Maria Goodwin - CEO

Maria has worked for YMCA South Devon since 2008, originally in the Youth Department until she took over as CEO in 2013.

Maria is passionate about providing opportunities for the children and young people of Torbay that will raise their aspirations and improve their options in life.

In Maria’s spare time she loves spending time with her family and socialising with her friends. In her quieter moments she enjoys reading, yoga, pilates and walking.

Penny Harris - Finance Coordinator

Penny has worked for YMCA South Devon in various roles since 2014. Now part time, her main role is as Finance Coordinator.

Penny enjoys looking after her 4 grandchildren and when time allows, socialising with friends.

Kirsty Light - Nursery Manager

Kirsty has been working in Early Years for over 32 years and worked in a busy Plymouth Sure Start centre for 21 of those. Whilst there she gained her degree in Early Childhood studies and became an Early Year's professional, leading practice across the city.

She has extensive knowledge and experience supporting children with special educational needs and a passion for the Reggio Emilia approach to child-centred philosophy. She believes that children should be viewed as having unlimited potential and eager to interact with and contribute to the world.

In her spare time Kirsty enjoys spending time with her two daughters and being outside in nature.

Natalie Collins - Youth and Operations Manager

Natalie was born and raised in Paignton and is a mum to three strapping lads.

She has worked with young people for many years as a child minder, working for children’s services, a deputy safeguarding lead at a local secondary school, a safeguarding lead in a special school and now as the youth team manager at the YMCA.

In her spare time shes likes to cook, travel and read.

Tanya Alford-Howard

Tanya has lived in Devon for almost all of her life and in Torbay since 1979. During her working life she has worked in banking, housing and within the charitable sector carrying out various roles including senior management. She worked for a local Housing Association for 10 years with management responsibility for Supported Housing services, providing accommodation for people with a variety of support needs. This included young people, young parents and people subjected to Domestic Abuse.

She retired earlier in 2025 but has continued her interest in supporting charities by being a trustee and carrying out volunteering roles.

She also enjoy walking, particularly the South West Coast Path and ancient pilgrimage routes in the South West.

Rebekah Daws

Rebekah has a passion for youth empowerment and community development. Having started through the government’s Kickstart Scheme with Doorstep Arts, she went on to support young voices as a youth council member, then administrator for the Imagine This... Partnership.

Rebekah is also involved with the One Space group, a youth-led movement aiming to improve services and opportunities for 16–25 year olds in Torbay, as part of the national LocalMotion initiative.

Wendy - Chair

Wendy has run her own consultancy business for over 30 years. Working in the commercial, public and charity sectors, she supports boards and leadership teams on organisational change, driving improvement and business strategies and building teams and partnerships.

Now partly retired, she is enjoying using her skills and experience to help the YMCA achieve its ambitions. In her spare time she teaches Pilates to friends, dabbles in a bit of creative writing, works in the garden and cooks.

James - Treasurer

James is a Chartered Accountant with over 30 years experience in the both business and practice, Over the past 23 years he has run an automotive business specialising in the supply of workshop equipment and after-sales service support.

He has now working in a part-time capacity still working in business, but offering time and experience to a number of charitable organisations. Outside of work commitments, he is an active member of the local Parish Church community and enjoys gardening, travelling and socialising, coupled with the occasional trip to the gym!

Clare Talbot - Designated Safeguarding Trustee

Clare currently works for Torbay Council and is responsible for managing the Schools Capital Programme and for Strategic School Place Planning. She has been working for the Council for over 25 years, since she graduated from University.

She is originally from Cape Town, South Africa but has lived in Devon since returning to the UK in the 80's. She now lives in Paignton, has two almost grown-up children and a hyperactive spaniel. She spends her leisure time walking her dog and playing netball in the local leagues.

Patric Stapleton

Patric has enjoyed a career in people management and human resources. Having previously worked in retail management for 13 years, in 2014 Patric changed his focus to human resources management and now works as a People Partner for a local Housing Association.

He is a proud Devonian, and moved to Torbay in 2001, having previously lived in mid, and north Devon. To relax, other than family time, he enjoys the odd round of golf, DIY, reading and word games.

Rachel

Rachel has been on the board of trustees for YMCA South Devon for seven years. She is retired, has three grown up children and one grandson.

She has had a varied career working front of house in hotels in her younger years and then moved into accounts and payroll positions. More recently, after having a break to bring up her children, she has worked as a primary school teaching assistant. She also volunteered for Home Start Torbay for four years.

In her spare time she loves looking after her grandson, taking the dogs for a walk and having trips away with her husband in their camper van. She also loves sea swimming which she does at least three times a week, all year round. Yes ALL year round without a wetsuit!

Allison

Allison is a former Chartered Accountant and Business Psychologist working primarily in the marketing communications sector.

She worked with the owner managers of small to medium sized businesses helping them develop and improve profitability, man management abilities and the value of their companies.

She is now a full time contemporary artist and a member of the Teignmouth Art Society committee as well as walking her two chow chows, cooking and travelling.

David

David is a former journalist and was editor of the award winning daily newspaper, the Bath Chronicle, before he helped set up a five star hotel and private members’ club that was the Sunday Times Romantic Hotel of the Year. He then set up an ecommerce company, the first on the web to specialise in men’s bags.

He is now Marketing and Communications Lead for Torbay Communities (formerly the Torbay Community Development Trust) and spends his spare time being walked by his dogs, paddle boarding, kayaking, cycling and working out in the gym.