Two YMCA charities have merged in a bid to widen their reach and run their services more effectively.
YMCA Milton Keynes and YMCA Northamptonshire have become YMCA South Midlands following the merger, which was legally completed last week. Full integration is expected to be completed by the end of September.
The charities described the merger as a “proactive, strategic step” to share expertise, leading to better outcomes for service users.
“We already share the same missions and values, and these will remain unchanged,” a spokesperson for the charities said.
YMCA Milton Keynes recorded an income of £4.6m and had 80 employees, according to its accounts for the year to the end of March 2025.
YMCA Northamptonshire’s income was £534,074 in the same period and it has no employees because its staff were already employed by YMCA Milton Keynes and recharged to Northamptonshire YMCA as a management charge, accounts show.
The charities did not respond when contacted for more details about any job losses or redundancies as a result of the merger.
Simon Green, chief executive of YMCA Milton Keynes and YMCA Northamptonshire, will lead the merged charity and all trustees will be transferred to the merged charity’s board.
Green said: “We’ve been proudly serving Milton Keynes and Northamptonshire for years – but we’ve decided it’s time to come together as one organisation.
“By joining forces, we can do even more for the people who rely on us.
“This merger brings our teams, services and communities into one stronger organisation, helping us support more young people and families across the region.
“Our focus remains entirely on improving outcomes for the young people and communities we serve, and together we can go further for those who need us most.”
Jennifer Walker was chair of both charities and will lead the YMCA South Midlands board.
“Becoming YMCA South Midlands represents a significant step forward in strengthening both our governance and our capacity to deliver on our organisational purpose,” Walker said.
“By uniting our boards and bringing together our collective expertise, we are creating a governance structure that is clearer, stronger and better equipped to guide us into the future.
“At the heart of this merger is our drive to create a safe, inclusive and supportive place where young people can build their independence to belong, contribute and thrive.”
She said the merger was “more than an administrative change”, and represented a renewed commitment to good governance, shared values and the charity’s service users.
“By combining our resources and aligning our vision, we are ensuring that YMCA South Midlands is not only resilient but positioned to make an even greater impact across our region.”