The UK Shared Prosperity Fund has been slashed from £25m to £9.2m, a £16m reduction to the community & voluntary sector in Northern Ireland.
Our sector is a critical cog, backbone, lifeblood in the lives of young people and communities, especially those furthest from the labour market. We are not just added value but the backbone in addressing poverty, nurturing pathways to employment, education and training. This UKSPF outcome will result in job losses, vital services at risk and service closures.
For the 7 YouthStart partners, this means funding reduced from £3m to just £1.08m.
YouthStart has supported 1500+ young people per year; young people facing complex and challenging life circumstances such as addiction,homelessness, family breakdown, isolation, loneliness, domestic abuse, severe mental health and debt issues. As a result of our intervention young people’s lives are changed; they are saved. Young people can better compete and have a fair and equal chance for a job or self-employment.
📢 We need your support to ensure young people continue to have the opportunity to have a brighter future.
Find out more about our Life and Work Skills programmes here: Life and Work Skills
Please contact rachel@youthaction.org if you think you can support.
