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Our Team
We employ around 30 staff to deliver our services in Sutton Coldfield and Birmingham with a Board of Trustees who oversee and support the work we do
Parveen Ahktar
Housing & Facilities Service Manager
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Parveen Ahktar
Housing & Facilities Service Manager
I’m now the Housing and Facilities Manager and have been working at YMCA Sutton Coldfield for almost 20 years. My role is both exciting and complex. No two days are ever the same, and that’s what keeps it so rewarding.
Fun fact
I have a deep interest in studying my faith and religion. I’ve recently taken up daily prayers, which help me stay spiritually grounded and feel truly blessed.
Alan Burrows
Young Adult Carers Service Manager
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Alan Burrows
Young Adult Carers Service Manager
I studied at the University of Birmingham and have worked in youth and community organisations managing and delivering various youth work projects. I’ve worked at the YMCA for over 20 years, and used to manage our supported accommodation before my current role managing our Young Adult Carers Service.
Fun fact
I went to my first Birmingham City match aged 9 and got hooked. I took my sons for the first time when they were about the same age and Sky Sports interviewed us before the match – “keep right on ’til the end of the road!”
Claire Jelf
Disability Service Manager
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Claire Jelf
Disability Service Manager
I’ve worked with children, young people and adults with disabilities for most of my career. I’m passionate about inclusion and want to provide exciting opportunities for everyone.
Fun fact
I’m a keen crafter and am filled with joy when I get to start a new project on the sewing machine!
Lauren Lander
Youth Service Manager
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Lauren Lander
Youth Service Manager
I started work at YMCA Sutton Coldfield in 2019 after completing a work placement for university and am now the manager of our youth service. My passion lies with helping young people achieve their full potential and ensuring that every young person has a voice.
Fun fact
I love listening to country music!
Joy Scott-Thompson
Chief Executive Officer
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Joy Scott-Thompson
Chief Executive Officer
I have broad range of experience as a leader and senior manager. I previously worked for Birmingham City Council’s Adult Learning Department, and before that in Youth Services. I also volunteer at a community group in Handsworth.
Fun fact
I like to colour. It allows me to switch off, relax and by the end of it I have created something bright and bold.
Emma Freake
Finance Manager
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Emma Freake
Finance Manager
I’ve worked in Finance for various small charities and third sector organisations – mainly the Arts and Community Development sectors – for over 25 years, and joined YMCA Sutton Coldfield in 2012. As Finance Manager I enjoy working with the rest of our fantastic and committed team and Board to support them in changing the lives of young people for the better.
Fun fact
My two obsessions are wildlife and travel and I’ve been lucky enough to have some fantastic experiences combining the two. It’s a tough pick on the most memorable between watching giant turtles laying their eggs in Costa Rica and washing elephants in Thailand!
Rachel Dutta-Choudhury
Bid Writing, Fundraising and Development Manager
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Rachel Dutta-Choudhury
Bid Writing, Fundraising and Development Manager
Since graduating from University, I’ve worked for local authorities, housing associations, and charities. I lead on raising vital funds to keep our services going and am passionate about promoting the charity.
Fun fact
I visited Birmingham for the first time when I was 14 and came to see a Backstreet Boys concert. Little did I know I’d end up spending most of my life living here!
Paul Needham
Administation & Operations Manager
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Paul Needham
Administation & Operations Manager
I’ve worked in the voluntary and community organisations for most of my career, including several years with Citizens Advice and the National Deaf Children’s Society. I’m now leading on quality improvement and compliance within the charity.
Fun fact – As a student, I sold ice cream and doughnuts on the beach in the South of France like Keir Starmer!
Toni-Ann Whitehouse
Service Development Manager
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Toni-Ann Whitehouse
Service Development Manager
I have over 9 years’ experience working with YMCA Sutton Coldfield, starting as a volunteer supporting children and adults with SEND and then becoming a Project Coordinator. After working as a Deputy Manager in residential care, I returned to the YMCA to cover a Service Manager role and now focus on service development for the charity.
Fun fact
I love dogs and would love to have a house full, but one will do for now!
Beverley Redguard
Chair
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Beverley Redguard
Chair
Bev joined the board of trustees in 2022 and became Chair of the board in 2025. She’s a local mom of three who runs a family business with her husband. Bev and her family have benefited from the services of the YMCA as her son used to attend our Kkats project, so when she was approached to join the board it was a no-brainer for her. Bev says it’s so easy to get wrapped up in the day-to-day running of her business, to be in her own little world and not see much beyond her own doorstep and what is actually going on in your own community, so joining the board was the ideal opportunity to connect with the wider community and give something back.
“Sutton Coldfield is known for being a nice leafy suburb, with nice big houses but being part of the YMCA acts as a stark reminder that not everyone in the community is fortunate to have somewhere safe and warm to lay their head at night.”
Bev is keen to support more homeless young people to get their own place to call home.
Alex Yip
Vice Chair
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Alex Yip
Vice Chair
Councillor Alex Yip is the Councillor for Sutton Wylde Green ward and Birmingham City Council Shadow Cabinet Member for Social Justice, Community Safety and Equalities. He’s been a school governor since 2007, a Birmingham Magistrate since 2009, and a trustee of the City of Birmingham Orchestra (CBSO) since 2018. He is delighted to join as a Trustee of the Sutton Coldfield YMCA within his ward of Wylde Green whose work covers much of his previous portfolio overseeing Children, Young People and Families.
After graduating from Leicester University with a Masters in International Relations in 2004, Alex taught English in Shanghai for a year after volunteering in Ghana and Zambia. He has since returned many times spending considerable time volunteering across Africa through the Conservatives Friends of International Development (CFID) programmes, teaching budding entrepreneurs business skills in Rwanda and Tanzania in 2017 and 2018. He was a past Board Director of the Conservative Christian Fellowship (CCF) and a passionate supporter of raising mental health awareness, regularly fundraising for MIND.
A proud Brummie he enjoys playing chess, skiing and badminton, and is a very happy father of two.
Ruvimbo Kazora
Trustee
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Ruvimbo Kazora
Trustee
Ruvimbo joined YMCA Sutton Coldfield’s Trustee Board in 2025.
She’s a Trainee Solicitor at Shakespeare Martineau LLP.
Derek Sharples
Trustee
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Derek Sharples
Trustee
Derek joined the Board in 2025. Having spent 21 years working for one of the most famous social enterprises in the world, The Big Issue, he is hoping to bring some of what he learned there to YMCA Sutton Coldfield.
“Sutton Coldfield is a fantastic place to live and I’m thrilled to be given the opportunity to be a trustee for one of our leading local charities and help, in some small way, the less fortunate in the community around us.”
Derek’s lived in The Royal Town for 15 years and his two children are at a local school. He’s a keen squash player and golfer and can usually be found running around Sutton Park.
Abbie Mills
Trustee
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Abbie Mills
Trustee
Abbie joined the Board in 2024 and previously worked here.
“I have been a part of the YMCA over the last 14 years across various different projects as a volunteer, project worker and lead project worker, with most of my time in the Disability team. I am currently Head of Sensory Studies at The Hive College and a mom of one.
I joined the Board to support and enhance the future of the young people that the YMCA works with. I have a passion for working with children and adults with SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) and feel very strongly about enhancing their opportunities and futures within the community.
The YMCA brings so much joy, support and sense of community to each and every young person it supports, and to their families, and it’s a pleasure to be a part of their work.”
Phil Scully
Trustee
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Phil Scully
Trustee
Phil has been a board member since November 2017 and lives in Sutton Coldfield.
“I support the YMCA Sutton Coldfield for the range of programmes it delivers to help and support people within the local community.”
Phil is a lawyer, practising in the field of property litigation. He advise clients on a range of property-related disputes at a firm that focuses upon social purpose. His clients include housing associations, charities and local authorities.
Interested in working for us?
Keep checking our jobs page for vacancies
Interested in becoming a trustee?
Please get in touch
As a registered charity, we’re governed by a Board of Trustees who oversee the work we do and offer advice and support. As well as quarterly board meetings, there are opportunities to join steering groups for different functions like finance, fundraising and human resources.
Trustees shape and influence our strategic plans and are involved in key decisions. They live or work in the local community so they are representative of the areas where we deliver our services. We need their guidance and governance to make sure we identify and meet the needs of the local community, and uphold the vision and values of the YMCA.
We’re looking for people who have passion and ambition to make a difference by giving their time, knowledge and experience. You’ll be helping us make sure the charity is well run and continues offering vital services in Sutton Coldfield and Birmingham.
Our Services
