Impact of funding cuts

CYP Now has published the results of a survey into the impact of funding changes on organisations running youth projects.

The online survey received responses from 110 professionals across the youth sector, representing services working with more than 300,000 young people in England and Wales.

Key findings from the survey include:

• 56.2% of respondents reported a fall in income between 2012-2013
• 33.6% replied yes when asked if it was possible their youth project would close in the next year
• Organisations at risk of closure include a South East project working with 10,000 young people, 11 projects that work with more than 1,000 young people are under threat, plus 21 that work with less than 1,000
• London has the highest number of at risk projects (7)
• 69.6% of organisations have reduced spending on new equipment and 72% of services have cut back on staff levels. A further 60.9% have cut back on trips and off sight visits
• One in three services have reduced open access youth work and 28.35% have wound down their targeted work
• Youth services have been looking for new ways to develop new sources of income with 71.9% increasing their focus on fundraising and 65.2% sharing resources with partner organisation
• 34.8% of youth services have either introduced or increased charges for the young people who use their services and 21.3% have secured support from the private sector
• 65% have been unable to secure enough alternative income to cover the funding fall they have experienced.

For further information visit www.cypnow.co.uk/cyp/analysis/1076920/youth-sector-knife-edge-organisations-risk.