Cost of Living to have devastating impact on Voluntary Sector

The rate of inflation and the very steep rise in the cost of living will have a serious impact upon Worcestershire’s Voluntary and Community Sector and Social Enterprises (VCSE).

During the COVID pandemic, the ability to fund raise fell off a cliff and many charities were forced to eat into their reserves. Many of their volunteer workforce were forced to shield; some of whom have not returned. At the same time, the demand for services increased by 25%, which has not diminished post-Covid.

Struggling to recover financially and in restoring their workforce, the VCSEs are now confronted by the existential challenges of inflation and the cost of living crisis. The public generally may have less disposable income themselves to support charities. At the same time their own paid workforce are slipping behind both the public and private sectors as is reported in the recent report from Civil Society:

https://www.civilsociety.co.uk/news/charity-staff-paid-7-less-per-hour-than-wider-economy-research-finds.html

The demand for services is already increasing again and can be expected to accelerate as our communities and citizens try to cope with this crisis. Therefore, VCSE across Worcestershire ask that our people remember the less fortunate and continue to give as much as they possibly can to support their local charities. 

Available for interview and comment:

Mark Jackson OBE, Chair, Worcestershire Voices,
chair@worcestershirevoices.org.uk
07944 454173

Esther Passingham, Strategic Lead for the VCSE in Worcestershire,
Esther.Passingham@hwchamber.co.uk 
07912 389189