CEO Blog - From Pressure to Progress: 7 Years In

Some roles ease you in. This wasn’t one of them.

Some journeys start with a clear plan. This didn’t.

And sometimes, the hardest years are the ones you learn the most from

When I stepped into my role at YMCA Bellshill & Mossend seven years ago, the early days were full on. There was a lot to deal with. Big decisions, real pressure, and very little time to find your feet.

Those first few years tested me.

There were moments where it felt like everything needed attention at once. Funding uncertainty, operational challenges, making sure services kept running, and trying to build something stronger at the same time. It was demanding, and at times, relentless.

But what those years taught me has stayed with me.

I learned quickly that leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about making the best decision you can with what you have in front of you. It’s about staying focused when things feel uncertain, and keeping people at the centre of every decision.

I also learned the importance of backing yourself. There were times when it would have been easier to step back or play it safe. But real progress came from facing it head on, thinking differently, and being prepared to take a risk when it mattered.

Over time, things began to move forward.

We moved from reacting to planning. From short-term fixes to longer-term thinking. We became clearer about who we are and what we are here to do.

Today, we are in a stronger place. We’ve built services that people rely on. We’ve created opportunities for young people, supported families, and developed a model that is more sustainable. We are thinking like a social enterprise, not just a charity, and that change has opened new doors for growth.

What I’m most proud of isn’t just what we’ve achieved, but how we’ve done it. With a team that has stayed with us, trusted what we’re building, and kept going even when things have been tough. Low staff turnover doesn’t happen by chance. With partners who believe in what we’re trying to achieve. And with a community that continues to trust us.

Seven years in, I don’t see this as a milestone to stand still. It feels more like a checkpoint.

There is still more to do. More people to reach. More ways to strengthen what we offer. And more opportunities to think differently about how community organisations can grow and sustain themselves.

If the first few years were about getting through, the next chapter is about building something stronger.

Now it’s about growing, strengthening, and making bigger impact.