We are delighted to announce that we have secured a significant grant from the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage.
This vital funding is from the Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage and the Heritage Stimulus Fund – funded by Government and administered at arms-length by Historic England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Both funds are part of the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund which is designed to secure the future of Britain’s museums, galleries, theatres, independent cinemas, heritage sites and music venues with emergency grants and loans.
The £866,700 grant will enable us to safeguard the future of a number of our historic properties amidst the pandemic and ensure that people can continue to access significant heritage and culture sites in England.
We are one of 445 heritage organisations across the country that will share £103 million, to help restart vital reconstruction work and maintenance on cherished heritage sites, keeping venues open and supporting those working in the sector.
The funding has come at a critical time for us, as the organisation has been hard hit by the pandemic, suffering a £30 million (75%) drop in income since March.
James Blake, Chief Executive here at YHA said: “The grant is an important financial bridge for us. It will not only help ensure YHA can manage resources over the winter season but, as importantly, will help us thrive long term.”
Currently, only around 60 of our 154-strong network of properties in England and Wales are able to open for guests in order to meet Government restrictions and ensure guest safety.
With a key organisational priority of our strategy being to connect people to heritage, landscapes and nature, the funding will enable us to increase capacity at a number of its rural youth hostels, helping more people to experience and benefit from access to the outdoors.
The grant will be invested in alternative income streams, including camping and cabin facilities at youth hostels to meet the demand the charity is seeing in its rural locations. Additionally, investment will be made into our back office processes and projects to improve our communications with members, supporters and guests and aid our recovery post pandemic.
With some of our properties dating back to the 1200s, we want to make historical buildings accessible to the public, particularly young people on our school trips.
With outdoor learning having the power to transform lives – often inspiring a life-long connection with nature that helps young people become custodians of our precious environment – the funding will also allow us to further build on our work with the Access Unlimited coalition to connect more children and young people to natural heritage and the outdoors.
Throughout the pandemic, the Access Unlimited coalition, which comprises YHA, The Outwood Bound Trust, Scouts, Girlguiding, Field Studies Council and the National Parks, has pressed Government to take action to protect the future of outdoor learning.
For children and young people with access to the least resources there will be an even greater need for them to connect with nature and our nations breathing spaces, something we know which greatly improves their wellbeing. Some 2 million homes went through lcokdown without access to any outdoor space due to not having a garden.
The inequalities of access to the outdoors and green spaces that existed pre-COVID have only been compounded by the pandemic. Our aim is to ensure that there are opportunities for every child, teen, and young person to access high quality learning and residential experiences in our National Parks and AONBs.
Children’s connection with nature increases with time spent in nature, and extended time in nature in childhood, many studies show, predicts active care for nature in adulthood. When children are involved in experiences with nature, they are absorbed and completely attentive to what is at hand. This exposure to nature can be simply going for a walk, playing outdoors with friends, or hiking in the woods as part of a residential trip.
Recognising the importance of ensuring young people remain connected to heritage, landscapes and the outdoors during the pandemic, we have introduced a day programme specifically for schools that takes young people out of the classroom and into youth hostel environments in a safe and organised manner. The grant will support in the delivery and roll-out of our new Schools Day Programme.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: “As a nation it is essential that we preserve our heritage and celebrate and learn from our past. This massive support package will protect our shared heritage for future generations, save jobs and help us prepare for a cultural bounce back post Covid.”
Ros Kerslake, Chief Executive of the National Lottery Heritage Fund said: “It is absolutely right that investing in heritage should be a priority during this crisis and this support by Government is crucial. Heritage creates jobs and economic prosperity, is a major driver for tourism and makes our towns, cities, and rural areas better places to live. All of this is so important for our wellbeing and will be particularly vital when we start to emerge from this incredibly difficult time.
“Our heritage is still facing a perilous future – we are not out of the woods yet. But this hugely welcome funding from Government, and the money we continue to invest from the National Lottery, has undoubtedly stopped heritage and the organisations that care for it being permanently lost.”
James Blake thanked the National Lottery Heritage Fund for its trust in YHA’s ability to help people enjoy the benefits of heritage during the pandemic. He said: “YHA is an organisation born out of social reform in 1930 and, now 90 years later amidst a pandemic, we have a significant role to play in improving connections to heritage, culture, nature, and the outdoors.
“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 and experience our amazing heritage. We have a duty to remain open and ensure that people have access to much-needed breaks during these challenging times. The funding will enable us to increase capacity at a number of our hostels ensuring we provide unique opportunities for the many not just the few.”
