Meet The Team
We create a safe, supportive environment where young people can thrive.
Click to view the team profiles.
Maria Goodwin
CEO
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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.
Natalie Collins
Youth and Operations Manager
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Natalie Collins
Youth and Operations Manager
Having lived in Paignton all her life, Natalie has a strong connection to the local community and has worked with children and young people for over 15 years. As Youth and Operations Manager, she is passionate about supporting young people who may struggle within mainstream education, creating safe and inspiring spaces where they feel valued, listened to and able to thrive.
Natalie cares deeply about the community that young people are growing up in and is committed to helping create positive opportunities that build confidence, skills and aspirations for the future. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her three sons, family and friends, and her pup Stanley
John Currie
Community Development & Fundraising Lead
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John Currie
Community Development & Fundraising Lead
John is the Community Development and Fundraising Lead at YMCA South Devon, where he is passionate about raising awareness of the charity and the wide range of services it provides to children, young people and families.
John enjoys building relationships with local businesses, organisations and the wider community, creating opportunities for people to get involved and support the work of YMCA South Devon. For him, fundraising is about more than raising money – it is about creating awareness, building connections and helping to ensure the charity can continue and develop the services it provides.
Away from work, John is a keen sports fan, enjoying running, coaching rugby and watching live sport. He is also a big fan of live music and concerts and enjoys paddleboarding, particularly making the most of being out on the water and enjoying the Torbay & South Devon outdoors.
Adele Smith
Nursery Manager
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Adele Smith
Nursery Manager
Adele has recently relocated back to Torbay and is very happy to be living back where she grew up and be near her extended family again. She has two adult children and both herself and her husband are very much looking forward to welcoming their first grandchild into the world very soon!
She has worked in Early Years sector for over 25 years and was previously part of the management team in large children’s centre in Norfolk. Whilst there she gained a foundation degree in Early Years, Playwork and Education and lead a 40 strong team of practitioners in caring for children 6 months to 12 years in an In her spare time, she likes to spend time with her family, get out in nature and walk the Southwest Coast Path, she practices yoga, attends a book group and attempts to cook plant-based food with mixed reviews!
James Davenport
Treasurer
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James Davenport
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!
Patric Stapleton
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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.
Clare Talbot
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Clare Talbot
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.
Allison McSparron-Edwards
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Allison McSparron-Edwards
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 Gledhill
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David Gledhill
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.
Tanya Alford-Howard
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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
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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.
Katie Chivers
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Katie Chivers
Katie has worked with and alongside children and young people since she was 15. Now she works locally and nationally on systems to change initiatives.
She is a qualified youth worker and makes a lovely latte. In her spare time, she loves to take some books and grab a cup of coffee with her daughter.
Terry Murch
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