Pro Bono Economics have published analysis of the latest quarterly VCSE Sector Barometer results, providing a snapshot of the sector's health as the nation starts to turn the corner on the post-pandemic squeeze on living standards.
The results of this Barometer, the fourth in a series conducted in partnership with Nottingham Trent University's National VCSE Data and Insights Observatory, are a tale of two sectors. As many larger charities have increased their workforce to help meet escalating demand, small charities are being held back by a lack of volunteers.
While the good news is there is a slight pick-up in optimism and some early signs of recovery in the sector, the overall position remains extremely challenging. The pressure is being especially felt among small charities, which make up 80% of the sector overall in the UK - with widespread concerns about dwindling volunteer numbers and precarious finances.
Read the analysis in full here: https://www.probonoeconomics.com/a-tale-of-two-sectors
With small charities forming the backbone of the UK’s social sector, it is important that policymakers, funders and firms recognise both the challenges at play and the benefits of stepping in to provide support and partnership for this crucial part of the country’s civil society.
A great number of responses were received nationally for the survey, a testament to the sector’s commitment to driving positive change. Your input will help to raise vital awareness of issues affecting the charity sector during a particularly challenging time.
This important piece of work gives the North East an opportunity to be better represented within a national picture, and provides useful information at both a regional and local level. Only a total of 52 North East organisations responded out of a national total of 576. We need as many organisations as possible to engage in future consultations so that we can ensure our region’s voice is represented more proportionally to ensure our voice is a key part of the conversation.
An overview of the data gathered can be seen in the VCSE Barometer dashboard, available here.