2026 Free

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2024-25

YMCA DownsLink Group is the largest regional charity preventing youth homelessness and supporting children and young people's mental health across Sussex and Surrey. In 2024/25 it supported 5,952 children and young people, secured Ofsted registration for its care-leaver accommodation, and returned to financial surplus after a period of restructuring.

Report snapshot
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About

Supported housing and Foyer accommodation for young people up to 25; Ofsted-registered accommodation for 16-17 year old care leavers; emotional wellbeing and mental health counselling (BACP accredited); specialist advice and support for LGBTQ+, care-experienced, refugee and young carer communities

Key Metrics

Key Metric 1 5,952 children and young people supported across Sussex and Surrey in 2024/25
Key Metric 2 896 young people provided with a safe home, and 4,186 children provided with counselling services
Key Metric 3 870 children, young people and families received specialist information, advice and support

Key Outcomes

  • 81% of residents said they were satisfied with the service provided
  • 220 students across 11 education settings engaged in the Mental Health Champions peer-led project
  • Achieved a financial turnaround to a £283k operating surplus after two years of deficits, strengthening long-term sustainability

Geography

South East

Impact Snapshot
Key Metric 1
1,481 young people supported in 2024/25, with 325 accommodated across all services
Key Metric 2
3,216 counselling sessions delivered to 528 young people, a 101% increase on the previous year
Key Metric 3
A Social Return on Investment analysis found every £1 invested generates £6.80 of social impact
78% of young people in Supported Accommodation demonstrated positive progression, up from 62% the prior year
Impact Snapshot
Key Metric 1
£301,000 given in grants to homeless people in 2023-24
Key Metric 2
Nearly 3,000 people helped across England over the year
Key Metric 3
£102,000 in resettlement grants enabling 592 homeless people to move into a home
512 homeless people received six months of free mobile data through digital inclusion grants
Impact Snapshot
Key Metric 1
300 households (518 people, incl. 197 children) supported through Hope at Home
Key Metric 2
£974,304 total value of support provided; £3,247 average support per household
Key Metric 3
£200,000 awarded to 11 charities via Hope Funds Round 5; up to £4.77 social return per £1 invested
97% of supported tenancies sustained; 83% reported reduced risk of homelessness