Press Release
Charity asks society - help us survive and thrive in the face of the pandemic
Margaret Hart, Chair of YHA (England & Wales). Image available to download at https://we.tl/t-qFeJcsaQBW
One of the UK's leading charities, YHA (England & Wales) has pledged to its members that it will come back stronger through the pandemic.
The pledge was made at YHA's virtual AGM on 7 November.
At the AGM YHA announced that it has launched a public survey with the aim of involving society in the future development of the youth hostel network. The survey outcome will assist the charity in shaping the youth hostel network in order to deliver its ambitious new strategy to connect more people, and especially young people, to affordable adventures - in nature, the outdoors, culture and heritage.
Speaking at the virtual AGM Margaret Hart, YHA's Chair, said: "The youth hostelling movement is a family, nationally and globally and, like all families, this year we have been under enormous pressure. I'm proud of what we've achieved despite huge challenges.
"We have been transparent about YHA's situation throughout this difficult year. It has not been easy and we are entering the difficult winter months. However, through the commitment, courage and energy of our teams throughout the Covid 19 pandemic I am confident that the organisation will survive and ultimately thrive."
Despitesuffering a £30 million (75%) drop in income since March 2020,members were told that YHA will survive and take forward its services to even more people. However, the organisation will need their help and support to take forward the strategy and rally to the youth hostelling cause.
YHA has put itself at the forefront of the national pandemic effort,repurposing a number of hostels to support the national fight against the disease, offering free accommodation in London to NHS and key workers and providing free breaks to families impacted by Covid 19.
Margaret Hart continued: "YHA has taken immediate action this year to safeguard the charity for the future. This includes pausing all capital investment, cutting costs including, sadly, having to make many loyal staff redundant, repurposing our hostels where we can and applying for all available grants."
The 90-year old charity has taken advantage of a £15m Government coronavirus loan to secure its cashflow through this period. And despite an uncertain trading outlook YHA announced its plans to introduce new services, including activity days for local schools.
Despite national and regional lockdowns, YHA's core approach over the year has been to open whenever it can in order both to give people a break and to generate income These connections to nature and outdoors are even more important post lockdown.Subject to Government restrictions, over winter YHA intends to open 18 of its most iconic hostels across England and Wales for families and individuals and to make a number of its hostels available for exclusive hire by groups, where permitted, during this period.
YHA Chief Executive James Blake said: "This year has been YHA's hardest in our history.Over a quarter of a million young people have missed out on a trip this year with YHA alone. For some, this would have been their first chance to stay away from home, to go to a beach, visit a museum or roll down a hill.
"YHA has a responsibility to remain open and ensure that people have access to much-needed breaks during these challenging times.Our unique ability to facilitate meaningful connections in the real world cannot be understated today, given the current situation."
Launched in March earlier this year as part of YHA's 90thanniversary celebrations, YHA's new strategy aims to positively impact on the lives of even more beneficiaries, particularly young people.
YHA wants to reach five million people over the next five years, half of these being under 26 and from across all communities, particularly the people most in need.
To help shape how youth hostels are used to connect more people to affordable adventures - in nature, the outdoors, culture and heritage, complete the survey atrb.gy/d0icki
Ends.
Notes to editors
YHA (England & Wales) is a leading youth charity with 90-year history of making travel and adventure accessible to all, especially young people.
Established in 1930, YHA's charitable object remains as relevant in 2020 as it was in 1930 - ‘To help all, especially young people of limited means, to a greater knowledge, love and care of the countryside, and appreciation of the cultural values of towns and cities, particularly by providing youth hostels or other simple accommodation for them in their travels, and thus to promote their health, recreation and education.'
As part of YHA's 90thanniversary celebrations the charity has launched the Project90 fundraising appeal. Details of Project90 can be found atgetinvolved.yha.org.uk/fundraising/appeals/project90/
YHA's charitable purpose is at the forefront of its new 10-year strategy-Adventure. For the first time and a lifetime. Our 10 year strategy for connecting people and places.Itcan be viewed and downloaded atyha.org.uk/about-yha/yha-strategy-2020
Operating more than 150 locations throughout England and Wales, YHA offers a unique range of affordable accommodation including youth hostels, camping and cabins in rural, coastal and city locations.
Many of YHA's sites are in stunning heritage properties: including a medieval castle (YHA St Briavels Castle); an Elizabethan manor house (YHA Wilderhope Manor); a Victorian mock gothic mansion (YHA Castleton at Losehill Hall) and a medieval friary (YHA Beverley Friary).
Through its social enterprise model, revenue from YHA's hostel accommodation is directed towards its social purpose.
YHA prides itself on providing affordable, contemporary accommodation and a life-enriching, social experience which differs from a hotel stay.
Since 2010 more than £40million has been invested in YHA's existing network of accommodation as well as the acquisition of new hostels. YHA's most recent hostel acquisitions include YHA Newcastle Central (November 2019) and YHA Liverpool Central (November 2019).
Through access to travel, heritage, culture, outdoors and nature, YHA aims to improve outcomes related to health, wellbeing and life chances for young people and families, particularly those with challenging lives.
YHA's partnerships are extensive and involve organisations and charities working at virtually every potential touchpoint in young people's lives from schools and colleges, Movement to Work, The Duke of Edinburgh Award, Family Holiday Association and School Journey Association, amongst many others.
YHA is a leading provider of residential school trips, withmore than 80 Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC) accredited sites — more than any other provider. Committed to quality outdoor education, YHA champions the national #BrilliantResidentials campaign.
YHAdelivers measurable impact, nurturing young people's personal and social development through education, upskilling and work readiness schemes.
In 2019 - 2020
- 1,049,522people stayed with YHA and408,027guests were aged under 26
- Over150,000young people accessed an affordable residential learning experience through their school or group
- 4,875 young people and families with challenging livesreceived free or supported breaks
- 1,040 young people volunteeredwith YHA
Further information can be found in YHA's latest impact review athttps://www.yha.org.uk/about-yha/impact
In the current coronavirus crisis, YHA is repurposing a number of hostels to support the national fight against the disease. For example, YHA Bath, Manchester, Oxford, Bristol, Brighton and Cardiff have all been licensed to local councils temporarily to support the most vulnerable.
YHA reopened partially to guests in July 2020 with a mix of COVID secure hostels offering rooms, and opportunities to hire hostels exclusively for groups meeting the Government's restrictions. The network has had to close down in England during the current lockdown in November.
12 hostels will be fully open to families and individuals during the winter, and are available to book onwww.yha.org.uk.
These are:Ambleside, Keswick, Boggle Hole, York, Losehill Hall Castleton, Hartington Hall, South Downs, Snowdon Pen Y Pass, Brecon Beacons, Treyarnon Bay, London St Pancras and Cambridge.
Other hostels will be available for Exclusive Hire to groups that meet the Government's restrictions. These can be booked athttps://exclusive-hire.yha.org.uk
To see the difference that YHA makes to the lives of young people and their families, visit YHA'sYouTubechannel.
Further information about YHA can be found atyha.org.uk
Follow YHA onFacebook,Instagram,LinkedIn, andTwitter.
For press enquiries, please contact:
Anna Melton
In the Works PR
07837 108559 / 01246 386480
anna@intheworkspr.co.uk