The Y South & Mid Canterbury today announced the organisation is changing its name to “The Y Central South Island” effective immediately.

The change was approved at the not-for-profit organisation’s recent AGM. It was prompted by expanding operations in Christchurch, Ashburton, Timaru and Oamaru and acknowledges that the previous name no longer accurately described the Y’s geographic area of service delivery and thus was no longer “fit for purpose.”

“Over the last several years our Y has expanded its education programme delivery into both Christchurch and Oamaru, and also our Y•Drive Driving School operations into Ashburton and Oamaru, “ said Keith Shaw, Y Central South Island Chief Executive Officer.

“We’re also increasing our youth development and whānau support programme delivery across the motu to towns like Methven, Mayfield, Hinds, Twizel, Temuka, Waimate and Oamaru, so our new name is much more descriptive of where our mahi takes place.”

The Y has deep roots in the region, having been established in Timaru in 1917, then Ashburton in 1993. It took over Youth Guarantee education programme delivery in 2017 from the former YMCA Christchurch, and commenced education delivery in Oamaru in 2022.

The Y also rebranded from the well-known “YMCA” several years ago to better reflect its programmes and services are open to all, regardless of ability, age, culture, ethnicity, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic background.

The organisation employs 42 staff and had income of $3.7 million for its recent 2023-24 financial year.