A young people's mental health charity that provided a 'beacon of hope and support' to the community will close at the end of this month due to 'unprecedented' financial strain.

YiS, a young people's mental health charity founded in Milton Keynes in 1981, has provided specialist support for those struggling in the area for over 40 years, offering non-waiting list services including wellbeing coaching, therapeutic counselling and drop-in support hubs.

Michelle Smyth, chair of YiS's trustee board, announced in a letter on the charity's website this week, however, that the non-profit would cease operations on December 31 following a period of "unprecedented strain".

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Ms Smyth attributed the closure to "significant funding challenges", adding: "Despite our best efforts, the current financial landscape has proven challenging, leading us to the difficult realisation that we can no longer sustain our mission."

She also paid tribute to the vital community service the organisation had provided over the last four decades, describing it as a "beacon of hope and support for countless young people".

In a farewell video on YiS's website, a spokesperson said that the charity had initially been able to adapt to a "changed world" after the COVID-19 pandemic, even holding a virtual festival for World Mental Health Day.