YMCA George Williams College trustees said the decision to close the organisation, which opened in 1970, followed an “extended period of careful consideration and evaluation” of its place in the sector against a challenging backdrop.

The statement paid tribute to the “dedicated and hardworking staff” who will be profoundly impacted by the decision. The college’s executive director, Bethia McNeil, said: “With deep sadness, we are announcing the planned closure of YMCA George Williams College on 31 March 2025.”

In their statement, the trustees of the college said: “Since the merger of the Centre for Youth Impact into YMCA George Williams College in April 2022, we have worked diligently to define our role within both the youth sector and the wider YMCA movement.

“Our aim was to build on the rich legacies of both institutions while identifying new opportunities to support and empower our partners across the youth sector.”

The trustees also stated that they will work closely with funders and YMCA England & Wales to “explore opportunities for some areas of our work to live on.”

The Youth Work Unit Y&H is saddened to hear that YMCA George Williams will be closing at the end of March. We have worked with them consistently from the inception of the Centre for Youth Impact, through to their merger. They have been a consistent partner in developing and showcasing impact across the youth sector and building partnerships across the regions. Our thoughts are with the colleagues and staff affected by the news, and we will all continue to work on this agenda with young people and the youth sector.