YMCA England & Wales is calling on the Government to prioritise young people and reinvest in youth services.

Youth services exist to provide a sense of belonging, a safe space, and the opportunity for some of the most vulnerable young people, to enjoy being young.  But sadly, young people have suffered as a direct result of funding cuts across England and Wales. Since 2010/11, youth services such as youth clubs and youth workers have been cut by 69%. More than 4,500 youth work jobs have been cut and 750 youth centres closed.

We believe this is unacceptable.

We are calling on the Government to prioritise young people and reinvest in youth services by meeting the following 3 tests: ​

  1. Reinstate and ring-fence youth services funding to 2010/11 level
  2. Provide universal youth services and targeted support for all young people
  3. Create a national youth service strategy

 

This is vital so that services for young people don’t become a thing of the past.