YMCA research highlights that the benefits system is preventing some young people from gaining employment

Benefits are too low to live on, especially for young people under the age of 25, suggests YMCA, a leading youth organisation supporting young people and adults. The charity has released a comprehensive research report shedding light on the challenges faced by individuals living in supported housing when trying to enter the workforce. The study,…

MPs call for government action to prepare young people for future employment amidst increasing AI advancements and the race to net zero before it’s too late

An inquiry by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Youth Affairs revealed that one-third (34%) of young people are concerned that roles they are interested in will be replaced by advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI). Faced with this uncertain landscape, four in 10 young people said they feel worried about the future of work, and…

YMCA and Cadent join forces to support young people and communities to combat fuel poverty and isolation

YMCA, a national charity committed to supporting young people in their time of need, is thrilled to announce a ground-breaking new partnership with Cadent, the UK’s largest gas distribution network. As part of its commitment to tackling fuel poverty and supporting the most vulnerable, Cadent has funded a new ‘Safe and Well Communities Project’, which…

Fourth generation family business Vestey Holdings becomes YMCA’s first Corporate Roomsponsor Partner

YMCA England & Wales and Vestey Holdings have launched a transformative long-term partnership to inspire future generations. The partnership will ensure young people have a safe place to call home and a platform for their voices to be heard, giving them a chance to discover who they are and what they can become. The COVID-19…

YMCA response to the Chancellor’s Spring Budget 2023

Responding to the Chancellor’s Budget announcement earlier today, Denise Hatton, Chief Executive of YMCA England & Wales, said: “YMCA broadly welcomes elements of the Chancellor’s announcements today – in particular, responding to calls to support parents struggling with high childcare costs and early years providers that are struggling to keep their doors open. “We welcome…

YMCA calls for a strategic vision for young people as youth service spending revealed as significantly less per child in England than in Wales.

YMCA’s latest study into expenditure on youth services highlights a stark disparity in per-head spending between Wales and England. Analysis released today shows that children and young people in Wales receive more than double the real-terms spend per-head than those in England, at £91 compared to £45 respectively. The 2010s saw drastic cuts to local…

YMCA warns latest Early Years National Funding Formula and continued underfunding puts settings and family support at risk

A report released today by YMCA revealed that the Early Years Funding Formula (EYNFF)* 2023/24 falls far short of the support needed for providers to deliver the Government’s free childcare scheme, as inflation and National Living Wage effectively outstrip any increase across England.   YMCA found that the funding rate for three and four-year-old early…

YMCA Barnsley and Chilypep are delighted to announce that they will receive funding as part of Barnsley’s successful bid to the Government’s Levelling-Up Fund.

The Barnsley Futures bid has been awarded £10.2m, which will work towards helping transform young people’s cultural and wellbeing facilities in Barnsley. Andrea Battye, Youth Work Manager at YMCA Barnsley, said, “The planned redevelopment of YMCA’s building in the heart of Barnsley will enable YMCA and Chilypep to continue to provide a safe, welcoming and…