YMCA Teesdale is to give up its Barnard Castle premises because of financial stress, but officers have vowed to continue to support young people in the town and the wider region.
The organisation has occupied 46 Galgate for the past 20 years.
Operations director Rachel Dyne said the decision was not taken lightly but was needed to create financial sustainability.
She added that a loss of funding because of the coronavirus pandemic had forced a rethink about how the YMCA offers its services in the
area.
The youth group has operated in the town since the Second World War.
Ms Dyne said: “Thanks to Teesdale Action Partnership and North Star Housing, we are able to continue with youth work in the local community but we are still left with a funding gap. Leasing out Galgate lessens this gap.”
The YMCA was also not able to use the Galgate premises throughout the pandemic because it is “not suitable for social-distancing” .
Ms Dyne said the YMCA had, however, been able to keep in touch with young people online.
She said the group would operate its activities from village halls and other venues until a more permanent solution is found. Street-based youth work is also on the cards, she added.
Ms Dyne said: “YMCA Teesdale will be delivering youth and community work across the local area but it will be doing it slightly differently.
“With all organisations that deliver services such as YMCA Teesdale, the Covid-19 pandemic has forced us all to think creatively and differently about how we deliver our work, how we ensure young people are supported to be happy, healthy and connected without increasing the risk of coronavirus.
“As these plans progress, keep an eye on our social media to find out more.
“Many organisations face many different challenges coming out of lockdown, addressing the new reality in which we all now live and work.
“However, YMCA Teesdale is confident and committed to the community of Teesdale.”
