CYCA marks the end of an era as Tracy Pike MBE retires after 29 years
CYCA is marking the end of an era as Tracy Pike MBE retires after 29 years of dedicated service to the charity, children, young people and families across Carmarthenshire and beyond.
Tracy joined CYCA in 1997 as Learning Clubs Manager, before becoming CEO in 2001. Since then, she has played a central role in shaping the charity from a small local play centre into a respected wellbeing organisation, known for its trauma-informed, whole-family support and commitment to helping children and families feel safer, stronger and more supported.
Having been in discussions about retirement for several months, Tracy felt that now was the right time to step into this next chapter, allowing her to focus on personal and family commitments while leaving CYCA with strong foundations for the future.
Her retirement marks a moment of huge gratitude and reflection for CYCA. Over almost three decades, Tracy’s leadership, values and belief in the potential of every child have helped shape the organisation’s services, its team and its reputation.
During her career, Tracy has brought together experience in education, pastoral care, stress management, social prescribing and family support. Before joining CYCA, she worked as a senior teacher with responsibility for pastoral care and later established her own stress management company, delivering training across health boards, schools and statutory agencies.
She also set up the first Stress Management on Prescription project for Hywel Dda Health Board, an early example of her commitment to finding practical, community-based ways to support emotional health and wellbeing.
At CYCA, that commitment continued through the development of services designed around children and families, not just systems. One of Tracy’s lasting legacies is the development of CYCA’s social prescribing model and its impact on child mental health. This work has helped hundreds of children and families access support earlier, while strengthening CYCA’s reputation as an organisation willing to innovate, collaborate and respond to real community need.
Tracy’s leadership has also been defined by her belief in developing people. Throughout her time at CYCA, she has supported staff to grow, take on new opportunities and develop skills that can be passed on to future generations. This commitment to learning, mentoring and shared knowledge has helped create a team with deep experience, strong values and a shared commitment to children and families.
In 2018, Tracy received an MBE for 40 years of service to children and families, recognising a career shaped by dedication, compassion and long-term impact.
Speaking on behalf of CYCA’s Trustees, past and present, the charity said:
“Your legacy of keeping children safe will live on in this charity for generations. Because of your dedication and compassion, thousands of children and families have received support, protection and hope.
“You have been a constant source of strength, wisdom and care, and the impact of your work is woven into every part of who we are as an organisation.
“On behalf of all Trustees, past and present, and the entire CYCA team, thank you. Thank you for every hour, every decision, every safeguarding action, every moment of care and every young life you helped change.”
As CYCA looks ahead to its next chapter, Tracy leaves behind strong foundations, a skilled and committed team, and a legacy rooted in care, safeguarding, opportunity and belief in the children and families CYCA exists to support.
Her contribution will continue to shape the charity for many years to come.