2023 Free

Central YMCA Impact Report 2022–2023

Central YMCA is a national charity delivering education, training and health and wellbeing services, founded in 1844. In 2022–23 it awarded 8,916 qualifications through YMCA Awards, supported 6,680 gym members and 940 older adults through its London health and wellbeing facilities, and delivered apprenticeships with 180+ employers. 73% of its Study Programme learners were NEET on entry, with 81% achieving their qualification. Its Positive Health programme supported 193 people living with HIV, and inclusion programmes targeted BAME women and girls in Camden. The charity entered the first year of a three-year business transformation programme to secure financial sustainability.

Report snapshot
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About

Nationwide apprenticeships across 180+ employers; study programmes and traineeships for young people; funded adult learning; YMCAfit commercial fitness training; YMCA Awards qualification and end-point assessment organisation; YMCA Club community gym and health and wellbeing provision in central London; Positive Health programme for people living with HIV; community inclusion programmes including Girls MOVE and free Pilates for BAME women Custom geography from upload: England, UK (London-based with national reach)

Key Metrics

Key Metric 1 8,916 qualifications awarded through YMCA Awards; 10,000+ qualifications presented across all provision
Key Metric 2 6,680 gym members at YMCA Club throughout the year; 940 older adults supported through health and wellbeing services
Key Metric 3 73% of Study Programme learners aged 16–18 identified as NEET on entry; 81% of NEET learners achieved their main qualification

Key Outcomes

  • 97% of apprentices agreed the curriculum developed knowledge, skills and behaviours that help them perform in their job role
  • 93% of learners with an Education, Health and Care Plan achieved their programme of study
  • Girls MOVE programme delivered 20% improvement in mental wellbeing scores and 28.57% improvement in physical activity scores across both cohorts

Geography

London

Impact Snapshot
Key Metric 1
440,000+ young people aged 4-18 active members across 7,000 Groups
Key Metric 2
140,000 volunteers supporting the movement across the UK
Key Metric 3
373 Sections opened or re-energised in England between April 2024 and March 2025
0.3% overall growth in young people (ages 4-18), driven by 31% increase in Squirrel Scouts (5,200 young people)
Impact Snapshot
Key Metric 1
55,000 foster carers and 370 fostering service providers as members across the UK
Key Metric 2
45 new Fostering Friendly Employers recruited, bringing the scheme to over 680,000 employees across the UK
Key Metric 3
95 Fostering Wellbeing Pioneers in Wales offering peer support and mentoring to fellow foster carers
191 children and young people engaged in outdoor adventure weeks through the Fostering Attainment and Achievement programme in Northern Ireland
Impact Snapshot
Key Metric 1
4,003 free-school-meal-eligible young people supported across programmes and workshops in 2024/25
Key Metric 2
348 employers engaged and 2,052 unique volunteers contributed to programme delivery
Key Metric 3
£5.73 raised for every £1 invested in fundraising, on total income of £5.5m
84% of alumni surveyed are in education or employment, and 92% believe the programme improved their career prospects
Impact Snapshot
Key Metric 1
107,375 people supported in 2024/25, up 10% year-on-year
Key Metric 2
51,000 students given careers information, advice and guidance across 245 schools and colleges
Key Metric 3
Group income £14.18m (year ended 31 March 2025)
12,881 participants supported through justice services contracts across 18 UK prisons