BAFTA-award winning studio ustwo games has partnered with UK Youth to provide grants to local youth organisations and help raise awareness across the country as part of the charity’s cost of living crisis response.
The partnership will see ustwo games donate over £100,000 as part of its commitment to contribute 3% of profits from the unique ‘Desta: The Memories Between’ game to fund youth initiatives. Just as importantly, it will aim to raise the profile of youth workers and youth services in the UK, aligning with themes addressed in the game, which explores relationships and issues faced by many young people – through the eyes of non-binary protagonist Desta.
ustwo studios’ contribution will comprise up to £81,000 in grants for up to three different youth organisations, including one in the Northwest of England – an area that features prominently in Desta’s storyline. In addition, £27,000 will be made available as unrestricted funding to UK Youth in support of its ongoing cost of living crisis activity.
Separately, a further donation of up to £20,000 will be made via matched funds raised by players of Desta and the wider ustwo games supporter community via JustGiving, which will also be mobilised to create awareness of UK Youth and its work.
In addition, ustwo games will work with UK Youth to produce a documentary film set in a London youth centre to highlight the impact of the cost of living crisis on young people. All of these efforts together will help to ensure youth workers remain active and can continue to support those in need during difficult times.
As a registered B Corp, ustwo games is committed to leveraging the power of games for positive impact.
Vicky Chenery, Head of Partnerships and Philanthropy at UK Youth, said:
“Young people need our support now more than ever. The cost of living crisis means youth organisations are increasingly having to meet young people’s most basic needs such as hot meals, hygiene products, or a warm place to do their homework.
“This is why we’re delighted with this partnership with ustwo games. Their contribution will allow the youth workers to continue making a lasting positive impact on the lives of young people.”
Maria Sayans, CEO at ustwo games, said:
“When speaking to the UK Youth team we learned that one of the biggest struggles facing youth services right now is the very real impact of the cost of living crisis. Youth organisations need help funding basic, essential services, such as covering the costs of heating a premises. Youth workers themselves are reliant on food banks.
“This realisation was shocking to us – that things as basic as being able to pay the heating bill this winter or provide a meal are dramatically impacting and threatening youth work, which is critically important to so many people’s lives. Our hope is that this partnership will support the great work UK Youth does to support the sector and the people who so need its help.”
