YMCA looks for way to secure its future
About 50 people employed at YMCAs across Northamptonshire have been warned they could lose their jobs, unless the charity finds a way to fill the gap left by county hall's withdrawal of funding.
Since 2003, the Northamptonshire branch of the Christian charity was contracted by Supporting People and Northamptonshire County Council, to provide support and housing solutions for thousands of people aged between 16 to 25 in Northampton and Kettering.
But in July, the county council announced plans to withdraw funding and to instead put young people into "ordinary housing".
In a letter dated August 6, Peter Storey, chief executive of Northamptonshire YMCA, warned its workers - which include 44 permanent staff and 13 casual workers - that a consultation will take place regarding their jobs. He wrote: "It is my sad duty, therefore to inform you that every role within the Association is at risk of redundancy."
However, Mr Storey told the Chron the charity had not given up hope that alternative funding options could still be found.
He said: "We very much see the consultation as a way for staff to get involved with putting forward ideas on saving the YMCA.
"There is a risk of redundancy but there is also hope and we want to explore ways of adjusting so we can continue to help vulnerable young people in some way.
"We are also in discussions with a number of organisations about how we can get funds or work on their behalf. As far as Supporting People is concerned they have withdrawn their support and that has changed the way we will be able to help young people in the future but I hope the YMCA can continue and we are not looking to close."
One staff member who has worked for the organisation for over a decade said: "Most people have worked here for around 10 years at least. It is more than a job to a lot of people and I think most people want to still keep working with young people. I think everybody still has some hope but they are preparing for the worst."
A spokesperson for Northamptonshire County Council said: "The YMCA have been contracted by the county council to deliver supported housing for young people in Northampton and Kettering, the majority of which has been hostel-based with shared kitchen, bathroom and living facilities. A significant proportion of the costs of the service have been spent on running the hostels, including building management and security costs.
"However, we are moving towards a new model of supported housing which will see young people living in ordinary housing and therefore are ending the contract. This will allow funding to be spent on supporting the young people rather than continuing to maintain the high overhead costs of the hostel provision."
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