A volunteering charity has announced that it will shut after more than 45 years due to sustained funding pressures.
Reach Volunteering, established in 1979, has announced that it will undergo a 12-week closure process following its board’s decision.
The charity was founded to provide free or low-cost skills access for minimally resourced charities and public organisations.
In a statement, it said it was not closing “because our work has lost its value” and that “the need for what we do has never been more urgent, and our impact has never been greater”.
“However, a shifting funding landscape has made it increasingly difficult to sustain our work,” the charity said.
“As funders have narrowed their focus to particular places, issues and groups, funding for services that enable charities and community groups of all kinds – especially the smallest – to build their skills, capacity and connections has declined, leaving no viable path for Reach to continue.”
The charity said it is closing at the peak of its impact and that small, grassroots and volunteer organisations would particularly be affected by the closure.
A challenging year
In its 2024 accounts, Reach Volunteering said it did not generate sufficient surplus to cover the cost of its core service, and was “partially reliant” on grant funding.
“Given the competition for grant funding, and reduced options for infrastructure organisations such as Reach, this is a challenge,” the charity said.
In 2024, Reach Volunteering received £114,800 in grants from other charities, up from £104,000 the year prior.
It reported a total operating deficit of just under £20,000 in 2024, while in 2023 it had a surplus of a similar amount.
Reach Volunteering’s income peaked at £531,000 in 2020 over the last five years and was £489,000 most recently.
The London-based organisation placed a record 5,996 volunteers and trustees with charities and community groups in 2025.
‘Incredibly painful decision’
Janet Thorne, chief executive of Reach Volunteering, said: “I’m heartbroken to share the news that Reach is closing. Our service is thriving, but the funding simply isn’t there.”
Jane Ide, chair of Reach Volunteering, said a managed closure was the only responsible choice.
“This is an incredibly painful decision,” she said.
“Reach has played a crucial role in the sector.
“We hope Reach’s closure will prompt a serious and constructive conversation among funders, policymakers and sector leaders about how the infrastructure connecting people, charities and communities will be sustained in the future.”
Ide added that the organisation would support its users through the closure process and work with partners to share digital assets and learning frameworks where possible.
