YMCA Cornwall Reaches £250,000 Fundraising Target and Completes First New Flat

YMCA Cornwall has reached its £250,000 fundraising target in under nine months, allowing the charity to complete one new self-contained flat for young people at risk of homelessness.

The total was raised through support from the local community, councils, businesses, and several major contributions from trusts and foundations.

Campaign launched in June 2025

The charity’s Your Help, Their Future campaign was launched in June 2025 with a £70,000 donation from The Duke of Cornwall’s Charitable Foundation. The funding was aimed at building four self-contained flats to support young people facing homelessness.

YMCA Cornwall currently supports 50 young people who were homeless or at risk, with a further 46 on the waiting list.

First flat completed

Helen Wilson-Prowse, Head of Operations at YMCA Cornwall, said the response had exceeded expectations.

She said: “We are blown away by the speed and scale of the support we’ve received. On behalf of the whole team at YMCA Cornwall, we want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has backed the campaign.”

She added: “Reaching this £250,000 target and being able to complete one of the four new flats is a testament to how much our community cares about the future of our young people, as well as the dedication of the team here.”

Community support praised

High Sheriff of Cornwall and representative of The Duke of Cornwall’s Charitable Foundation, Geraint Richards, said he was proud to see the progress being made.

He said: “I am immensely proud to see the impact of this project taking shape. We were delighted to support YMCA Cornwall with a donation to help launch this campaign, and it is inspiring to see how the contribution, combined with the extraordinary generosity of the community, has brought the first new home to completion so quickly.

“These new flats will provide young people with safety, stability, and the opportunity to build a brighter future. I very much look forward to visiting later this month and meeting the dedicated team whose commitment has made this achievement possible.”

Work continues on remaining homes

Helen said work is continuing on the remaining three flats, with a focus on managing rising construction costs.

She said: “We are making great headway on the other three builds and are currently working with suppliers to secure the best possible value. With construction costs continuing to rise we are being extremely careful and proactive in managing project costs so that every pound raised is used wisely for the benefit of the young people we support.”

A new start for residents

One resident, Michael, described the impact the new accommodation has had on his life.

He said: “It’s changed my life coming here. I’m moving into my own flat and it’s gorgeous, and I feel so much joy knowing I’m moving to such a nice place.”