Youth charities 'running on empty' amid pandemic, National Youth Agency warns
Joe Lepper
Thursday, November 12, 2020
The National Youth Agency (NYA) is calling for urgent funding for youth services facing closure this winter.
Many charity run youth services across the country are “running on empty”, according to the youth sector body. This is leaving many facing closure, as they tackle income losses amid the Covid-19 pandemic as well as funding cuts.
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One in four youth charities will not be able to meet their running costs in the run up to Christmas and three quarters will have depleted their reserves, according to a Centre for Youth Impact survey of 85 youth groups between July and September, cited by the NYA.
This survey also found that two thirds of youth charities will not be able to meet their costs by March 2021 and half will not be able to meet operational costs within the next 12 months.
While schools, some charities and employment initiatives have received extra funding, “delayed government funding for the youth sector has left many charities running on empty with depleted reserves and income slashed by half or more”, said the NYA.
It wants the government to make funding available to “mobilise and deploy” youth workers throughout winter, including during national lockdown and regional tier measures.
Early release of training funding should be prioritised and investment for youth services should be ring fenced, it adds. In addition, children and young people need to be involved in decision making around youth services support amid the pandemic.
According to the NYA, for every £16 that has been cut from local services budgets, £1 has impacted on youth services. Lack of funding has already forced many to cut jobs, it adds.
In October UK Youth announced 14 redundancies at its Avon Tyrrell activity centre to avoid the site’s permanent closure.
Meanwhile, the Scouts this month announced plans to cut 100 posts, which is around 30 per cent of its workforce, as well as sell off buildings to meet Covid-19 losses.
Our trustees have agreed a decisive plan of action to stabilise our finances. Using cost savings, assets and fundraising we'll support Scout groups most affected by the pandemic, help young people gain skills, and safeguard our future. Find out more: https://t.co/SeMJt1SRRe (1/2) pic.twitter.com/l5xRAwEzOQ
— The Scouts (@UKScouting) November 5, 2020
The NYA says that seven out of ten youth charities have had to cut back on roles and a third are set to make redundancies this year. Furthermore, three quarters have had to shed volunteer roles.
“Youth work transforms young people’s lives. Never has this been more important than in response to increased needs from the pandemic and the challenges of the global recession,” said Leigh Middleton, NYA chief executive.
“We need urgent funding for frontline youth services and additional funding for youth charities to secure their capacity to support young people into the new year. By not taking immediate action, we risk a lost year for our young people, for which we all will pay the price.”
Research released by the NYA in July estimates that one million young people “went off the radar” of youth services due to the first national lockdown that saw youth clubs close and services move online. This was based on a survey of 177 youth organisations.