it is part of a global movement, and the impact of that connection is something we all share.