A Northamptonshire YMCA merger has created a new South Midlands organisation, expanding the county’s reach into a wider regional structure that includes Milton Keynes.
YMCA Northamptonshire has combined with YMCA Milton Keynes to form YMCA South Midlands, bringing operations, governance and service delivery under one organisation. The move reflects a broader shift across the voluntary sector, as charities consolidate to strengthen resilience and respond to increasing demand.
The new structure positions the Northamptonshire organisation at the centre of a wider regional network, while maintaining delivery across its existing communities. Services will continue to include housing, wellbeing and community support, with a focus on improving coordination across both Northamptonshire and neighbouring areas.
Simon Green, chief executive of YMCA South Midlands, said the decision followed a period of close collaboration between the two organisations. “We’ve been proudly serving Milton Keynes and Northamptonshire for years, but we’ve decided it’s time to stop running as two separate charities and come together as one,” he said.
He said the merger would enable the organisation to operate more effectively at scale while retaining its local presence. “By joining together, we can achieve even more for the people who rely on us. This merger brings our teams, services and communities into one stronger organisation, enabling us to support more young people and families across the region,” he said.
The organisation said its core mission remains unchanged, with a continued focus on providing safe accommodation, trusted support and opportunities for young people. Operating across a broader geography is expected to support more consistent delivery, particularly where demand crosses local authority boundaries.
The legal merger was completed on 1 April, marking the formal launch of YMCA South Midlands.
