Ypeople delivers a range of support including mentoring, housing advice, services for people whose lives have been affected by homelessness, throughcare services, counselling and after school care to vulnerable individuals across Scotland and currently operates in Edinburgh, Glasgow, East Dunbartonshire, North and South Lanarkshire, Orkney, Fife and Highland.

The charity’s origins date back to 1824 with the founding of Glasgow Young Men’s society for religious improvement. It became a YMCA in 1848, known as YMCA Glasgow, the forerunner of the YMCA movement.

Following extensive consultation with service users, staff, and other stakeholders, it rebranded as Ypeople in 2010 in recognition of the organisation’s changing ethos.

Joe Connolly, CEO of Ypeople, said: “We’re extremely proud of our longstanding YMCA history but the growth in our range of services and expansion of our geography means that as an organisation we’re no longer compatible with the YMCA model of a federation of local services. 

“As a result, via a mutual agreement with YMCA Scotland, we’ve taken the decision to disaffiliate from the Association.

“The charity has undergone many changes over the last 195 years, but our central purpose remains the same – supporting positive change in people’s lives. We offer a wide range of services to reach the widest demographic we can in Scotland. We work hard for those who need us, and we will always provide services to achieve the most we can for our service users.”

Ypeople set up the Ypeople group in January 2017 following a merger with YWCA Scotland – The Young Women’s Movement and they are keen to see expansion of this group.

Mr Connolly added: “We wish YMCA Scotland and the wider YMCA movement well for the future and will continue to value and cherish our rich heritage.”