£8m Youth Centre Recovery Fund launched

The fund has been launched by charitable foundation the Julia and Hans Rausing Trust to ensure youth centres can continue delivering services amid the health crisis and as lockdown eases.

• Analysis: Youth policy and funding review

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Priority in the application process is being given to charities that are at risk of being unable to reopen centres, may have to cut provision or face the prospect of permanent closure by the autumn.

Applications for the Youth Recovery Fund launched this week and close at 4pm on 31 March. The fund is open to registered charities that run youth centres in England.

The loss of income for the youth sector from Covid-19 restrictions is a key factor in the launch of the fund by the charitable foundation set up by the philanthropist couple, which has so far donated more than £250m to charitable causes.

In February it emerged that two thirds of youth organisations are facing rising demand despite cuts to their income. The UK Youth survey found that 83 per cent of charities in the sector have seen their income dip.

Meanwhile, a report by the National Youth Agency published in November last year found that two out of three youth organisations believe they will not be able to meet costs by the end of the current financial year.

📢 Announcing the launch of the Youth Centre Recovery Fund! £8m is available to #charities who offer safe spaces and invaluable services to their local #youngpeople Find out more: https://t.co/EdUuuBHZHs #FundingAlert #funding #youth #HereForYouthCentres https://t.co/VDICfFBdXP

— Julia & Hans Rausing Trust (@JHRTrust) March 15, 2021

“We know youth centres perform a vital role in the community, providing the support and opportunities to transform people’s lives,” said Julia and Hans Rausing.

“Many are facing the prospect of further cuts and potential closure at a time when young people have been left vulnerable due to the pandemic.

“We hope that the Youth Centre Recovery Fund will go some way towards supporting these important institutions to the benefit of the next generation.”  

This is the second investment by the Rausings’ charitable trust for the youth sector this year.

Earlier this month it announced £2.5m in donations to youth related charities. This included funding for Greenhouse Sports, which uses sport to engage young people, and the Prince’s Trust Women Supporting Women Initiative.