A youth charity established in 1970 has announced plans to close and reported difficulties “transitioning to a new environment” following a merger three years ago.
In April 2022, the Centre for Youth Impact merged into YMCA George Williams College, a member of the national YMCA England and Wales federation.
Today, the trustees of YMCA George Williams College said the charity’s operations would cease from 31 March after they had faced “persistent challenges” since the merger.
Financial data filed with the Charity Commission shows that YMCA George Williams College has recorded a deficit every year since July 2020, with its total income standing at £1.46m last year, against total expenditure of £1.92m.
According to the commission’s website, it employed 24 members of staff.
No sustainable future
In a statement, YMCA George Williams College’s trustees said the charity had “worked diligently to define our role within both the youth sector and the wider YMCA movement” since the 2022 merger.
“Our aim was to build on the rich legacies of both institutions while identifying new opportunities to support and empower our partners across the youth sector,” the statement reads.
“Despite these efforts, we’ve faced persistent challenges in transitioning to a new environment.
“Over the past few years, the college has implemented a range of measures intended to create a stable and sustainable future.
“Despite the support of our partners, the measures undertaken, and the good work completed, we’ve reached the conclusion that we don’t face a sustainable future.”
The trustees added that “the external environment remains challenging” and they are “very conscious that we aren’t the only infrastructure organisation in our sector to formally close our operations”.
‘Enormous challenges’ facing youth charities
In a statement, UK Youth’s interim chief executive Vicky Browning said YMCA George Williams College “played a vital role in strengthening the youth sector for decades”.
“This is just another stark reminder of the enormous challenges facing our sector,” she said.
“After more than a decade of drastic funding cuts, we’ve lost more than half of youth clubs across the country, as well as major organisations including the British Youth Council, Children England, NCS Trust, and now YMCA George Williams College.
Browning added that the “continued erosion of support structures for youth work and youth voice is deeply troubling”, at a time when young people face “increasingly difficult challenges”.
She urged the government to reverse this trend, notably with its upcoming National Youth Strategy, and offer “the long-term vision and funding the sector needs to thrive”.
“We stand in solidarity with everyone affected by this closure and reaffirm our commitment to fighting for a youth sector that is sustainable, high-quality, and empowered to create lasting change.”
Russell Brand’s charity closes
Meanwhile, the commission has confirmed that the Stay Free Foundation, a charity chaired by English comedian and actor Russell Brand, recently closed.
A spokesperson for the regulator told Civil Society that the charity was removed from its register after being wound up.
In 2023, the commission opened a regulatory compliance case into the charity, which worked with people struggling with addiction and mental health issues.
It followed allegations of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse made against Brand in a joint investigation by the Times, Sunday Times and Channel 4 Dispatches.
Last September, the Stay Free Foundation notified the commission that it had stopped operating and should be removed from its register.
The charity was subsequently removed from the register on 10 January 2025.
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