Partner Article

Future bleak for North East charities

The North East’s most vulnerable and disadvantaged communities are set to lose out as charities struggle to cope with the ongoing recession, says a report out today.

Voluntary organisations find demand soaring as they continue to be squeezed by the recession, according to the results of a new survey into the impact of the recession on the third sector in the North East.

The survey was conducted by VONNE, the North East voluntary sector umbrella body. It builds on the results of a previous survey carried out six months ago, which reported charities struggling to cope with demand alongside falling funding. These latest results show that the situation has worsened for charities and the vulnerable people they support.

Over two thirds of the organisations surveyed reported an increase in demand for their services as a result of the recession. At the same time, the majority of organisations report a decrease in funding. A quarter have reduced staffing levels this year and 10% expect to close down within the next twelve months. Small organisations are the most at risk with 33% expecting to close in the next year.

Jo Curry, Chief Executive of VONNE, said: “So far as it is possible to predict, the situation will get considerably worse before it gets better. Already we are beginning to see savage local authority cuts announced for the third sector.

“Northumberland County Council and Stockton Borough Council have announced cuts of 20% for next year and we are told that the sector there is, not surprisingly, ‘reeling’. Whatever the outcome of next year’s general election, there will be further huge cuts in public sector spending and this will quickly filter down to the voluntary and community sector.

“We ask the public to imagine what they would do without their local charities, as sadly this picture is becoming increasingly real. Go out and volunteer, give generously and ask of our region’s leaders to do all they can to support the life blood of our communities in this difficult time.”

Hardest hit are charities advising on family support, rural organisations, black and ethnic minority organisations and volunteering groups.

Mike Worthington, Chair of VONNE, said: “VONNE is committed to monitoring the situation and campaigning for funding to retain essential services. This follow up survey lists a number of recommendations which we will endeavour to implement on the sector’s behalf.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .