YMCA: Cost of Living

The remit of the YMCA is primarily to support vulnerable, disadvantaged and disenfranchised people, as well as the wider communities in which YMCAs operate. The YMCA is concerned that the current economic climate (“the cost-of-living crisis”) which has seen significant and sustained rises in the cost of necessities such as food and fuel has, and will continue to, exacerbate existing vulnerabilities, and cause greater social and health issues for families.

Rising food and fuel costs have exacerbated existing social and health inequalities, leaving many struggling to maintain a safe and warm home. Through this initiative, YMCA and its partners aim to provide holistic, place-based support that addresses financial hardship, fuel poverty and well-being.

Cadent and the YMCA ran a ‘Cost of Living project’ as a pilot over six months (1 February – 31 July 2024). This was a huge success, reaching 35,033 individuals across 32 YMCAs with a range of cost-of-living support. Cadent and the YMCA are pleased to see this project reinstated and extended until the end of March 2026 and to scale the project to other locations.

With 9,466 beds across England and Wales, their holistic support connects more than 20,000 people each year with case workers and provides access to life skills, healthy living activities and budgeting sessions designed to help them to live independently. The aim for all people living in YMCA-supported accommodation is that there is support enabling people to move on to live in their own independent accommodation, whether this might be social housing or private rented accommodation.