Cost of Living Resources for the VCSE

We have collated a range of resources around the cost-of-living crisis specifically for the VCSE. If you are aware of further resources that could be added, please email victoria.logan-coulsey@voda.org.uk.

Charity Digital’s Cost-of-Living content aims to educate and empower charities during moments of economic uncertainty, helping them find affordable solutions to various problems, and broadly giving them tools to continue providing for service users.  Access the Charity Digital – Cost-of-Living Hub here.

Latest NCVO latest research reveals the alarming extent of the crisis facing our sector this winter.

With costs climbing, funding falling and demand increasing, this is not just a cost of living crisis. For charities, this is a Cost of Giving Crisis.

85% of charities spoken to in a recent survey said this winter will be as tough – or even tougher (54%) – than it was last year. If the sector doesn’t get the support it urgently needs, 1 in 5 charities could be forced to close until things improve, leaving people and communities at risk.

NSCO is raising awareness of this crisis and ensure charities get the support they need. They also have a range of support for you this winter, including online resources, guidance, helpdesk, webinars and training courses.

View the Cost of Giving Crisis resources here | NCVO

During early 2023, the Emergencies Partnership has been producing a series of insights bulletins, focussing on the cost-of-living crisis. These briefings brought together insights, including data, case studies and reports, on how the crisis is affecting communities around the country as well as sharing best practice from partners and the wider sector.

All four of the bulletins – Fuel Poverty, Food Insecurity, Mental Health and Public Health – are now available on their website.

Charities have been a lifeline to millions this winter – providing food, warmth and support for the vulnerable – but new research has found just half of charities are confident they can afford to meet their current overheads, including energy, rent and supplies. The Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) surveyed more than 1,300 organisations across the UK over the previous four challenging months. Read more.

easyfundraising turns the everyday online shopping of your staff, members, volunteers, and supporters into funds for your voluntary organisation, non-profit, charity, or CIC. When they use the easyfundraising website or app to shop with leading retailers, the retailer sends your organisation a free donation at no additional cost.

There are over 5,900 retailers available to shop with, including Amazon, eBay, Argos, Tesco Groceries, John Lewis, Compare The Market Car Insurance, Confused.com Car Insurance, Trainline, Booking.com, Currys, Aviva, M&S, Debenhams, Waitrose, Direct Line Car Insurance. It means that no matter what your supporters are buying online, from travel and holidays to fashion, homewares, insurance, and groceries – they can earn free donations.

Your organisation can also generate donations when making business purchases – there are over 200 business retailers like Viking, Staples, and Dell who will donate when you shop with them for tech, office supplies, business travel, and even business insurance.

24% of people shop online twice a week now so this is a simple way for your community of supporters to continue to raise money for your organisation during the cost of living crisis without it costing them. Read more

The number of charities in financial difficulty is expected to rise this year as a result of the increasing economic challenges facing the sector. This is the view of a North East restructuring expert, Chris Ferguson, who is Head of Recovery & Insolvency at RMT Accountants & Business Advisors based in Gosforth, Newcastle.

Chris warns that trustees need to urgently focus their attention on access to accurate financial information to ensure they are prepared for the challenging economic conditions ahead. “Our advice would be that seeking support as early as possible widens the possible options available to help and significantly improves the chances of implementing a successful restructuring or turnaround of the organisation.

“Initial advice is often free, so there is no cost for seeking independent professional advice as early as possible.” Any trustees that require a free initial discussion can contact Chris Ferguson on 0191 256 9500 or by email at chris.ferguson@r-m-t.co.uk or Chris Wray on 0191 256 9500 or by email at chris.wray@r-m-t.co.uk.

Read the full article here. 

This article from Zurich Insurance discusses the emergence of ‘warm spaces’, and the steps community organisations should consider taking to manage the associated risks.

NCVO examines the key trends that will impact charities and volunteering in 2023. Here we consider what the cost of living crisis could mean for us all in the months ahead. Read more.

Charity Digital explores how charities can embrace sustainable finance in times of financial uncertainty, including during the ongoing cost-of-living crisis Read more.

Society Matters cic has been commissioned to lead the delivery of the ‘Working with Employers’ pillar of the Child Poverty Prevention Programme on behalf of the North of Tyne Combined Authority. If you’re a local employer you can get free access to a unique programme of practical workshops, insights, advice and information that will have a direct and tangible impact on the financial wellbeing of your staff, in a non-intrusive and supportive way. Read more. 

The Charity Commission recognises that many charities are facing difficult circumstances resulting from rapidly increasing costs. These financial challenges can have a major effect on charities and those who depend on them. This Charity Commissi0n guidance is for trustees, especially trustees of smaller charities, who may need help when facing difficult decisions about their charity’s financial position. It does not directly address wider issues that those in the charity may face, such as staff hardships, but guidance is available for trustees from other organisations to support with this. Read more.

There’s no escaping the undeniable rise in the cost of living and it’s no wonder that charities are wondering how to react. So what can they do to keep making a difference to those that need them?

The Access Group has gathered voices from in and out of the sector to hear what advice they’d give – with some actionable tips on what to do next. Download the report here.

Business in the Community (BITC) have launched a new cost-of-living action plan for businesses that details 12 calls to action to support you to be faster, braver and bolder in your response to the ongoing crisis. Read more here.

Charity Digital explores how charities can manage rising service demands amid the cost-of-living crisis. Read here.

NAVCA has worked in collaboration with leading community sector organisations to help community groups adapt and survive under these extremely challenging conditions. My Community contains tips, tools and advice and a specialist Cost of Living Hub to get the support you need in this difficult time:

The Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) have Charity Resource Hub resources to support the cost-of-living crisis including some suggestions for supporting volunteers and staff.

North Tyneside Business Forum has created a resource around rising costs and the energy crisis for businesses, with information around local support, national advice and guidance and Government finance and support. This page will be regularly updated. Read more.

To help rural community buildings stay open this winter, ACRE and Utility Aid have prepared some urgent advice to help the volunteers who manage these buildings save energy and stay on top of energy bills. Read more.

ACEVO has collated links to reports, surveys and important data to support civil society leaders to better understand the impact of the crisis on their organisations, stakeholders and the sector at large. Read more.

North Tyneside Council has created an online resource around the Cost-of-Living Crisis full of support available from the Council, advice, and signposting to other relevant organisations. This includes help for families and individuals, whether you’re working or not, including details of the North Tyneside Warm Welcome Hubs. These pages will be regularly reviewed and updated. Read more here.

Across the North East and North Cumbria VCSE organisations, Local Authorities and other key partners are working together to support people in this time of crisis. Warm hubs, spaces and places have been set up across our region to act as a place of welcome to those who are unable to heat their homes during this Autumn/Winter period. Read more about these activities and sources of support in the VONNE Fuel Poverty blog.

Sported, the UK’s largest network of community groups, has launched the Keep the Doors Open campaign, to raise awareness of the threat which the cost-of-living crisis poses to community sports organisations – and the young people they support.

Sport England has put together a new set of free resources to help sports clubs and organisations cope with the rise in the cost of living and keep their energy bills down.

This article from Charity Digital explores how charities can manage rising service demands amid the cost-of-living crisis

Find out more about the Government’s Help for Households campaign and what support is available. Read more. 

People living in fuel poverty are now able to access additional support from the Fuel Bank Foundation, thanks to Britain’s energy network companies. The money will be used to provide same or next day emergency financial support to people struggling to top-up their prepayment gas and/or electricity meters. Fuel Bank Foundation will also provide additional ongoing support to help manage energy costs, working together to support families out of crisis and find better energy deals. Read more.

The cost-of-living crisis is inescapable for most of us. But for charities it’s also leading to a cost-of-giving crisis. How can you ask for donations when people are struggling to make ends meet?  Read more.

Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland has produced a report on areas for funding. Read the report Cost of Living Crisis – Community Foundation