Our strategy
Adventure
For the first time and a lifetime
Our 10-year strategy, refreshed.
As we approach our centenary in 2030, our commitment to increasing access to adventure for all remain as strong as ever.
Published in 2020, our 10-year strategy opened doors for major impact programmes and strategic partnerships that have connected people with each other, the outdoors, nature and heritage.
With this mid-way strategy refresh in 2025, we acknowledge that in a changed world, we must focus our activities to deliver the impact people need now and in the future — especially young people and those accessing adventures for the first time.
To deepen our impact, we have refined our mission and strategic priorities to concentrate on activities that make the biggest difference and deliver them with purpose and consistency across our unique hostel network.
Please download your copy to find out more about our ambitions and approach to improving the confidence, connection and sense of belonging of all who stay with YHA.
Downloads
Download YHA strategy (pdf, 2.7mb)
Download 2-page summary (pdf, 0.3mb)
Lawrlwytho
Lawrlwytho strategaeth YHA (pdf, 2.6mb)
Lawrlwytho’r crynodeb 2-dudalen (pdf, 0.3mb)
Our strategic priorities
- We will build a strong base of support for YHA and the hostelling cause through deeper engagement with staff, members, donors, volunteers, partners and funders.
- We will maintain a viable network of quality, affordable and sustainable hostels, supported by an efficient central office, that generates an annual surplus.
- We will enable everyone to access our places and use our network to connect our guests to people, nature, heritage and physical activity in and around our hostels.
- We will increase access to overnight stays in hostels, supporting opportunities for anyone who would benefit from the first-time experience and empowering them towards self-led adventures.
- We will subsidise first-time overnight stays for young people least likely to access experiences in nature and heritage, targeting those who stand to benefit the most from an overnight stay.
Delivering our strategy
Delivering our strategy
We want to make a big difference. But we cannot do it alone.
Strategic partnerships will help us achieve our ambitions and amplify our message. If you would like to learn more about YHA’s strategy and discuss how we can work together, we’d love to hear from you.
Ways to help
Help us connect people to each other, nature and heritage. Together we can help more people access adventures that build confidence, connection and belonging.