A CHARITY that helps around 2,000 young people a year with entering the world of work will fold due to funding concerns.

For nearly 30 years, the Basingstoke Consortium has provided opportunities for young people to experience employment by partnering with businesses and schools.

However, due to funding uncertainty, ever-reducing budgets and fewer schools getting involved, the charity will cease operations from the end of December.

A letter was sent to staff, volunteers and partners on Monday, 16 October, informing them of the decision to close the charity.

Chairman of trustees Mike Rushworth told The Gazette that with depleted reserves, the charity felt it could no longer meet the standards of service it had previously offered.

Mr Rushworth said: “There has been a small drain on resources over the last few years.

“Our main focus now will be to consult with staff and other stakeholders to find alternative ways to maintain our services and employment of staff, possibly through other organisations.”

When looking back at the work of the charity, including being the force behind the Skillstree brand which promotes employability skills for young people, Mr Rushworth added it has been heartwarming to see the impact the Consortium has made on more than 2,000 students each year.

He added: “When I think of the number of students we have helped over the years and hearing of young people’s experience in work and the excitement they have has been great.

“To hear their experiences and that we were able to help them really warms you.”

In the charity’s near 30-year history, it has formed strong working relationships with schools across the borough, as well as organisations such as the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE), Wote Street People, De La Rue and Basingstoke College of Technology (BCoT).

Partners said it was dispiriting to hear such a charity will no longer exist in the borough.

Maxine Hart, operations director at Wote Street People said: “It is extremely sad to hear that the Consortium will be closing, especially as I feel they offered a great opportunity for getting children experience into the work place.

“It will really be missed.

"My only hope is that another organisation is able to keep some of the services the charity offered running.”

Anthony Bravo, principal of BCoT added: “We have worked in partnership with Basingstoke Consortium for many years and the charity has played an important role in providing impartial advice and guidance to the young people of Basingstoke.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the chairman and fellow trustees for their hard work and dedication.

“We hope the spirit of Basingstoke Consortium will live on and similar activity will be undertaken by partner organisations in the future.”

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s cabinet member for communities and community safety, Councillor Simon Bound said: “I am very sorry to hear that Basingstoke Consortium has announced it is to close at the end of this year.

“For more than 30 years, the charity has provided a stalwart service to the local community, connecting schools and businesses and supporting young people on their first steps on a successful career path.

“The borough’s young people and businesses have benefitted especially from the promotion of scientific, technical, engineering and maths qualifications, where there are skills needs and good job opportunities.

“The council has supported the Consortium in many different ways, including project funding and in-kind support.

“The Consortium is currently consulting with staff as well as liaising with other organisations to explore opportunities for some of the initiatives offered to be taken on by other partners.

“We are keen to work together with other organisations in the borough to look at how the vital work in giving young people work experience and developing employability skills can be continued.”