What YMCA DownsLink does

YMCA DownsLink Group is a registered UK charity (Charity No: 1079570) operating across Sussex and Surrey for 175 years, delivering an integrated portfolio of youth homelessness prevention and support services. Its core activities are supported accommodation (housing 650+ young people each night), mental health counselling through YMCA Dialogue and the e-wellbeing digital platform (delivered in 40 schools and sixth-form colleges), Youth Advice Centres in Brighton and Crawley, chaplaincy, family mediation, and the specialist YMCA WiSE service for children affected by sexual exploitation. The organization is the largest provider of mental health services and counselling for children, young people and families in Sussex and supports 7,146 young people annually with prevention services.

The underlying technology footprint is non-proprietary and limited to standard digital tools: the e-wellbeing website for youth participation, payment processors (Stripe, PayPal, JustGiving) for donations, Mailchimp for supporter communications, and routine web services (Google Analytics, reCAPTCHA, Google Maps, OneTap accessibility). The charity operates through seven wholly-owned regional branch entities (Brighton & Hove, Crawley, Eastbourne and Hailsham, Guildford, Hastings, Horsham, Worthing) and is part of the YMCA England & Wales network.

Revenue is generated through a hybrid charity model combining government and local authority contracts (NHS Sussex, Brighton & Hove City Council, East Sussex County Council), grant funding (e.g., Household Support Fund), corporate partnerships (Partners for Change programme), and individual donations including a Room Sponsor scheme at 40p per day. Services are provided free to end users. The go-to-market is community-led: referrals come from local authorities, social services, schools, NHS, Sussex Police, and self-referrals from young people aged 13-25. In 2026 the organization launched a five-year strategy targeting 50% more young people supported by 2031 and was selected as an early adopter for the UK government's Young Futures Hub programme.

Name

YMCA DownsLink

Legal name

YMCA DownsLink Group

Website

https://ymcadlg.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1849

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

YMCA DownsLink Group is a UK charity operating across Sussex and Surrey that provides supported housing, mental health counselling, youth advice, and family support to over 7,000 young people annually, funded through local authority contracts, grants, and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Support Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Temporary Shelters (624221), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Child and Youth Services (624110)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Housing, Foster Care & Wraparound Support (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK), Behavioral Health for Children & Adolescents (Youth Services) (HLAFACAL), Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

Keywords

• Youth homelessness services
• Supported accommodation
• Youth counselling
• Mental health support
• Youth advice services

Headquarters

HQ city

Hove

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Charitable donations and fundraising: Individual donations, corporate partnerships, and fundraising events support the organization's operations. Room sponsorship scheme allows donors to support young people for 40p per day.
2. Government and local authority contracts: Contracts with local authorities, NHS Sussex, and Brighton & Hove City Council for housing, mental health, and youth services provision.
3. Grant funding: Funding from organizations such as Brighton & Hove City Council's Household Support Fund for outreach programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

YMCA DownsLink Group is a registered charity that provides supported accommodation, mental health counselling, and youth advice services to young people aged 13-25 facing homelessness and related challenges across Sussex and Surrey. Core services include 24-hour supported housing (650+ beds nightly), YMCA Dialogue Counselling Services delivered in schools and community settings, the e-wellbeing digital mental health platform, Youth Advice Centres, sexual exploitation support (WiSE), chaplaincy, and family mediation. Services are provided free of charge to young people in need.

Product overview

YMCA DownsLink Group operates as a single-charity organization providing an integrated portfolio of youth support services across Sussex and Surrey. The core offering centers on supported accommodation (housing over 650 young people nightly) complemented by mental health and counselling services through YMCA Dialogue and e-wellbeing. Additional services include Youth Advice Centres, YMCA WiSE (sexual exploitation support), Chaplaincy, and family mediation. The organization runs complementary programmes including Partners for Change corporate partnerships, Room Sponsor donations, and the Life Change Fund grant scheme. Youth Voice and Leadership Strategy ensures young people shape service development. Services are delivered through seven local YMCA branches across Brighton and Hove, Crawley, Eastbourne and Hailsham, Guildford, Hastings, Horsham, and Worthing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• YMCA Dialogue Counselling Services: Mental health counselling services for children, young people and families
• e-wellbeing
• Youth Advice Centre (YAC)
• YMCA WiSE
• Partners for Change

Products and services

• Supported Accommodation 24-hour supported housing providing safe homes to young people facing homelessness in Sussex and Surrey, offering over 650 safe beds nightly for young people aged 16-25.
• YMCA Dialogue Counselling Services BACP-accredited therapeutic counselling services for children, young people and families, delivered in schools and community settings across Sussex. The largest provider of mental health services for this demographic in the region.
• e-wellbeing Youth-led digital mental health service and participation platform for young people, offering online resources, the School Mental Health Champions programme, and Youth Ambassador opportunities.
• Youth Advice Centre (YAC) Safe, confidential advice service for young people aged 13-25 providing support around housing, benefits, employment, and other issues, with locations in Brighton and Crawley.
• YMCA WiSE (What is Sexual Exploitation) Specialized service supporting children and families in Sussex affected by sexual exploitation, providing targeted support focusing on online safety through closed referrals from Sussex Police.
• Chaplaincy Non-judgmental support service for young people and staff of all faiths and none, offering shared meals, group sessions, one-to-one support, and spiritual companionship in supported accommodation.
• YMCA YAC Family Mediation Family mediation service helping young people and their families resolve conflicts and rebuild relationships.
• Room Sponsor donation programme Donation programme allowing supporters to sponsor a room for a young person at 40p per day, providing stable accommodation and support.
• Partners for Change Corporate partnership programme allowing businesses to support the charity through sponsorship, fundraising, and volunteer engagement.
• Life Change Fund Financial support fund available to young people needing resources to achieve goals that benefit their future, such as training or equipment.

Quantifiable outcome

• 650+ young people given safe home each night
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• YMCA (parent organization)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYMCA DownsLink Group is part of the YMCA network, one of the largest youth charities in the UK. The organization benefits from YMCA brand recognition and national resources while operating independently in Sussex and Surrey.
• Brighton & Hove City CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding from Brighton & Hove City Council's Household Support Fund supports YAC outreach work. Also part of Young Futures Hub program.
• East Sussex County Council (ESCC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommissioned youth engagement workshops exploring young people's online experiences and digital wellbeing for development of whole-school approach.
• Brighton & Hove Public Health SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership delivering e-wellbeing Mental Health Champions program in schools across Brighton and Hove.
• Peridot PartnersminorOthersExecutive search firm assisting with recruitment of Director of Supported Housing and Director of Mental Health and Advice positions.
• Sussex PolicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWiSE (What is Sexual Exploitation) service accepts closed referrals from Sussex Police for children and families in Sussex.
• NHS SussexcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMental health services collaboration and partnership supporting young people's mental health across Sussex.
• Focus FurnishingsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate supporter through Partners for Change program, providing furnishing support for YMCA housing.
• People's PartnershipminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNon-profit pension provider that sent corporate volunteers to help transform Crawley supported housing garden.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Centrepoint: UK charity providing supported housing, homelessness services, and support for young people aged 16-25. Directly comparable as a peer youth homelessness charity operating across multiple UK regions with similar referral-based service model.
• Depaul UK: Charity supporting young people affected by homelessness and adversity across the UK through housing, mental health, and family services. Operates a similar wraparound support model with regional delivery hubs.
• St Basils: Youth homelessness charity working across the West Midlands and beyond, providing supported accommodation and advice services to young people aged 16-25. Closely comparable regional housing-plus-support model.
• Catch22: Social business (non-profit) delivering services for vulnerable young people including housing, mental health, and education programmes across the UK. Comparable operating model combining commissioning contracts and direct delivery.

Broad incumbents

• YMCA England & Wales: Parent network of which YMCA DownsLink Group is a member. Operates the national YMCA brand, federated governance, and shared resources across dozens of regional YMCAs delivering youth housing and wellbeing services.
• Shelter: Major UK housing and homelessness charity providing advice, advocacy, and supported housing services. Comparable on the housing/homelessness axis though broader in scope (all ages) and more advocacy-focused.
• The Children's Society: National charity supporting vulnerable children and young people through direct services, advocacy, and county-based programmes. Comparable in providing wraparound youth services including housing and mental health support.
• Action for Children: UK children's charity delivering services in fostering, mental health, and family support across regional hubs. Comparable on the children/youth services axis though with broader scope and longer residential care lines.

Emerging players

• YoungMinds: UK charity focused on children and young people's mental health, providing advocacy, parent helpline, and youth participation programmes. Comparable on the youth mental health axis, though primarily campaign- and advice-led rather than direct counselling delivery.
• St Giles Trust: Charity supporting disadvantaged young people and adults with housing, advice, and mental health services. Comparable on the youth homelessness and advice axis with a peer-led service model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/YMCADLG
• Facebookfacebook.com/YMCADLG
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ymca-downslink-group

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about YMCA DownsLink