Step Forward update – 2 March 2026
Since 2023, we have delivered our Step Forward groups as part of YMCA East Surrey Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health services funded through the NHS’s Mental Health Investment Fund.
Unfortunately, our funding from the Mental Health Investment Fund has now ended. We have endeavoured to seek new funding for Step Foward but to date have not been successful.
As a result, we are sadly unable to continue with the number of Step Forward groups that we currently deliver. We are mindful of the important part that Step Forward plays in the lives of the young adults who attend. We are in the process of assessing whether we can continue with the current group based at YMCA Phoenix Centre, Tadworth. Sessions will be paused over the Easter holidays with a view to resuming sessions on Monday 20 April. We will be in touch to confirm this nearer the time.
We understand that this news may be disappointing but like all charities, YMCA East Surrey, must operate within the financial resources available and are dependent on external funding. We will be talking about the changes within our forthcoming sessions.
In the meantime, and whilst conversations progress, if you have any questions about the above, please contact Melissa Forrest (Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Manager): Melissa.Forrest@ymcaeastsurrey.org.uk or me. If you have any questions directly about the Step Forward group itself, please contact Hannah Shepherd: Hannah.Shepherd@ymcaeastsurrey.org.uk
Thank you so much for your continued support of Step Forward. We will be in contact again as soon as we can to confirm plans for the end of April.
Yours sincerely,
Judith Brooks
Head of Children and Young People and Deputy CEO
Judith.Brooks@ymcaeastsurrey.org.uk
