Founded up in 1884, the charity has a long history of improving lives, with its current activity helping over 12,000 people each year across Devon and Somerset. It offers a wide range of services, including six nurseries providing accessible high-quality early years education, accommodation services to support people at risk of homelessness and a variety of youth and community provisions, offering support and advice as well as health and wellbeing opportunities.

As part of the charity’s commitment to provide young people with training and education, it also runs three hotels and a wedding and event venue. These social enterprises are staffed by apprentices who are supported by experienced hospitality professionals, enabling them to build experience and start their careers.

The Group – which covers an area ranging from North Somerset to Devon – has an overarching aim to empower communities, regardless of their faith or gender, reaching out to some of the most vulnerable in society.

The loan from Triodos will refinance some of YMCA Dulverton Group’s existing lending and support the extension of its activities, enabling a tailoring of services to individual communities and supporting the charity in its next phase of expansion into new regional branches.

As part of this growth the Group will continue implementing its environmental impact policy, with electric company vehicles planned from 2022, reduction of single-use plastics to zero across all its sites by the close of 2022 (achieved in hotels), and continuing sourcing local food suppliers for each hotel and nursery.

Martin Hodgson, CEO of YMCA Dulverton Group, commented: “From the moment we contacted Triodos, we have felt supported in our aims in that we each understand the most important chain is why, then how, and then what.” He added: “Working with a bank that shares this approach can only benefit the communities we serve and increase the impact of our work.”

Phillip Bate, business banking regional manager for the South West at Triodos Bank UK, added: “YMCA Dulverton offers critical services for some of society’s most vulnerable young people, offering help and hope. We’re delighted to play a part in helping the charity increase its impact across Devon and Somerset.”

This loan continues the bank’s ongoing support for YMCA Groups across the country. In 2020 Triodos it worked with Nottinghamshire YMCA, offering substantial loan funding alongside a successful campaign on its crowdfunding platform, that raised £3m to fund the completion of a community and activity village based in Newark-on-Trent.

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For further information, please contact:

    Ellie James

    Notes to editors

    About YMCA Dulverton Group

    YMCA Dulverton Group is a community charity, delivering services to over 12,000 children, young people and families across Somerset and Devon every year. It was founded in 1884, with the vision to be a leader in transforming communities so that all children, young people and families can truly belong, contribute and thrive.

    The Group’s work is vast, covering key areas such as: accommodation, health and wellbeing, family work, support and advice and training and education.

    About Triodos Bank 

    Founded in 1980, Triodos Bank has become a frontrunner in sustainable banking globally. As an independent bank that promotes responsible and transparent banking, it does not see any conflict between a focus on people and the planet and a good financial return. Instead it believes that they reinforce each other in the long-term.

    Triodos Bank has banking activities in the Netherlands, Belgium, the UK, Spain and Germany as well as Investment Management activities based in the Netherlands but active globally. Triodos Bank co-founded the Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV), a network of 63 sustainable banks. Together these banks want to grow sustainable banking and its impact on the real economy substantially.

    Triodos Bank UK Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Triodos Bank NV. Registered Office: Deanery Road, Bristol, BS1 5AS. Registered in England and Wales Company No. 11379025. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority under registration number 817008. VAT reg no 793493383.