Base 51: Embracing onwards and upwards determination
A Nottingham youth charity will be allowed to stay in its city centre base in the short-term, it has emerged.
During the last few years, Base 51, a youth charity, has encountered various obstacles due to the loss of substantial funding and support from Nottingham City Council.
The charity says the Council has reduced funding for youth programs throughout the city, with the complete withdrawal of their financial support from Base 51 in early 2022.
Base 51 focuses primarily on youths aged 11-25 in Nottingham, providing a range of services including counselling, specialised trauma programs to address violent crime and exploitation, LGBTQIA+ support groups and a youth club equipped with a recording studio and dance studio.
Additionally, they provide valuable resources such as showers, laundry facilities, a clothes bank, food parcels and a kitchen where hot meals are prepared.
Alterations to funding has resulted in the charity facing the likelihood of relocating from the NGY building, a purpose-built facility acquired by the Council through the government funded my place youth scheme in 2012.
Negotiations with the council are on-going, but Base 51 will be allowed to continue operating in the Castle Gate building until March 2024.
Jo Jepson, CEO of Base 51, said: “It’s been a challenging time, however, as always, we have put the needs of young people first and are now coming out the other side. We are feeling positive for the future but still need the support from our community and local businesses to help the charity to continue to grow onwards and upwards.”
