As we step into 2026, we pause to reflect on the past year — what we’re grateful for, what we’re proud of, and how we’ve worked together to support children and young people across Sussex and Surrey.
In 2025, we strengthened our mission as the largest regional charity dedicated to preventing youth homelessness and supporting children and young people’s emotional and mental health.
It’s been a year of progress in the face of real challenges — rising demand, funding pressures, and systemic barriers. Thanks to your support, we’ve not only responded to crises but also focused on early intervention, safeguarding, and creating pathways to lasting stability for young people.
Here are some of the ways your contributions helped us make a real difference:
A year of gratitude and progress
Creating safe homes across Sussex and Surrey:
- Expanded supported housing in Eastbourne
We proudly opened our newly refurbished and expanded accommodation for young people facing homelessness in Eastbourne, funded by the Rotary Club of Eastbourne with local MP Josh Babarinde joining us to mark this milestone.
- Extended housing portfolio in Hove
Adding to our housing provision, we acquired a new portfolio in Hove — another step toward ending youth homelessness in our region.
Supporting mental health and wellbeing:
- High-quality counselling services
Students across three Sussex colleges gave overwhelmingly positive feedback on our counselling services, highlighting the transformative impact of accessible mental health support.
Championing safeguarding and prevention:
- Safe from exploitation
Our WiSE (What is Sexual Exploitation) team worked to protect young people from exploitation, emphasising early intervention, education and empowering young people to disclose when things aren’t right. We also shared practical advice to equip families and professionals to create safer environments.
Amplifying youth voices:
- Tenant satisfaction
We were delighted to see a 100% increase in responses to our annual tenant satisfaction survey, giving us a much richer understanding of how our residents feel about their homes and our services.
- National recognition
Some of our young people joined the Youth Matters Awards in London, celebrating their achievements and showing how far they’ve come.
- Filmmaking learning experience
Young people from our supported housing had a valuable learning experience creating a powerful short film on their lived experience – a moving insight into young people’s situations, times spent homeless and struggles with mental health.
Engaging communities and partnerships:
- Partners for Change
We launched Partners for Change – companies that join help us make a profound difference to the lives of children and young people in their community. In return, businesses receive recognition, promotional materials and regular webinars with our in-house experts on pertinent issues.
- Research partnership: sharing responsibility
We partnered with Sussex Nightstop and The Clocktower Sanctuary to share insights from new research amid a national increase in youth homelessness. The report is a call to action for a city-wide response, with recommendations that enable everyone to play a part in ensuring young people know that their city is here for them.
- Reimagining services for young people
We hosted an event in Brighton, bringing together leaders and changemakers to address the rising mental health needs and housing insecurity affecting thousands of young people across Sussex and Surrey. A Manifesto to the incoming Mayor of Sussex, and call to action to current leaders, has been developed from this. The film created by some of our young residents was shared at the event, marking World Homeless Day and World Mental Health Day.
Looking ahead to 2026
Building on this momentum, our vision is clear — deeper collaboration with local authorities, schools, and community partners to amplify youth voices and impact. The environment remains tough, but together we’ll keep driving prevention, safeguarding, and holistic support so every young person has the chance to thrive. Later this year we launch our new strategic framework for 2025-2031, outlining our direction of travel over the next five years.
Our CEO, Emily Brock, adds:
“This year, thanks to the commitment of our staff, partners, and supporters, YMCA DownsLink Group has made real progress — opening new homes, delivering vital mental health support, and creating safe spaces for young people across Surrey and Sussex. These achievements matter, especially in a year when rising youth homelessness and growing mental health needs have collided with funding pressures and systemic challenges.
“In 2026, we’ll build on this progress by deepening partnerships and using our collective influence to prevent homelessness, safeguard vulnerable young people, and strengthen mental health services, advice, and support. The road ahead won’t be easy, but together we can create the conditions for greater stability and hope for young people.”
Join us in making 2026 a year of prevention, safeguarding and hope. Your support helps us provide safe homes, mental health services and brighter futures for young people. Donate Today or Get Involved.
