Two thirds of youth organisations report increase in demand
Joe Lepper
Wednesday, February 24, 2021
Two thirds of youth services have seen an increase in demand for support for young people during the Covid-19 pandemic amid huge funding cuts, a survey has revealed.
A survey of more than 1,700 youth organisations by UK Youth found that 66 per cent have seen a rise in demand for their services, while the majority (83 per cent) have seen their income fall.
More than half (57 per cent) of those surveyed said that the cost of delivering support to young people had increased since the start of the pandemic.
Supporting the mental health and emotional wellbeing of young people is among areas to see a surge in demand.
“However, in many cases, youth organisations are simply unable to meet the substantial demand for their services,” said the charity.
The rising costs and demands amid the pandemic “has hit youth organisations in the shadow of 10 years of extreme cuts”, adds UK Youth chief executive Ndidi Okezie.
“The impact of the pandemic has had a devastating effect on young people and the safe spaces that support millions of them,” she said.
“Many organisations across the youth sector have shown great resilience, trying to adapt and deliver vital services for young people but they still need help.”
Preliminary data from the research also published by the charity found that almost two thirds (64 per cent) of youth organisations are at risk of closure within the next 12 months.
The charity says that the collective funding needed from all youth organisations surveyed is more than £52m.
UK Youth has already handed out around £2m to more than 100 youth organisations to help them deliver support during the pandemic, through its Covid Relief fund. More than 1,000 youth organisations applied.
Among those supported is Kid’s Cookery School. Its chief executive Fiona Hamilton-Fairley said that without the grant it received “we would not be able to offer our services to so many different communities”.
Today UK Youth published a report showing the true scale of the substantial increase in demand for services against the rapid decrease in funding, showing why #youthservices are #nevermoreneeded 👇
— UK Youth (@UKYouth) February 24, 2021
📘Read the executive summary here: https://t.co/ngUSdhlN6R pic.twitter.com/Xjo3NywXmm
Being called for by UK Youth is sustainable financial support for youth services. Covering operational costs, recruitment and training as well as adapting services, particularly investment in digital support.
It’s research concludes: “Youth organisations have strived to adapt to a new way of supporting young people, but efforts have been stunted by a lack of funding.
“Furthermore, a reduction in income and increases in costs have depleted the financial resilience of many youth organisations. This has left them in a precarious position, with almost two-thirds at risk of closure in the next year.
“A loss of youth services on this scale could have a devastating impact on young people. The sector consequently requires urgent support to continue their vital services.