Youth Cymru
Youth Cymru is a Wales-based national youth development charity (founded 1934) delivering training, accredited qualifications, and direct programmes to young people aged 11-25 while supporting a membership network of youth organisations, schools, and local authorities across Wales.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1934
- HeadquartersWales, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Youth Cymru does
Youth Cymru is a registered charity (Charity Number 1163959) and company limited by guarantee (Company Number 02646433) operating as a member-led national organisation for the youth sector in Wales, United Kingdom. Founded in 1934 as the Cardiff Federation and renamed from the Welsh Association of Youth Clubs (WAYC) in 2003, it delivers direct programmes to young people aged 11-25 while simultaneously supporting a membership network of youth organisations, schools, local authorities, and third sector bodies across Wales. Its core service areas include a Training and Accreditation Centre with over 50 years of specialist delivery (including Level 2 & 3 Youth Work Qualifications and the Agored Cymru-accredited Youth Achievement Awards), project streams such as the Summer Jobs Programme, Young Leaders Programme, In-School Mentoring, Aspiring Champions mentoring for young adults leaving custody, ArtThem creative textile workshops, and the 2026-2029 Troi'r Llanw/Turning the Tide climate action project. Technology is limited to a standard bilingual Welsh/English website with social media channels and online membership/event booking; no proprietary technology platforms or AI/ML systems are evidenced.
Revenue is generated through four streams: free membership (freemium), commissioned and scheduled training/accreditation services (professional services), donations and fundraising (including a £12,000 Aspiring Champions appeal), and grant funding from Welsh Government, The National Lottery Community Fund, The Waterloo Foundation, and other institutional funders. The organisation operates from a Treforest head office and a Newport office, employs 11-50 staff under a Joint CEO leadership model (Julia Griffiths and Melanie Ryan), and operates within a Cross-Nations Partnership spanning 100 years with UK Youth, Youth Scotland, Youth Action Northern Ireland, and Youth Work Ireland. It holds the Quality Mark for Youth Work (QMYW) from the Education Workforce Council and leads the Welsh Government-funded Youth Work Marketing and Communications Programme.
Youth Cymru firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Youth Cymru
- Legal name
- Youth Cymru
- Website
- https://youthcymru.org.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1934
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Youth Cymru is a Wales-based national youth development charity (founded 1934) delivering training, accredited qualifications, and direct programmes to young people aged 11-25 while supporting a membership network of youth organisations, schools, and local authorities across Wales.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Youth Cymru industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Youth Development Services
- NAICS
- Child and Youth Services (62411), Educational Support Services (611710), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAD)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK)
Keywords
Where Youth Cymru is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Wales
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Youth Cymru business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Membership Fees: Membership is currently free, providing access to training, professional development, networking, resources, and opportunities to influence youth services in Wales.
- Training and Accreditation Services: Provides bespoke and scheduled training programmes for organisations and individuals, including accredited and non-accredited options. Revenue generated through commission-based training services.
- Donations and Fundraising: Accepts donations via PayPal and other channels. Currently running priority appeals including Aspiring Champions mentoring programme for young adults leaving custody, targeting £12,000 fundraising goal.
- Grant Funding: Receives grant funding from Welsh Government, The National Lottery Community Fund, The Waterloo Foundation, and other institutional funders for specific projects and programmes.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Annual | Professional Membership - Free tier with access to training, professional development, networking, resources, and opportunities to influence youth services in Wales |
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Youth Cymru product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Youth Cymru is a national membership charity that delivers youth development programmes directly to young people aged 11-25 and supports the wider youth sector through training, accreditation, and membership services. Its core offerings include the Training and Accreditation Centre (with Agored Cymru accredited qualifications), the Youth Achievement Awards framework, mentoring programmes (Aspiring Champions, In-School Mentoring), leadership and employment programmes (Young Leaders, Summer Jobs), creative projects (ArtThem), and cross-nations youth voice forums. Services are delivered bilingually in Welsh and English across Wales, with the organisation funded through grants, donations, and commissioned training.
Product overview
Youth Cymru is a national membership charity for youth work in Wales, offering a portfolio of programmes, training services, and accreditation. Core offerings include: the Training and Accreditation Centre (delivering over 50 years of specialist youth sector training, including bespoke/organised courses and Agored Cymru accreditation); the Youth Achievement Awards (a progressive accreditation framework for young people aged 11-16); and multiple project streams including the Summer Jobs Programme (employment for 16-25 year olds), Young Leaders Programme, Turning the Tide climate action project, Aspiring Champions mentoring for young adults leaving custody, In-School Mentoring, ArtThem creative workshops, and Cross Nations Partnership. The organisation also leads the Welsh Government-funded Youth Work Marketing and Communications Programme. Services are delivered directly and through membership, with training and accreditation forming the professional development backbone.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Training and Accreditation Centre A centre delivering over 50 years of specialist training for the youth sector, offering bespoke training for organisations, scheduled training for individuals, and accreditation services through Agored Cymru, including Level 2 and 3 Youth Work Qualifications.
- Youth Achievement Awards (YAA) Credit-based, accredited learning opportunities for young people aged 11-16, managed by Youth Cymru and accredited through Agored Cymru. A youth-led, progressive, and flexible framework with five progressive awards recognising achievement across formal and non-formal settings.
- Summer Jobs Programme A UK-wide initiative delivered in Wales by Youth Cymru as local partner, providing meaningful paid employment opportunities for young people aged 16-25 during summer. Delivery covers Cardiff, Newport, and Swansea, with wraparound youth worker support.
- Young Leaders Programme A programme offering interactive workshops, leadership training, and the Youth Achievement Award (YAA). Participants connect with peers, engage in community projects, and hear from inspiring guest speakers, building essential leadership skills.
- Aspiring Champions Mentoring Programme A mentoring programme supporting young adults aged 18-25 facing tough challenges, including those leaving custody, providing consistent 1:1 mentoring to rebuild confidence, set goals, and move toward positive futures. Supported by The Waterloo Foundation.
- In-School Mentoring Mentoring programmes delivered in schools providing 1:1 tailored support from youth workers for personal growth and socio-emotional development, enhancing student engagement, wellbeing, and creating supportive school environments.
- Troi'r Llanw / Turning the Tide Climate Action Project A three-year climate action project (2026-2029) led by the Centre for Alternative Technology alongside Cwmpas, Mentrau Iaith Cymru, and EYST Wales, aiming to normalise community-led climate work and ensure marginalised voices shape environmental decisions. Youth Cymru leads youth engagement through a Youth Advisory Forum.
- Cross Nations Partnership Programme A partnership with UK Youth, Youth Scotland, Youth Action Northern Ireland, and Youth Work Ireland spanning 100 years of collaboration. Supports youth voice forums, joint advocacy, research, training collaboration, and cross-border youth mobility.
- Your Voice (Youth Forums) Cross-national youth forums including Youth Allies for Inspiring Action (funded through Shared Island Civic Fund) and the UK-Ireland Youth Advisory Group (YAG), enabling young people aged 16-25 to shape youth work policy across borders.
- ArtThem: Creative Textile Workshops Empowering young people from marginalised backgrounds through wearable art sessions that build confidence, develop sewing and textile skills, and promote wellbeing through inclusive, youth-led creative activities, often leading to formal accreditation.
- Youth Work Marketing and Communications Programme A national programme delivered in partnership with Welsh Government to strengthen how youth work is represented, understood, and celebrated across Wales, with two strands: public awareness campaigns and sector communication support.
- Youth Work and the Welsh Curriculum Toolkit A practitioner toolkit supporting youth workers in Wales to understand, engage with, and complement the Curriculum for Wales, recognising youth work's unique role in informal, relationship-based education.
- Renewable Futures Programme A past project empowering young people through training and hands-on experience in renewable energy and sustainability, building valuable skills, community engagement, and career opportunities in the green sector.
- Impact Leadership Programme National Impact Networking Meetings hosted in Wales focusing on practical Impact Leadership to enhance skills and drive positive change in the youth sector, fostering growth and resilience.
- Listening Out Loud Seminars Monthly lunchtime webinars offering youth sector professionals across the five nations a space to listen, learn, and share on current and challenging themes in youth work delivery.
- Youth Cymru Membership Free membership programme providing access to training, professional development, networking, resources, and opportunities to influence youth services in Wales for individual youth workers, youth clubs, and any organisation.
Quantifiable outcome
- Every £1 invested in youth work generates at least £3.20 return through improved physical and mental health and reduced crime
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Youth Cymru
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Youth Cymru technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Youth Cymru partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- UK YouthcoreCross Nations Partnership with four leading UK and Ireland youth work charities (UK Youth, Youth Scotland, Youth Action Northern Ireland, Youth Work Ireland) committed to improving young people's life chances. Partnership spans 100 years and includes joint advocacy, research, training collaboration, and youth forums.
- Youth ScotlandcoreCross Nations Partnership with Youth Scotland as part of five-campaigning youth work charities committed to social action across the UK and Ireland.
- Youth Action Northern IrelandcoreCross Nations Partnership with Youth Action Northern Ireland as part of five-campaigning youth work charities committed to social action across the UK and Ireland.
- Youth Work IrelandcoreCross Nations Partnership with Youth Work Ireland as part of five-campaigning youth work charities committed to social action across the UK and Ireland.
- Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT)coreLed by CAT alongside Cwmpas, Youth Cymru, Mentrau Iaith Cymru, and EYST Wales in the Troi'r Llanw/Turning the Tide project - a three-year climate action programme funded with £1,499,800 from The National Lottery Community Fund's Climate Action Fund.
- CwmpascorePartner in Troi'r Llanw/Turning the Tide climate action project alongside CAT, Youth Cymru, Mentrau Iaith Cymru, and EYST Wales.
- Mentrau Iaith CymrucorePartner in Troi'r Llanw/Turning the Tide climate action project alongside CAT, Cwmpas, Youth Cymru, and EYST Wales.
- Ethnic Minorities and Youth Support Team Wales (EYST)corePartner in Troi'r Llanw/Turning the Tide climate action project alongside CAT, Cwmpas, Youth Cymru, and Mentrau Iaith Cymru.
- Welsh GovernmentcoreYouth Cymru works in partnership with Welsh Government on the Youth Work Marketing and Communications Programme, aiming to strengthen how youth work is represented, understood, and celebrated across Wales.
- Agored CymrucoreYouth Achievement Awards are accredited through Agored Cymru and sit within the Qualifications Framework for Wales. Youth Cymru provides access to Agored Cymru curriculum for organisations delivering their own accredited learning.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Youth Cymru competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- UK Youth: The lead Cross-Nations Partner of Youth Cymru. UK Youth is a national membership body for the youth sector in England, delivering training, advocacy, and programmes. Directly comparable in mission, member-led model, and portfolio of youth work programmes.
- Youth Scotland: A Cross-Nations Partner and the national membership body for youth work in Scotland. Directly comparable in mission, national membership model, training and accreditation services, and youth development programmes, but operating under a different national jurisdiction.
- Youth Action Northern Ireland: A Cross-Nations Partner and the national youth work membership body in Northern Ireland. Directly comparable as a national member-led youth organisation delivering training, programmes, and accreditation across the youth sector.
- Youth Work Ireland: A Cross-Nations Partner and the national youth work federation in Ireland. Directly comparable as a Cross-Nations partner, delivering training, youth programmes, and member services to a national network of affiliated organisations.
Broad incumbents
- National Youth Agency: The national body for youth work in England, providing workforce development, training, and sector standards. Comparable as a national training/standards body for youth work, but operates a broader remit and is an English-only organisation.
- Prince's Trust: A major UK youth charity delivering programmes for disadvantaged young people aged 11-30. Comparable as a national youth development organisation, but significantly larger scale, broader UK reach, and more focused on employability outcomes.
- National Citizen Service Trust (NCS): A government-backed youth programme for 16-17 year olds across the UK. Comparable as a national youth development programme with paid employment and personal development components (e.g., Youth Cymru's Summer Jobs Programme).
- The Boys' Brigade: A long-established UK and Ireland uniformed youth organisation. Comparable as a heritage youth development charity with a similar member-based model and focus on young people aged 5-18, though with a more faith-rooted identity.
- Girlguiding UK: A major UK youth organisation for girls and young women, with operations across Wales. Comparable as a large national youth membership charity with a long history (over 100 years) and presence in the same Welsh geography.
- Scouts (UK): The largest UK youth organisation with national coverage including Wales. Comparable as a long-established member-led youth development charity with training, accreditation, and cross-national reach, but at much larger scale.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Youth Cymru social profiles
Digital presenceYouth Cymru compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Youth Cymru financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Youth Cymru leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Youth Cymru funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Youth Cymru M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Youth Cymru
What does Youth Cymru do?
Youth Cymru is a national membership charity that delivers youth development programmes directly to young people aged 11-25 and supports the wider youth sector through training, accreditation, and membership services. Its core offerings include the Training and Accreditation Centre (with Agored Cymru accredited qualifications), the Youth Achievement Awards framework, mentoring programmes (Aspiring Champions, In-School Mentoring), leadership and employment programmes (Young Leaders, Summer Jobs), creative projects (ArtThem), and cross-nations youth voice forums. Services are delivered bilingually in Welsh and English across Wales, with the organisation funded through grants, donations, and commissioned training.
Is Youth Cymru a public or private company?
Youth Cymru is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Youth Cymru founded?
Youth Cymru was founded in 1934. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Youth Cymru based?
Youth Cymru is headquartered in Wales, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Youth Cymru make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Membership Fees are the primary driver. The others are training and Accreditation Services, donations and Fundraising and grant Funding.
Who are Youth Cymru's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are UK Youth, Youth Scotland, Youth Action Northern Ireland and Youth Work Ireland. Broad incumbents are National Youth Agency, Prince's Trust, National Citizen Service Trust (NCS), The Boys' Brigade, Girlguiding UK and Scouts (UK).
Does Youth Cymru have an API?
No public API is recorded for Youth Cymru.
What industry is Youth Cymru in?
Youth Cymru's product category is Youth Development Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGADAD, Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits, with a secondary code of BPAGADAK, Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits. Its NAICS code is 62411 and its SIC code is 8200.