Calling for Fair Opportunities for Young People Across Wales

YMCA has unveiled its 2026 Senedd Election Manifesto, setting out a bold and practical vision to ensure every young person in Wales has the chance to belong, contribute and thrive. As the oldest and largest youth charity in the world — supporting more than 19,600 people across 37 Welsh communities each year — YMCA is calling on the next Welsh Government to take decisive action to improve youth services, housing, mental health provision, career opportunities, sports access and long‑term sustainability for the charity sector.

The manifesto highlights the essential role YMCAs across Wales play in providing safe homes, youth work, training, mental health support, family programmes, sports facilities and community spaces. With more than 976 people housed, 9,911 supported through youth and family work, and 7,132 accessing healthy living activities annually, YMCA Cymru continues to act as a vital safety net for young people facing significant challenges.

1. Strengthening Youth Services

YMCA is urging the next Welsh Government to continue its commitment to establishing a National Youth Work Body, ensuring it is delivered through genuine partnership with the third sector.
With local authority youth service budgets cut by 29% since 2010/11, the manifesto calls for renewed, long‑term funding to provide safe spaces, trusted adults and development opportunities for young people.

2. Improving Housing Supply and Affordability

With 1 in 5 people experiencing homelessness aged between 16 and 24, YMCA stresses the urgent need for accessible, affordable housing. The charity is calling for:

• Broader eligibility for housing schemes beyond housing associations
• Continued investment in green, energy‑efficient homes
• Expansion of the Transitional Accommodation Capital Programme (TACP)
• Fair access to housing funding for local charities like YMCA

The manifesto aligns housing policy with YMCA’s wider 2030 sustainability vision.

3. Expanding Opportunities for Young People Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET)

Wales continues to face a significant challenge with 1 in 10 young people classed as NEET. YMCA is calling for strong action to:

• Create good, stable local career pathways
• Expand apprenticeships in future‑proof sectors
• Balance STEM and digital/green skills
• Support community‑based vocational learning, including repurposing unused buildings for training

4. Addressing the Youth Mental Health Crisis

With many young people reporting feelings of emptiness and long waits for support, YMCA calls for:

• Increased investment in mental health services
• A national network of early support hubs
• Stronger support for community‑based, non‑clinical mental health programmes delivered by charities

YMCA teams across Wales already provide vital mental health support to hundreds of young people each year, and the manifesto argues that community organisations must be equipped to do even more.

5. Expanding Access to Sport and Physical Activity

YMCA highlights the importance of sport and physical activity for wellbeing and confidence, noting that 39% of school‑aged children take part in organised sport three times a week or more.
The manifesto calls for sustained investment to:

• Improve and maintain community sports facilities
• Ensure fair access to safe, indoor and outdoor spaces
• Support grassroots sport programmes for young people

6. Securing the Future of the Charity and Community Sector

Many charities are struggling with rising demand, short‑term funding cycles and increasing regulatory burdens. YMCA is urging the Senedd to champion:

• Longer‑term, partnership‑driven funding models
• Stability that allows organisations to innovate, plan ahead and expand services
• Contracting approaches that recognise the value and impact of local charities

According to the manifesto, long‑term funding enables more sustainable outcomes for individuals and communities across Wales.

A Vision for a Fairer Future

Across all six priority areas, the manifesto calls for partnership, long-term thinking and investment in the next generation. YMCA’s vision is clear: a Wales in which all young people have fair access to the opportunities they need to grow, feel supported and build a positive future.

As the 2026 Senedd Election approaches, YMCA is encouraging policymakers, partners and communities to work together to ensure Wales remains a place where young people can flourish.

Click below to download the full manifesto