The impact of the pandemic continues to be felt by voluntary and community organisations as they express concerns about their future.

A survey of voluntary and community organisations in Leeds, during October, found that more than a third (36%) of organisations may not stay open beyond March 2021.

Charities and voluntary groups across Leeds were invited to take part in the ‘Voluntary & Community Sector (VCS) Resilience Survey’ to help measure the impact that the coronavirus continues to have. Voluntary Action Leeds (VAL) co-ordinated this survey, along with other Third Sector organisations and the Universities of Hull, Leeds and Sheffield.

Over a third (36%) of organisations have needed to use their financial reserves since March 2020 in order to survive.

Nearly 90% of organisations who responded rely on support from volunteers to deliver their services. However 71% of organisations say they have reported a decrease in volunteer numbers, these organisations face an uncertain future and many vital support networks for vulnerable people are at risk.

Other key findings to highlight include:

• 78% of organisations have had to close or modify a service they provide.
• 36% of respondents feel that they may be at financial risk beyond March 2021.
• 74% of organisations thought digital exclusion was an issue for people that they supported.

Chris Hollins, Chair of Voluntary Action Leeds (VAL) and Third Sector Leeds (TSL) said:

“The co-operation which has been demonstrated during the COVID pandemic, between third sector organisations, the involvement of people and communities from across Leeds, and the rapid deployment of resources by all sectors has demonstrated just how important it is that the city works together. Individual agencies, volunteers, and staff from organisations throughout Leeds have shown just how reliant we all are, upon each other. And the third sector has done what it does best, responding quickly, flexibly, and making best use of the limited resources which are available to us. What we must not do, as this crisis moves to the next stage, and a new year, is lose the strengths of the sector, but make sure we are still here to pick up the next challenge, when it comes long.”

 

The full reports are available to view and download:

• Third Sector Resilience in Leeds: Working through COVID-19
• Third Sector Resilience, West Yorkshire & Harrogate: Working through COVID-19

 

       

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