BOURNEMOUTH YMCA’s executive director Blair Crawford is stepping down after a 40-year career with the association.

Mr Crawford trained as a youth worker with the YMCA in the 1970s, met his wife through the charity and rose through the ranks to become the head of Bournemouth YMCA in 1990.

He is retiring to concentrate on his roles as a West Southbourne councillor, cabinet member for adult social care and vice-chairman of both the Bournemouth 2026 Trust and Moorlands College.

Mr Crawford, pictured inset, said: “The Bournemouth YMCA I joined in 1990 was very different to that which exists today. We worked out of the one headquarter building in Westover Road which had been purpose built in the 1930s and which had undergone extensive refurbishment.

“The association was turning over about half a million pounds with the work largely focused on social housing and a very small staff team.”

He has overseen numerous initiatives including the town’s first community radio station Hope FM, two health and fitness centres, two children’s centres, a £4.5m rebuild of Pokesdown Youth Centre and the Echo-backed Shoreideas competition for young entrepreneurs.

Bournemouth YMCA currently has eight local operating sites, over 150 staff and volunteers and a turnover of £3.5m annually.

Mr Crawford said: “Over the last 24 years I have been blessed to work with a wonderful staff team and many volunteers and partners who have been an essential part of what has been achieved. Without the commitment and dedication of so many great people, Bournemouth YMCA would not be where it is today.

“The YMCA is not really about buildings or impressive programmes. These are simply tools enabling us to work with people.

“Every day the Association literally sees thousands of local people impacted by its work and it is the effectiveness of being able to make a real difference in enhancing so many people’s lives that has been my inspiration and driving force over the years.”