A Margate-based charity supporting young people with complex support needs is facing closure after struggling to secure funding in light of public spending cuts and increased competition for grants.
Arts Education Exchange said that over the past year, it has been rejected for more than £800,000 worth of funding, “putting its vital programmes at risk”.
The charity launched a crowdfunding campaign on Spacehive, aiming to raise £32,000 for rent and utilities for two years, which would allow it to focus on securing funding for staff salaries and programme costs.
It said: “For our young people, we’re a lifeline and our service is more in demand than ever. However, we’ve been unable to meet our fundraising target for 2025 and now we’re at risk of closure.”
At the time of writing, Arts Education Exchange had raised £7,000 via Spacehive.
‘Current funding landscape threatens the continuity of these vital services’
Arts Education Exchange works with young people aged 11-25 from Thanet who face huge life challenges.
The charity uses an “innovative approach” that combines creative arts education with therapeutic care and advocacy to help participants progress socially, emotionally and academically.
“This relational model has proven effective in catalysing social change and empowering young people to imagine and create the lives they want to live,” it said.
“However, the current funding landscape threatens the continuity of these vital services.
“Arts Education Exchange will sadly have to let go of four valued team members, and now faces further downsizing unless additional funding is secured.”
A spokesperson for Arts Education Exchange told Civil Society that it currently has 10 staff members and that at the end of the year, five will leave the charity.
‘We’re fighting to keep our doors open to those who need us most’
Ollie Briggs, chief executive of Arts Education Exchange, said: “We’ve built an essential service for young people in the area, and we’re fighting to keep our doors open to those who need us most.
“We provide young people with wrap-around support in a safe, consistent environment where they can develop reliable and trusting relationships.
“We’re committed to our purpose of reconnecting young people with their creative potential, and fighting back against brutal cuts to public services.
“But we need urgent support to continue this critical work.”
Data filed with the Charity Commission shows that income at the Arts Education Exchange more than doubled between 2019-20 and 2022-23, from £155,475 to £365,046.
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