YMCA Identifies Key Barriers Preventing Build of Crucial Affordable Housing and Calls for Change.

A new report published today by YMCA highlights how organisations that aim to provide affordable housing are facing many challenges in their efforts to relieve the ongoing housing crisis. The report highlights the inadequacies of funding models, particularly in regard to the accessibility and flexibility of grants provided by Homes England. These inadequacies tend to…

YMCA response to the Chancellor’s Spring Budget 2024

Denise Hatton, Chief Executive, YMCA England & Wales, said: “In response to the Chancellor’s budget, the commitment to protecting nurseries and preschools from rising costs through guaranteed future funding is welcomed. However, there are areas where the budget could have done more to support early years education, particularly for 3—and 4-year-olds, and targeted investment in…

YMCA Issues Urgent Plea Ahead of General Election: Safeguard Youth Services Before It’s Too Late

YMCA’s latest report, sponsored by Vestey Holdings, reveals yet another opportunity missed for significant reinvestment in youth services. In the face of a marginal 3% real-terms funding increase, the sector remains stagnant with overall cuts of 70% in England and Wales since 2010-11, marking a total loss of £1.1bn. During a critical election year, YMCA…

Now’s Our Chance: YMCA Releases Manifesto for Young People Ahead of General Election

As the UK prepares for the next General Election, YMCA has today launched a bold plan to urge political parties and leaders to seize the opportunity to create positive change for young people. Using the timely call to action of “Now’s Our Chance,” YMCA emphasises the critical need for comprehensive and targeted policies to address…

Government’s Ambitious Childcare Expansion Is Currently Far From Reach And Urgent Action Is Needed, Warns YMCA

YMCA, the largest voluntary childcare provider in the country, estimates a 13.2% increase in qualified staff (45,000) is needed by September 2025 to accommodate the expanded 30 funded hours.   YMCA projection is a conservative estimate, based on the Department for Education’s predictions of new funded hours taken up, hinging on 2023 workforce levels remaining…

Meet Y’s Girls Project Coordinator – Laura!

#YouthWorkWeek may be over, but the much needed spotlight on youth work lives on! We’d like to introduce you to Laura, an incredible Project Coordinator at YMCA Bradford for Y’s Girls Mentoring Programme funded by Benefact Trust. This invaluable project is empowering young people by embedding a trusted support system for girls aged 9-14 experiencing difficulties,…

The Power of Youth: Could the Next General Election be the Turning Point?

A new report released by YMCA today shows that some 86% of young people under the age of 25 intend to vote in the forthcoming General Election. The survey of 1,054 young people highlighted that their key concerns are housing, jobs, health and inflation.   Mobilising young voters could prove decisive for parties in key…