A Fond Farewell to The Glebe Centre, Walsall.

After years of supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our community, YMCA has made the difficult decision to close The Glebe Centre in March 2027, ending more than 50 years of dedicated service supporting some of Walsall’s most vulnerable people.

The Centre which has been managed by YMCA for the past 13 years, has provided a vital lifeline for individuals experiencing homelessness, housing insecurity and drug and alcohol-related challenges. Over the years The Glebe Centre has benefited from a range of funding sources, including commissioned contracts from Walsall Council and grants from organisations such as The National Lottery Community Fund. However, despite extensive efforts to secure ongoing funding, the combination of increasing rental and energy costs and the end of key National funding streams, have ultimately led to the decision to close.

Over the coming months, YMCA will work closely with Walsall Council, partner organisations and service users to ensure individuals are signposted and connected to alternative support services within the borough wherever possible.

The impact of the service speaks for itself. Between 2020 and 2026, The Glebe Centre:

• Supported 87 individuals into accommodation on 97 occasions
• Cooked and served 5,750 meals
• Served 6,138 hot drinks
• Washed 178 loads of laundry for service users
• Provided 147 bus tickets to help people attend accommodation viewings, medical appointments and other essential services
• Supported 659 individuals to access shower facilities
• Distributed 744 items of clothing
• Provided a needle exchange service to 1,146 people
• Delivered 842 Health & Wellbeing sessions
• Facilitated 265 Cook & Eat sessions
• Organised 68 trips out for service users

The Glebe Centre has always been about more than meeting immediate needs. It has been a place where people could rebuild confidence, improve their wellbeing, develop life skills and take positive steps towards a brighter future. Many service users formed friendships, accessed support services, secured accommodation and found the stability needed to move forward with their lives. The Centre was recognised nationally in 2017 when it received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, highlighting the commitment of its volunteers and the impact of its work across the community.

How You Can Continue to Support YMCA

Although The Glebe Centre is closing, YMCA’s work continues. We warmly invite supporters to continue backing YMCA Walsall Housing on Green Lane and the wider YMCA Black Country Group. Through donations, fundraising, volunteering, corporate partnerships and prayer, you can help us continue working alongside young people, individuals and families across the Black Country.

Jane Hayward, Centre Manager at The Glebe Centre, said: “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the people of Walsall and the wider community for their unwavering support over the years. Whilst funding has reduced, the generosity of local people has only ever increased. We have been fortunate to receive regular donations of food, essential items and financial support from local churches, schools, businesses, Martin Bateman, from our local ASDA and countless individuals who care deeply about helping others.”

Thank you for being part of The Glebe’s story. We hope you’ll continue to be part of YMCA’s story too.