A total of 1,100 small charities have written to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, calling for better recognition of the “vital role” of small charities in “communities across the country”.
The letter has been delivered to Sunak as part of Small Charity Week to highlight small charities’ call for greater support.
They point out that small charities make up the vast majority (96%) of charities in the UK and are are facing “cost of living pressures, layered on top of the challenges of the pandemic”.
Charities are also facing rising demand following a decade of austerity measures by the Conservative government, including when it was in coalition with the Lib Dems.
“If small charities aren’t supported through these difficult times, we risk losing a crucial national asset,” states their letter.
“Every day, small charities are closing or reducing services. We are exhausted, burnt out and the mental health of our staff and volunteers is suffering.”
It adds: “We truly hope that one day many of us will not be needed. And that we will proudly close our doors for the right reasons, knowing we have achieved our visions.
“In the meantime, we do not want platitudes, we want to be heard, especially as your government continues to make important spending decisions. We invite you, as Prime Minister, to visit small charities so you can fully understand the critical role these organisations play.”
Sunak is being urged to meet with representatives of small charities sitting on the NCVO’s Small Charities Advisory Board to discuss solutions to safeguard their future.
“Millions of people lives are positively impacted by small charities every year, and many would be at a loss if that stopped,” said NCVO chief executive Sarah Vibert.
“But we are seeing more and more small voluntary organisations close, and our members are contacting us saying they are facing devasting decisions as the tide of demand threatens to overwhelm communities.
“Small charities have said they need decision makers and funders to tackle funding contracts ensuring they’re proper and fair. And for the public to help with donations and volunteers. We need to rally behind small charities and give them the support they have so willingly shown us.”
Earlier this week 901 charities had signed the petition, which breached the 1,000 mark by Thursday when it was delivered to Sunak.
901 organisations have already signed the letter to the Prime Minister supporting small charities. Can you make it reach 1,000?
— NCVO (@NCVO) June 21, 2023
Please sign, share, retweet - by midnight tonight
⏱️🙏✍️👇 #SmallCharityWeek #SmallCharitiesTogether https://t.co/cqxrES91nZ
Among signatories is Emma Cantrell, the chief executive and founder of First Days Children’s Charity.
"We help families who are struggling financially. The last three years has seen the charity grow rapidly in response to ever growing demand. We have encountered crisis after crisis from Covid to the Ukrainian refugee crisis and now cost of living," she said.
"We have an exceptional team and the work we’re doing is meaningful and changing lives. But we’re running out of time waiting for support or funding from oversubscribed grants. I’m terrified that our work is going to have to stop at a time when it’s needed most.
“I feel I’m constantly and relentlessly pushing boulders up a mountain and it takes its toll on even the strongest of people. There are so many people like me, who are passionate, dedicated and committed but also exhausted and so disheartened that our work, the things we do to keep society functioning, are not being fully recognised by central government.”
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