Youth support charities YouthNet and Get Connected have announced they intend to merge.
The new charity will be led by YouthNet chief executive Chris Martin. He will be supported by a new trustee board drawn from both organisations. Luke Taylor, global CEO of DigitasLBi, will chair the charity and AgilityEco CEO Gearoid Lane will be vice chair.
Get Connected CEO Jessica Taplin will step down to join V-Inspired as their new chief executive in 2016.
Both charities are committed to providing support to young people under 25, whatever their issue and whenever they need they help.
Existing services of both charities will continue to operate as normal during and post-merger, the charities said. The proposed merger will be completed by the end of 2015 with a new charity brand being launched soon afterwards.
Youthnet had income of £2.2m in the year to June 2014, according to the most recent accounts filed with the Charity Commission. The charity supports young people in need, using digital skills and channels in particular.
Get Connected provides a free, confidential, and multi-issue helpline for people under 25. The charity had income of £1.3m in the year to March 2014.
The trustees and chief executives of both charities have over the past 12 months been exploring ways in which they might work more closely together. In a joint statement, the charities said the move has come in response to escalating demand for services.
The charities said a merger would provide a single, large scale, multi-channel support service for young people, and avoid duplication in the support on offer.
Young people needing help will be able to access a single start point for support, the charities said, that can also sign post to other relevant services inside and outside the sector.
Martin said young people today face “unprecedented challenges”, which have resulted in an “epidemic” of mental health issues.
“We know they reach out for support first though digital, social and mobile, yet there is no single, multi-channel support service for them. By combining YouthNet’s digital reach and expertise with Get Connected’s excellent 1-2-1 telephone support service, we can offer young people a recognisable, safe and trusted place to turn whenever they need it.”
Taplin said collaboration and partnership are key to ensuring more efficient and effective services can be delivered into the future.
“Since both our organisations were founded they have been committed to supporting young people, using the power of volunteers and social action. Our services naturally complement each other, sharing the same values and non-judgemental approach, so it makes good sense for us to merge.”
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