Get Connected and YouthNet to merge, creating UK’s largest multi-channel support charity for 16-25 year olds

Leading energy efficiency and carbon reduction expert AgilityEco is pleased to announce that its partner charity, Get Connected intends to merge with fellow youth support charity YouthNet and that its CEO, Gearoid Lane, has been appointed Vice-Chair of the new charity.

The proposed merger will combine YouthNet’s extensive digital reach and Get Connected’s telephone helpline to create the UK’s largest multi-channel support charity for 16-25 year olds. The new charity will offer multi-issue support with a particular focus on mental wellbeing and creating opportunities through volunteering.

AgilityEco CEO Gearoid Lane has been appointed Vice-Chair of the new charity. Gearoid became Chair of Trustees for Get Connected in early 2012 and earlier this year, he helped to organise as well as complete the Ride 999 challenge, a fundraising event which saw a group of cyclists ride 900 miles over nine countries in nine days. The overall event raised £140,000 for Get Connected. 

Last year, YouthNet and Get Connected’s combined services reached 1.7 million young people. The new charity will aim to grow this to over 2 million by 2018; reaching 1 in 4 of the UK’s population of 16-25 year olds. The new charity will be led by YouthNet’s Chief Executive Chris Martin. He will be supported by a new trustee board drawn from both organisations. Luke Taylor, Global CEO of DigitasLBi has been appointed Chair.

Gearoid Lane, CEO of AgilityEco, said: AgilityEco is proud to have supported Get Connected, a charity providing a vital listening, support and signposting service to under-25s, of which I’ve been Chair of Trustees for almost four years. The proposed merger with YouthNet will enable the charity to make a step change to the holistic support it provides. We look forward to continuing our association with this important new charity in the future.”

The existing services of both charities will continue to operate as normal during and post-merger, ensuring there is no disruption for the young people who rely on them. The proposed merger will be completed by the end of 2015 with a new charity brand being launched to the public soon afterwards.

Read Get Connected’s announcement in full.