The Forecast - November 2023
News, views and spotlighted volunteering opportunities shared monthly.
Income for small charities shrinking faster than for larger charities
On 12th October the NCVO released its annual overview on the state of the UK voluntary sector, the 2023 Civil Society Almanac. The news is not good for the small charity sector. Overall income and volunteering support is down but smaller organisations are disproportionately affected, leaving them more exposed just as the cost of living crisis is increasing demand for their services.
Key insights include:
Data from 2020/21 shows the income of smaller organisations is shrinking at a much faster rate than that of larger organisations.
Levels of formal volunteering have declined since 2020/21. They remain well below pre-pandemic levels.
The Fore's summer 2023 monitoring and evaluation, which looks at the progress of 22 charities we backed a year ago, reflects these changes on the ground. Our charities have done incredibly well, growing their incomes and their reach in response to massively increased need, BUT they note that multi-year unrestricted grants are becoming scarcer, and the quest to bolster income streams is becoming ever more challenging thanks to the ongoing cost of living crisis.
Resilience is very hard to maintain in such circumstances - we are deeply concerned about burnout and encourage other funders to support longer term unrestricted funding ...
Meet the leader getting young people involved in designing the Police and the NHS
Join us for a lunchtime session on Friday 17th November where Mary Rose Gunn will be talking to Saeed Atcha MBE DL, the inspirational founder and CEO of Youth Leads UK.
Saeed founded Youth Leads when he was 15. As a teenager in care, he wanted to have a say in his future and get access to positive role models and networks. Entirely youth led, the organisation works across the North West, running leadership courses and partnering with the public sector to give youth a voice. They are currently exploring how they can roll out nationally.
Innovations in mental health support: Four charities with new solutions
For World Mental Health Day last month we spotlighted four innovative, cost-effective interventions that are improving mental health from the ground up.
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From breaking down hidden barriers for domestic abuse survivors, to embracing tech to make mental health support more accessible, these charities have some of the most exciting mental health solutions out there. Read our blog here to find out more...
This months volunteering opportunities
“It is so motivating what dynamic people can achieve, I feed off them and want to contribute." - Ian Gethin, volunteer with Football Beyond Borders
Pathfinders Neuromuscular Alliance is a user-led organisation for people with muscular dystrophy and related conditions. They provide advice, advocacy and support, helping people take control of their lives, make their own choices, and have a good quality of life.
They are currently looking at strategy and need help articulating their vision, mission and values and how best to communicate them.
Apollo Music Projects brings live classical music to children who might not otherwise experience it, supporting wellbeing and enhancing creativity and self-confidence.
Based in London, they are seeking a trustee with knowledge of governance, education or marketing and communications to join their Board of Trustees to help shape the next part of their development.
Support and Grow North East are an outreach organisation working at grass roots level with 11 of the most disadvantaged communities in the North Tyneside and Northumberland. Support and Grow are a female led charity, championing women and girls and exist to alleviate poverty and health inequalities.
They are seeking advice on IT as they upgrade their systems and on marketing as they write their first marketing strategy.
That sounds like a fantastic initiative! 🌳 As Anne Frank once said, “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” Your newsletter is certainly a beacon for positive change. Speaking of making a difference, there's an incredible sponsorship opportunity with the upcoming Guinness World Record of Tree Planting. Perhaps it's something your amazing volunteers and supporters would love to be part of. Check it out here: http://bit.ly/TreeGuinnessWorldRecord Keep inspiring! 🌍✨
🌟"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." - Winston Churchill. 💌 Your newsletter sounds like a fantastic resource for those looking to enrich their lives through giving back. Excited to dive in and explore the possibilities! 💫 #GivingBack #VolunteerOpportunities