We all know the song. We all know the dance moves. Most of us drive past the ten-storey monolith in Watford town centre on a daily basis.

However, much of what goes on inside the YMCA will be a mystery to the vast majority of Watford residents.

For a start, contrary to what the American Indian, the builder and their mates suggested in the 70s disco anthem, the YMCA is not simply a hostel and it does not just cater for men.

It is, in fact, a remarkable charity with an annual budget in excess of £4.5m, which runs a host of youth services, three health clubs, a café, a nursery and two children's centres.

The YMCA has been in Watford for 122 years. Initially in Clarendon Road, the charity moved into its current, highly visible home in 1978, the year before the release of the Village People's camp classic.

Today, inside those four very tall and very grisly walls, much of the day-to-day work of the YMCA's 200-strong staff is spent keeping the charity's 150-bed hostel running.

Open to anyone, male or female, between the age of 18 and 59, the hostel offers a accommodation as well as advice and counselling to those who take residency.

“When they come in they have a needs assessment and a risk assessment”, Sue Kiddell, head of housing, says. Everybody who takes up residency is also police checked.

Sue adds: “They could have alcohol problems and then we would draw up a contract to work with HertsReach so they will provide counselling and mentoring.

“It could be that they just need IT training to get a job so we would bring in training for them.

“We help them with their benefits, to make sure they are getting everything they are entitled to, so it could be anything really.”

Most residents stay for two years. One gentleman, however, remained a resident for 35 years before passing away. One woman, who has never been a resident, uses the café everyday without fail.

One task facing staff is to get people to socialise once again.

Some residents come in after a period of sleeping rough and are unable to sleep in a bed. Others, having lived on the fringes of society for so long, cannot communicate with people or perform simple tasks such as buying a loaf of bread.

However, it is not just alcoholics, drug users and victims of broken families who end up in the YMCA.

“We had a doctor who was unable to finish his finals”, Sue added.

“He came here, found his feet and then was able to finish his studies and now works at Watford General.

“People think it is some sort of sub-class here.

“I think what they don't realise is it could be anyone's son or daughter here. It might be a small family tiff, a child walks out and then all of a sudden there aren't many options.”

Every room in the hostel is currently being refurbished with new cupboards, wardrobes and beds, while the clean and modern furnishings around the social areas belie the unsightly appearance the building's exterior gives.

The café, meanwhile, is open to anyone and serves up teas, coffees and hearty lunches, while squash courts and a fully-functioning gym serve many of the town's fitness addicts.

However, the YMCA's work spreads far beyond its hub inside the ring road.

The centre runs a 94-place nursery in Abbots Langley as well as two children's centres, at Beechfield School, in Gammons Lane, and Littlebury, in West Watford and sports centres in Watford, St Albans and Abbots Langley.

One of the YMCA's big expenditures is on youth services, which are run across south west Hertfordshire in conjunction with a range of other organisations.

Director of operations, Ruth Ellis, added: “We just believe that if we start working with young people we can support them and help them make the right decisions.”

One thing, however, they cannot do, is make the unflattering exterior look much brighter.

Painting the building was considered several years ago, but the upkeep of having scaffolding brought in to continually repaint it proved too pricey for the charity.

“Inside it is warm and it clean and it is welcoming”, Ruth added.

“And if people don't know what it is we do they can come in and have a look for themselves.

“I want people to know we are not just a tall building in Watford.”