17 January 2025

The discovery of RAAC at YMCA Woolwich’s purpose-built Woolwich Youth Zone resulted both in the closure of the youth club as well as its rentable community spaces, which provided an important source of income for the clubs. On top of an increased demand for the grants that are available to charities, and a reduction in public spending, whilst the club continues to operate from a temporary space, sadly closure has become stark reality.

YMCA youth clubs have served the local community since the late 1960s and are as vital today as they were when they opened 56 years ago. Around 120 local young people access this service every year. Many are from low income households where opportunities outside of school are often unavailable due to cost. The club also supports young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

Today, youth workers use a trauma-informed approach – providing safe, supportive and empowering spaces and activities where young people can have fun, develop new skills and thrive. All activities are free – something the charity believes is vital to enable access for the poorest families – and are varied, designed to develop foundational, transferable skills and knowledge. Activities includes indoor and outdoor sports, cooking, arts and crafts, health and wellbeing activities, interactive games/team work, music recording workshops and one-to-one mentoring. The club also provides free off-site activities and programmes during the school holidays.

The charity has launched its first Crowdfunder and is appealing to the community to help raise £6,600 to keep services running for the next two months. This will give the charity time to look for alternative funding.

Steve Brightwell, the charity’s Executive Director of Operations, said “Our youth services are a lifeline for families living in Woolwich, an area where young people are at high risk of falling out of school and into anti-social behaviour, gangs and crime. Demand is greater than ever and we need to see an increase in youth services, rather than cuts and lack of funding.

“Whilst we are incredibly grateful to the Clockhouse Community Centre for allowing us to use their space, we need to find a long-term solution or face closure.

“We’re urging the local community to support our appeal with a donation. The cost of a takeaway coffee for example, would make a huge difference to us. It will give hope to our young people and give us vital time to seek the capital funding needed to resource this service.”

To make a donation or find out from the young people themselves about the difference the club can make, visit https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-keep-ymca-woolwich-youth-open