The first YMCA was established in 1844 in London by George Williams. In 1881, the British YMCA Movement shifted towards personal health and fitness. However, in 1914, as the First World War unfolded across Western Europe, activities were aimed to support the troops such as providing food, drink, and free writing paper and envelopes. After the Second World War, YMCA George Williams College was established in London in 1970, providing training programmes for professional youth workers. Today, the college is still active in information education. In 2016, YMCA Wales joined YMCA England to form YMCA England and Wales. Today, there are 116 YMCAs delivering services to nearly 740 communities, supporting 630,000 people each year across the region.