People facing homelessness set to benefit from proposed merger

Members of the local community who are facing homelessness and poverty could be set to benefit from a proposed merger between YMCA Derbyshire and Padley Group.

The two charities are in talks about joining forces to offer a host of services for those facing homelessness and poverty, including skills development, access to food and nutritional advice, wellbeing services, volunteering and signposting to healthcare, welfare, and housing.

As part of the merger, Padley Group would become known as Padley @‌YMCA Derbyshire.

Di Litchfield, business manager at Padley Group, said: “The impact we will deliver for people and families affected by homelessness across the city and county will be significantly increased.

“This merger will enable us to grow our funding, which means a stronger, more impactful organisation for the years to come.”

Gillian Sewell, chief executive of YMCA Derbyshire, said: “Padley Group is one of the most respected charities in our local area.

“We will be working together to develop the housing and support offer from both organisations.”

According to Gillian, both organisations have aligned visions – that no-one should be without a roof over their heads and that they should always have a safe space to learn and grow.

She said: “Many of those we serve benefit from the support of both organisations.

“It is always our aim to provide as much assistance as we can for our communities with limited resources, while keeping those who use our services at the centre of all our decisions.

“As we move forward, we also want to work with other members of the Derby and Derbyshire business community to address the wider spread issues of poverty in the city and county to work towards preventing homelessness.”

YMCA Derbyshire aim is to provide young people with a safe place to learn and grow, make them feel equipped to belong, contribute and prosper, and feel supported to be active in body, mind, and spirit.

Padley Group’s mission is to support and empower those affected by homelessness and poverty to improve their lives.

This is achieved by providing a range of support services to help them turn their lives around.

Speaking about the proposed merger with YMCA Derbyshire, Di said: “This will be a collaborative process, with both teams coming together as one to bring insight and expertise.

“We will listen to the people we are here for, as well as our patrons and other stakeholders to make sure we grow our influence and impact, and not reduce, or dilute what we do.”