National Youth Agency Faces Challenging Financial Environment Head On

These are extraordinary times with unprecedented challenges for the youth sector as a whole and charities in particular. With future funding at best uncertain and at worst hugely squeezed, governing bodies are having to make very hard judgements about how to protect the charitable aims of their organisation going forward.

The National Youth Agency’s Board of Trustees met on 16^th September to consider how best to secure the organisation’s future.

In common with others, NYA has felt the impact of the economic downturn and the wider uncertainty that exists.  It has decided to act quickly to mitigate risks and ensure it retains capacity to champion and support young people and the youth work sector.  Sadly these actions mean job losses.

Fiona Blacke, NYA’s Chief Executive, said “We have to make some hard choices but we’re determined to continue supporting the delivery of quality services for young people and advocating for their voice and influence. The changes come with a high human cost, as do all job losses, but we are managing them in ways that will enable us to continue to meet our commitments to funders and stakeholders.  A priority in our new configuration is to make sure we retain the skills and experience to deliver.

“We know that the sector as a whole is under huge pressure.  We’re fortunate to have had strong messages of support from funders and we believe that by making changes now it will put us in a stronger position in the year ahead.”