Volunteer and trustee placement charity Reach Volunteering has been saved from closure following a package of financial support provided by a group of nine funders and donors.

The money is enough to fund the charity’s work until the end of 2028 and give it time to "reshape its model" and focus on savings and sustainable income growth, according to a statement.

“After carefully assessing the new position, Reach’s Board of Trustees has reversed the decision to close with immediate effect,” says the statement, which details how its closure announcement earlier this month had “prompted an extraordinary response” from charities and volunteers.

“This overwhelming response was instrumental in prompting a remarkable effort by a small number of people who understood what the closure would mean for volunteering across the sector and were determined to find a way to prevent it,” it adds.

The funders involved in the rescue package are The William Grant Foundation, City Bridge Foundation, The Clothworkers Company, The Henry Smith Foundation, The Lloyds Bank Foundation, The Greater London Authority, This Day, Postcode Lottery UK and a “generous private donor”.

In halting the closure process the charity has also reversed any related operational and technical steps already taken, including renewing contracts and consulting with its staff.

Reach Volunteering chief executive Janet Thorne said: “This is an extraordinary and joyful reversal for Reach.

“The past few weeks have been intensely challenging and emotional for everyone associated with the charity, and we are deeply grateful for the overwhelming kindness and support we have received.

“The response to our closure announcement has been a powerful endorsement of Reach and of the critical role that skills-based volunteering plays across the voluntary sector. The stories people shared showed just how much our service matters to charities, volunteers and communities across the UK.

“We are hugely grateful to the funders and donors whose determination, collaboration and generosity made this turnaround possible, and to everyone who worked so hard to bring them together.”

“We are delighted that Reach is staying open and that we can continue the important work of connecting charities and groups with people who want to volunteer their skills to make a difference.”

Reach Volunteering’s chair Jane Ide added: “Securing new funding in this way is unprecedented and we are really hopeful that this collaborative action by funders is the start of a new conversation about support for infrastructure more widely.

"We will do everything we can to support and encourage this conversation.”

The charity has been placing volunteers and trustees with charities since 1979. In announcing its closure earlier this month it said "sustained funding pressures" amid a "shifting funding landscape" had been a key factor.

It had warned that funders were more focused on places and issues rather than supporting the sort of national charity support services it offers.

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