Supporting organisations

Voices from organisations backing the campaign:

[See the full list of supporting organisations]

12th Rugby Scout group:

“As part of a scout group it is evident that it is becoming increasingly difficult to generate funds for scouting activity. We are currently in a project to build a new scout headquarters and trying to raise funding is getting harder. Not only from individual donations but from grant bodies. In addition, corporate giving appears to be in decline, we ran a general appeal recently an out of about one hundred letters only two responded with a donation, many did not even respond.”

The Active Community Team:

“As a small local charity we are struggling with funding. We have always prided ourselves on being self sufficient but we have come to the point we are having to beg for help, but there just isn’t the help out there.”

Arthritis Care:

“It’s simple really – get behind this campaign and help get behind charities – we can not do our work without you….”

Arthritis Research UK:

“As a charity dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of people with arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions, we know the importance of partnership work. We welcome the opportunity to be part of this campaign and support its call for everyone to come together to create an environment in which charitable giving can thrive.”

The Bethany Children’s Trust:

“As Director of The Bethany Children’s Trust that is helping to transform children’s lives here and overseas, I urge us as a nation to stand as one and to get behind this timely Back Britain’s Charities campaign. This morning I read the following words, ‘generosity is the key to a life lived fully.’ It’s a well know fact that when we give, we also receive, and as we give of ourselves and share what we have with others, we become the richer for it in ways that truly count. So let’s dare to fly in the face of the statistics, and to give more of ourselves and more of what we have – and in doing so to see the change for good that will take place in our own lives as well as in the lives of others.”

Borderland Voices: Arts for health & mental wellbeing:

“At a time of such economic uncertainty, when many are at their most vulnerable, charities like Borderland Voices Arts help people to express themselves creatively and gain self confidence and peer support.  But we can continue to offer this vital lifeline only with secure funding, which becomes ever more difficult to find.  This is especially true for our very small local charity, in a semi-rural area (Staffordshire Moorlands) with few major employers.”

Bottom Line Ideas:

“UK charities enable millions of people around the world and at home in Britain to enjoy the same chances in life most of us take for granted.  Charity bashing is often misplaced and we need to be realistic in supporting charities that do real good… not being outraged that they have electricity bills to pay and need money to do so!”

Break:

“Thanks to NCVO and CAF for highlighting this serious issue facing charities.  Break has recently launched a Supporters Club and it will be interesting to see what the take up is in these challenging times.”

Cambridge Women’s Resources Centre:

“We are a much needed community based voluntary sector organisation. We have been offering support, information, advice, guidance and training to women and their families for 30 years, our hopes and commitment are to look forward to the next 30 years. We urge people to support this campaign, thus supporting many small, but essential, community voluntary sector organisations and charities. Everybody needs somebody in a time of change or crisis, the value of our organisation is with the individual, their families and the wider community. To coin a phrase ‘Your Charities Need You.'”

Carers Lewisham:

“It is getting harder and harder to support my local charity, Carers Lewisham. I am a carer with a disabled son and now I’m a trustee of Carers Lewisham. They saved my life with their support and backing and I now want to give something back. Lets hope this campaign can grow and grow. We need charities, they do so much and support so many people in so many different ways. Good luck. Jacqui Cook, Mum of disabled son, Joe.”

Centre 56:

“Cut backs are killing off specialist charities, we’ve lost our authority funding. We had been running for 39 years.”

Changes Bristol:

“With the changes in the way statutory funding is provided to small charities and community groups, it is becoming harder and harder to build a sustainable future and to ensure our grass roots community organisations thrive.

In addition to this the reductions in statutory funding and the competitive squeeze on grant funding is having an ever bigger impact on small charities.”

Changes Bristol fully supports the campaign to Back Britain’s Charities, before irreparable damage is done to the much needed voluntary and charitable sector.”

Charlton Associates:

“Charlton Associates believes that a strong and vibrant charity sector makes Britain a better, fairer and more equal society.”

CHAT:                 

“Our experience concurs with your findings. Yes, the Government must do more to assist charities, particularly those who are picking up the extra work caused by Government cuts.”

Children with Cystic Fibrosis Dream Holidays:

“It is becoming more and more difficult to raise the funds we need. We seem to be doing twice the work to raise half the income!”

Choices Community Trust

“Charities are a life blood for the community and it is vital that they be supported by those who can.”

Contact Hostel Charity:

“I think the big and medium sized national charities will have the infra structure to handle this downturn but small stand alone charities like ours will have difficulty in future fundraising and also with the tendering process. I have worked in the charity sector for most of my professional life and have seen situations where small one off groups/community initiatives, who may have only one or two staff to run the groups such  as summer play schemes, respite schemes, keeping kids off the streets etc, they have had difficulties and will have difficulties in the future. They are the heart of the charity sector they will suffer and, coupled with local authority cut backs,  I fear for their future.”

Creating Sustainable Organisations CIC:

“Britain’s charities are being asked to do more with less so they need all the support they can get.

They work with the most vulnerable people and animals and they tackle the most challenging issues.  CSO-CIC is committed to supporting charities of all sizes, working across all areas of charitable work.

We see, on a day to day basis, the challenges they face and the work they do and we encourage anyone who can, to choose a local charity and find out what help they need.”

CSV:

“In these tough times, CSV and other charities are needed more than ever to help the most disadvantaged and vulnerable people here in the UK: young people struggling to learn basic skills and find a job, older people stuck indoors not seeing another soul from one day to the next, and vulnerable families needing a helping hand to keep their kids out of care.”

Dark Island Dance:

“Valuable work that reaches vulnerable people is being undertaken by UK charities every day, should this have to stop/be removed because public spending cuts are re-directing us to prioritize other areas?… I sincerely hope not – as I really want to continue to be proud of our society’s approach to supporting those less fortunate than ourselves & the offering of time and energy to campaigning for important rights and the resolve of social problems that have a knock on effect for all of us.”

Deafax:

“Deafax has been in the charitable field since 1985, and we are totally committed to providing educational services to deaf people with the support of innovative technologies and providing awareness to the mainstream community. We are fully aware of the pressures and financial constraints that is associated with running a charity and we fully support this campaign to raise awareness on the importance of keeping charities services intact. We understand the impact the recession has had on various organisations and charities, and our main priorities is to serve the health, education, employment and deaf community around us. In order to ensure that our services are continuously filling in the missing gaps, we need your help and support as well as others, to fund our invaluable work and commitment to these fields and thus ensure a positive, inclusive living environment.”

Donate As You Spend:

“Our research indicate the same findings, but we have developed new services that could more than replace the downturn in donating, if we only had the resources to create the awareness.”

The Door Youth Project:

“We work with 1,000 young people every year.  We provide a variety of intervention and accredited support project and do it all for £300K. This is of course great value for money.  However, when you take into consideration the money that we are saving Government, it is millions.  It’s time to spend a little, in order to save a lot.”

Dudley Parkinsons Branch:

“As President of the Dudley Parkinsons UK Branch, we, despite the extra volunteer hours put in are finding it more difficult  raising funding, in the main, it’s shaking tins outside supermarkets, car boot , table top and home garage sales.

Our Christmas Raffle, Harvest Festival and monthly raffles help, as do donations in memory of loved ones.

With more and more sufferers being identified, we are struggling to provide funding for Conductive Education, Carers Respite Cover and occasional day trips out.

All the monies raised are spent on the Branch sufferers, and where a surplus is achieved at the end of a year,  cheques are sent specifying where it is to be spent, whether “Research for a Cure”, Neurology Dept, or Parkinson’s Nurse.

We had great support from Sainsbury’s Withymoor Store 2 yrs ago which was very much appreciated, but very few other benefactors come forward -attributed no doubt to difficult economic times — the volunteering work still has to go on !!”

Dukeries Community Workshop:

“We are a small local charity running on a shoestring with one part time paid employee. All other work is undertaken by a bank of 21 highly skilled volunteers. We have an average daily attendance of 18 people who are older, disabled, long term physically or mentally ill or unemployed, yet we are in danger of closing due to lack of funds, the opportunity to claim Gift Aid on small donations could make the difference between survival or closure. However, should the rules on claiming Gift Aid on small donations be so complex an accountant would be required we, and the majority of small organisations, would gain no benefit at all.”

Dyslexia Association Birmingham:

“The future is bleak for us.  Dyslexia is not ‘sexy’ enough to ‘sell’ to funders and yet one in ten have this disability.  Our work is vital in terms of emotional and positive support. But as a small charity what chance do we have in this economic climate against the ‘big boys’?  We haven’t.  We live in fear of closing every few months but we have achieved so much against the odds that we just cannot close.  Our funding says differently.”

Ealing Equality Council:

“Funding effective Charities is value for money and helps to address the needs of the most deprived in Society.”

East Lindsey Citizens Advice Bureau:

“Charities and the work that we do, are vital for our communities and our community well being.”

Equip:

“Whether in UK, or overseas in the case of Equip, British Charities achieve a fantastic amount on very tight budgets. We are successful because of the wonderful work of our volunteers but we still need employed staff and materials to continue our success. If greater charitable giving does not return quickly the reduction of resources will seriously impact our potential to achieve the stunning results the sector has seen in the past. UK Government is in a position to help us especially as this is an appeal for partnership working rather than a call on their fiscal resources,  or perhaps they are not as caring as their publicity suggests?”

The Family Haven:

“In times of austerity, it is more important than ever to support local charities who can help people in your local area to a better future.”

The Fire Fighters Charity:

“At a time of rising expectations from our 200,000 beneficiaries the Fire Fighters charity needs help and recognition from government. Support via Gift Aid to our totally independent charity has defined value to society, by means of maximising our charity’s ability to get fire-fighters back to active duty after illness or injury as quickly as we can.”

FunMeFit:

“I can’t support UK charities financially but I’ve been supporting my local charities by promoting them and their fundraising events all over social media, organising my own events, asking people to donate, join or run fundraising events for them.

I can help raise awareness and find low cost alternatives of raising money such as registering to run a marathon for the charity.

Don’t forget, with motivation, you have all the power you need to raise money and help UK charities!”

The Gateshead College Foundation:

“We think that the ‘Back Britain’s Charities’ Campaign is fantastic and there is a real need for the government to do as much as they can to aid our charities in the current economic climate. Many of our students struggle with finances for basics like travelling to College, childcare and equipment. This is why The Gateshead College Foundation was set up. Invest in our future by ensuring that all students have the opportunity to develop and get the best from their College education.”

The Grange Community Complex:

“Although we receive no funding directly from the Council, we have experienced a knock on effect of approximately a 20% decrease in income.  It is essential that the Government and Councils appreciate the true value of local charity organisations.”

Grantham Foodbank:

“We are finding that we are having to divert more energy in fundraising. This time should be used to feed the hungry families that are at a point of crisis. We are concerned that sooner or later we will be made homeless as a charity. Due to not being able to obtain funding to keep our building running. We are already having to not have the heating on so we do not run out of funds to carry on the task of trying to keep families together as they go through their point of crisis.”

Hadleigh Sea Scouts Group:

“Imagine a country without Charities – it would be a much poorer place, with greater disadvantage, culturally deprived, with families, old and young struggling with many more problems – Back Britain’s Charities!!”

Hands On Helping:

“Fabulous proactive campaign, brilliant various ideas to ensure sustainable income is secured for the good causes we all depend upon. We are delighted to Back Britain’s Charities and welcome the opportunity to engage with parties to develop a giving culture.”

Harrogate & Area CVS:

“Great to see charities working together to raise awareness of the perfect storm heading our way - meeting increasing need in a climate of reducing funding. Working for a local support and development charity every day we hear of local charities and their trustees, staff and volunteers caught up in the stresses and strains of keeping the show on the road and having to spend more and more time fundraising, as we ourselves are. Resilience is vital and is being severely tested on many levels. Some will emerge stronger but will they still be able to meet the needs of individual beneficiaries at a local level? That is one of my main concerns.”

The Haven:

“The Haven is a DV service provider, demand is high, we can make a £ go a long way to relieve suffering and protect human rights. Lets put the C back into CHARITY - CONCERN FOR OTHERS!”

The Hibbs Lupus Trust:

“We urge everyone to get involved & Back Britain’s Charities! We are a new charity run entirely by volunteers. We need the support our community to help us continue to make a difference to the lives of those living with lupus.”

The Hive Music and Media Centre, HMM Arts Ltd:

“As a small independent arts organisation, donations are vital towards helping us continue our work with disadvantaged young people from across the community. We can’t rely simply on grant funding alone – and both corporate and individual donations, however small, make a large difference to our work. Helping us to bring inclusive access to the arts for everyone across the West Midlands region.”

Home-Start Bridgwate:

“Home-Start Bridgwater has supported 112 vulnerable families, since its set up in January 2012. Most are referred as being at risk and in need of long term support by statutory agencies, though we do not get any on-going support from any statutory agency. It is hard and essential work, very economical, since largely done by volunteers. It takes hours of work to apply for one-off grants, with no guarantee of success.”

The Huntingdon & Godmanchester Civic Society:

“People do not always realise that even a small donation can make a lot of difference to whether a charity survives or not.”

Jigsaw4u Ltd:

“We need the public to get behind us and support the work that we and our volunteers do. It really makes a difference to children and young people who would not otherwise get a service. This goes for the whole of the voluntary sector.”

Kent Community Foundation:

“Small grassroots charities are fundamental to thriving community life. At Kent Community Foundation we work with hundreds of local groups every year. Keep supporting them generously.”

Lancaster Consulting (HR) Ltd:

“As long term partners with voluntary sector infrastructure and community based organisations, our company is deeply concerned about what appears to be disproportionate adverse impact on the sector both in terms of the effect of public sector efficiency savings and the radical changes in procurement activity which appears to be excluding smaller organisations from delivering public services. We strongly believe that the voluntary and community sector has a unique offer in terms of service delivery particularly in engaging the hard to reach. We therefore endorse this campaign.”

Lasa:

“In difficult times, the work of charities in helping the poor and the needy is of the utmost importance.”

Lisa May Foundation:

“Now more than ever we need the backing of both small and large businesses, who can help in particular the smaller lesser known charities.

The smaller they are the more they struggle to find the budget or manpower to raise much needed support, awareness and of course funds!

Fundraising can be FUN and companies can use it as a fantastic team building exercise across all levels of the business. It gives a real feel good factor that everybody needs right now. The Government should do something to support the smaller charities who are rarely in the media spotlight.

So back Britain’s charities and let’s support each other through the tough times.”

The Lisa Wiles Red Wellies Brain Tumour Support Fund (Red Wellies):

“We are a charity that raises funds for brain tumour research. Brain tumour research receives less than 1% of government funding for research. Brain tumour research is predominantly dependent on the goodwill of the general public. Sadly. because brain tumour research is so poorly funded, post-doctoral scientists working on understanding brain tumours are forced to use their expertise elsewhere. Instead they go to work for impressively funded research projects, such as breast cancer. There has been no rise in the survival rate of brain tumour victims in over the last four decades-unlike that of most other cancers. Red Wellies and other brain tumour charities desperately need all the help that we can get.”

Localgiving.com:

“When charitable giving declines, it is often the small, local charities and community groups that suffer the most.  Many of these vital organisations already operate on a knife edge, so even a small donation can mean the difference between surviving and going under.  As a society, we can’t afford to lose them!  That’s why Localgiving.com supports the Back Britain’s Charities campaign.”

The Margaret Carey Foundation:

“To make the argument that backing charities is cost effective. Were the charity sector to go into steep decline, the state would have to step in or else just stand by and watch people suffer as a consequence of not having a support system.”

Marie Collins Foundation:

“The Marie Collins Foundation (MCF) gained its charitable status in October, 2011. it’s mission is to ensure that all children who have suffered sexual abuse via the internet and mobile technology are able to recover and live safe and fulfilling lives. We fill a unique gap in service provision and expertise for a growing problem regarding the safeguarding of children. However, we are facing an uphill struggle to attract sponsors and funding to enable us to carry out our vital work. Those organisations who, two years ago, thought they would be in a position to offer financial support to the setting up of the MCF, now find that they are unable to do so and the principle reason given is that of the state of the economy. We are re-thinking our funding plan with the aim of joining in collaborative bids with relevant partners to enable our services to grow. We will be reviewing this strategy and report back!”

Marlow Sea Cadets:

“An excellent campaign with some fantastic goals that will make a real difference to charities big or small.”

Message on the Move:

“Charities ate the very life-blood of much of what is being done in our nation. They must be encouraged, provided for and supported.”

Nailsea Disability Initiative:

“The Nailsea Disability Initiative exists to promote the care, welfare and education of disabled and elderly people. The charity works with over 800 client contacts per year advising on welfare benefits and informing clients on the support available for disabled people.

Nailsea Disability Initiative is a small charity and relies heavily on individual donations to run successfully. Fundraising appeals to businesses works with varied success and we believe that companies could do more to support local charities.

Our charity has funding in place up until March 2013 but after this date the future of the charity is uncertain due to the costs of keeping the charity running.

At present Nailsea Disability Initiative does not receive funding from the local authority. The charity provides an invaluable service for disabled and elderly people in the community and further support from the government and local authority would make a large difference to the future of the charity and the local community.”

National Council for Voluntary Youth Services (NCVYS):

“NCVYS is urging all who can to Back Britain’s Charities.  A donation, however small, can go a long way to help charities support those who really need them in these tough times.  Young people have been hit hard and many would see their life chances reduced if it wasn’t for the work of youth organisations. Members of the public, commissioners, business all have a role to play in helping charities help young people.”

National Gulf Veterans and Families Association:

“Every Penny helps in some way in supporting our members and their families and we are very grateful for any donation large or small from the public and the world in general. NGVFA Supporting Forgotten Heroes.”

NEEN:

“We are all concerned about money at the moment and if giving is not made easy it will not happen.  It is the people and things that cannot defend/support themselves that will ultimately suffer.”

Newcastle Disability Forum:

“Help is needed to give small grassroots organisations a lifeline.”

New Choices for Youth:

“Government cuts in contracts and reduced contract prices.  We are expected to produce more for less which is not a new concept as charities have traditionally provided good quality services more cost effectively than the statutory sectors.  We need to unite our voices, efforts and political will to ensure that charities and community groups are not disproportionately affected by the cuts in Government spending.”

Newton Farm Community Association:

“Charities & the voluntary sector contribute a huge amount of resources to this country which should not be under-estimated. They may be able to achieve great results more cheaply than other sectors, but they still require support and funding – everything cannot be delivered for free. A real and honest acknowledgement to the sector not mere lip service needs to be made along with a dedicated commitment.”

No Offence! CIC:

“As an information exchange organisation and a social business we provide support and opportunity within the criminal justice sector in which charities and the voluntary sector play an invaluable role.

We would like to add our name to this campaign because without the input which the voluntary sector provide to criminal justice we believe that we would not be able to support as many people to leave behind a life of crime.”

The Norfolk Youth Music Trust:

“When the amount of work carried out daily, weekly and monthly by the United Kingdom’s numerous charities is taken into account, the people get excellent value for money. It is a good thing that such people recognize this contribution to the country’s life by their continuous generosity, therefore. On occasions (for example, Children in Need, Comic Relief, etc) this is clearly what they do.”

NORM-UK:

“Our organisation is so short of funding that it can hardly keep going.”

Northdale Horticulture:

“For many charities the 20% reduction in giving identified within the survey is  coming at a time when charities are also facing unprecedented reductions in local authority funding. Small local charity’s such as Northdale Horticulture have traditionally off set the full cost of service delivery to the benefit of the local authority by subsidising the service via trading activity and fundraising. We now find ourselves increasingly unable to to close the funding gap as we see income.”

Nottingham Community and Voluntary Service:

“These figures worry us as a sector, especially alongside the ‘perfect storm’ some CVS’s are reporting of reduced funding, fewer staff and increased demand for services. We at Nottingham CVS don’t feel the storm has hit yet, but we are concerned that this would make the storm worse. Whereas MPs have spoken of social finance and philanthropy filling the gap of government cuts to funding, we hope that these figures serve as a wake up call that this simply isn’t happening.”

Nu Social Health Enterprise CIC

“Businesses have a huge part to play in encouraging their staff to volunteer in what ever ways they wish to help charitable organisations. For example if the business is an organisational member of a local time bank, it would be very easy to find out what local community groups need to help them to help their community. They don’t always want money, practical skills and professional support is just as valuable to them.”

One in Four:

“We are a counselling charity supporting people who’ve been sexually abused as children. The numbers of people seeking support from us who have been affected by the recent Savile and North Wales exposures is extremely high and rising each day. We feel extremely frustrated by the total lack of funding from Government for people who need counselling and other support immediately. We have offered this service for fourteen years relying on donations and the goodwill of our volunteers, and we feel that it’s now a matter of urgency that the funding is put in place to support people who have suffered and are still suffering the repercussions of these soul destroying crimes. We rely on donations and the goodwill of our volunteers and we need more resources to offer these people the help they deserve and which the NHS does not provide. We know this, because the NHS refers up to 80% of our clients to us… with NO funding at all. This must change and we seek everyone’s help to achieve this. Thank you.”

Out of Joint:

“Many theatres are registered charities. They contribute massively to the local and national economy, but are dependent on contributions from public and private sources to carry on their work. A thriving theatre regenerates its neighbourhood, its town and its region. A theatre which closes can take the heart out of its community. Help us survive and thrive!”

Payroll Giving in Action:

“Payroll Giving income for UK charities will rise if more people and employers become aware of this tax efficient way to support charities. Employers need to be encouraged to promote the scheme and charities need to offer Payroll Giving as a way of support them in all appeals. We back this campaign because we know there is massive potential within Payroll Giving to improve charity income streams.”

The Percy Hedley Foundation:

“The act of giving is paramount to the sustainability of a charity; without it most charities would not exist. The negative effect of this on society as a whole cannot be over estimated or over looked. Even in times of great austerity we must continue to ensure we support our charity of choice.”

The Pilion Trust:

“In this day and age there should be no need for any charities; there should be no poverty; no homelessness; no mental ill health problems; no disadvantages of any kind. Unfortunately the reality is poverty is on the increase; homelessness is on the increase; mental ill health problems are on the increase; multiple disadvantages are on the increase. But much needed charities are closing due to funding cuts; and the charities which remain are struggling overloaded with work. It is a very challenging time for all concerned…So YES! as the Chairwoman of The Pilion Trust a multiple complex needs /multiple disadvantages registered charity. Britain’s charities do need to be backed and supported to continue the vital work they deliver.”

Poplar HARCA 

“The demand for support from charities which know the needs of their areas and the people who live there has probably never been greater – these organisations are a lifeline to communities who are really struggling with the effects of the recession and welfare cuts.”

Portsmouth Cathedral:

“Portsmouth Cathedral supports the objectives of this important campaign.”

Project Three Sixty Limited

“The latest figures from CAF report a £300 million deficit in the funds of small and medium sized charities. Now more than ever charities in the UK need government support. The promotion of gift aid and modernisation of the system is urgently needed to ensure every pound goes further. Get involved and Back Britain’s Charities.”

Public Life:

“We’re a brand and digital agency working with some great charities – and we’ve seen them take a real knock over the last few years. It’s vital, for all of us who can, to increase the amount of time and money we give to the charities we love. For many of them, it could be a matter of survival.”

Quarry Bank Community Association:

“Whilst everything is going up in price, everyone is tightening their purse strings and  charities and other third sector businesses are going by the wayside. As always the most vulnerable people lose out, I’m all for anything that can help the charities survive for the sake of the forgotten sections of society they most need the help.”

Radio Haslar:

“Radio Haslar is a voluntary organisation that relies heavily on donations to keep the station playing music to the patients of the War Memorial Hospital in Gosport. Without these donations we would not be able to do what we do, and while the public have been very generous it is getting harder to raise the money needed to keep the station running. If there is any chance that there could be other ways for the public and the government to donate to charities, we are all for it.

Road Victim’s Trust:

“More and more is expected from the voluntary sector by Government yet there is a belief this extra demand can be met with no extra funding!  Worse still the extra demand is coming at a time when income is reducing.  Charity does not mean “free” but it does mean “value for money”.”

Ruskin Mill Trust

“Britain’s charities get to places that governments just can’t reach - please keep supporting us to help us support Britain.”

Salvia Fundraising Ltd:

“Shocked to hear that donations have dropped dramatically.  Charities will need to get thinking how to address this issue and help from the Government is needed.  However with unemployment still high and many people on tight budgets then there is a major challenge for the sector.”

Save Shottery:

“Charities face all sorts of financial difficulties and dilemmas. Save Shottery is trying to help Shakespeare Birthplace Trust raise voluntary funds so they can fulfil their vision.

Charities need a lobbying organisation like Back Britain’s Charities so that they can get access to sustainable sources of funding to carry out work that benefits the people of Britain (and beyond).”

Sedgefield & District Citizens Advice Bureau:

“Funding is crucial to the survival of so many charities.  Please don’t wait until we are gone to realise the value of the services we provide.

Every penny really does count!”

Shakespeare House:

“Many charities provide essential support to communities the length and breadth of the UK. The sector has responded magnificently in troubling times and it now needs the support of ordinary people to help other ordinary people.”

SHARE community:

“These are particularly challenging times for smaller charities.  Many are losing income as public funding shrinks; we’re having to compete against the private sector and larger, better resourced charities for contracts; some areas of work are now beyond us – the Work Programme’s funding model is unsustainable and loads all the risk onto the specialist provider, and the Skills Funding Agency doesn’t award contracts for less than £500,000.  There’s less money available from charitable trusts, and more competition for what there is.  Ordinary people are seeing their incomes stagnating for yet another year while prices of essentials soar.  We need to innovate, diversify, and make best use of our resources, but we need the support of committed donors and business partners more than ever, and we need the public sector to play fair.”

Sheffield Hallam University:

“Working extensively on research concerning charities, we know how important charities are to society.  Moreover, like most universities, we are ourselves a charity (though English universities are mostly exempt from registration with the Charity Commission).  We also run courses specifically to support those in the charity sector, such as our MSc in Charity Resource Management http://www.shu.ac.uk/courses/165.

A huge amount of worthwhile work to make the world a better place is undertaken by charities - that is the practical meaning of the legal concept of “public benefit”.  Unless an organisation meets that requirement it cannot be a charity.  So we are passionate about charities.”

Sibs:

“You or someone in your family will need the support of a UK charity at some time  – help us to be there to provide that support.”

Sitting in Service:

“This small charity is recognised locally as providing outstanding volunteering opportunities and its well received support services are needed more than ever before in its 20 year history, The charity has the Queen’s Award for Volunteering -yet it is at risk of closure as the struggle to find financial support for extremely modest core costs that become increasingly difficult to attract. The implications of such a closure locally are extremely worrying for elderly and disabled people and their need for independence. Asset based Community Development in action, now at risk. - We need to preserve strong foundations and empower communities, and then we can innovate and go on.
Investing in tried and tested experience and positive outcomes must surely be the sensible option when basic services and support is what keeps people positive and healthier. Costs to the public purse are automatically reduced with such investments.”

Small Charities Coalition:

“Great campaign idea, we’ll certainly continue #backingcharity!”

Soroptimist International Great Britain & Ireland:

“This is a tough time for charities and they need government support as well as the support from non-governmental organisations like ours - Soroptimist International the global women’s organisation http://www.sigbi.org Many individuals are cynical about the work of charities and we all need to work together so that people feel confident that any resources they donate make a difference.”

SOS SOMALIA:

“I hope everybody realizes that without support and funding we cannot make a difference; this is for all charities.  We need to support each other in order to do great things also.  Our organization is looking for partners who could help us do some more work here and in Horn of Africa.”

Southside Rehab. Ltd:

“Giving time as well as money is important.”

Stick ‘n’ Step:

“Good causes also may provide much-needed services not provided or funded by the government or the NHS. A drop in donations translates directly into a drop in those services. And a drop in those services can mean a decline in the quality of life of society at large. The British are among the most generous people in the world and should be proud to support Britain’s charities.”

Street Angels - CNI Network (Christian Nightlife Initiatives):

“We support and resource over 100 local projects working across the UK in the night-time economy. Our amazing teams of volunteers contribute to reduced crime and anti-social behaviour and invest thousands of hours into local communities and help thousands of people. Like many other charities we work at times and in places others wouldn’t and save the UK economy money (in police time, hospital admissions, etc) - invest in those who invest in others!”

SUFA (Stand up for Africa):

“It is very sad that the Third Sector which does so much to care for the the public is ignored by the Government a government  that increasingly finds it difficult to protect this sector. The Government’s commitment to the financial sector is delivered at the detriment to the majority of society and those attempting to care for society are time and time again forced to get their begging bowls out. How long? How long?”

Sunshine Project:

“Please folk out there, without charity many vulnerable people (and mainly children,) sick , disabled, homeless, orphaned, abandoned, poor, many with little hope, all really need you. I am very proud of Britain because we always care and always give, even if a small amount, it makes the world a slightly brighter place for so many and gives hope, I know it does!

Don’t give up on Charity  please, it is the  ‘proud constitution’ of Britain.”

Swindon Civic Voice:

“As a local charity, we are reviewing our impact over the past 10 years, with a view to assessing our value for money too. We think we squeeze every pound until the last penny squeaks! All of our effort is made by volunteers, some half-time. But we still have to have cash for office, utilities, supplies and expenses such as IT and travel to meetings to educate ourselves in order to do more, better.”

TES:

“Gift Aid changes are vital as this is a key source of income for many charities.”

This Way Up Youth Project:

“Many of the charities that exist actually save the local authorities precious funds.  Children who have someone to listen to them, for example, are able to find solutions to their problems and are less likely to look for solutions in risk taking behaviour.”

The Voice, North Devon:

“As a community radio station supporting local charities in North Devon, we feel it is vitally important that local and UK focused charities continue to receive support from the public.”

Volunteer Bristol:

“Just because there’s no money, doesn’t mean that our problems go away.  In fact, they multiply.  Charities – whose mission it is to support people in need – don’t just walk away from the problem.  They do everything they can to keep supporting people.  Many small charities can weather a temporary storm – by spending our reserves for example – but we cannot go on indefinitely.  Every day we see the impact of our work on helping peoples health and well-being, confidence and employability.  A small investment in us, is a big investment in our city and its population.  We are doing everything we promote the Big Society because it’s what we’ve always done – not because it’s government policy.  But almost as soon as the government coined the term, it became harder to do than ever before because they took away all financial support for voluntary sector infrastructure.  We’ll continue to do our bit but government needs to do its bit too.”

VONNE:

“We are also seeing organisations merging and being more enterprising, and although times are tough we are resourceful and resilient in the North East and we will get through this.  We really need the public to try to keep giving what they can in the most cost-effective ways that maximise gift aid.  We call upon the government to modernise and promote Gift Aid and payroll giving so donations go further. The Government to actively ensure that public bodies do not cut funding for charities disproportionately when making spending reductions.”

Watford Mencap:

“It is tougher than ever to fundraise and competition is more intense. Local charities with small fundraising departments can lose out to national charities with big marketing budgets, even though local causes are just as important.”

Wicked Genes MPS Society:

“The MPS Society is the only UK organisation providing individualised support to children and families living with these rare genetic life-limiting childhood diseases. There are 24 MPS and related diseases. Sadly most people living with these diseases wont get the chance to grow up. The MPS Society provides advocacy support to families and funds ongoing research into treatments and cures for thes rare diseases. We are in need of support, awareness raising and funding so the vital work can continue.”

Wild Note Arts Ltd:

“Voluntary groups and charitable organisations are more important than ever, and we mustn’t let them go.”

Winsford Community Action Project (WINCAP):

“As a Community Centre we have noticed that access to funding has almost disappeared.  We work very closely with local people in deprived communities, sometimes with mild to severe learning difficulties/disabilities in volunteering opportunities. We cannot be self-sustaining in this project and are not invited to be part of consortia, which tend to be the larger organisations. The Community Centre is in the heart of the community and plays a vital role locally, especially in areas where tick-boxes and evaluation does not work, providing the long term support/approach/needs investment.”

Working Advocacy in North Devon (WAND):

“Unless something radical happens soon many charities are not going to be able to carry on. Do the government realise what an enormous gap this is going to leave in service provision? Also that the ones who will suffer are the beneficiaries of these services who often cannot access help elsewhere.”

Workwise:

“The Big Society is not working for the third sector, the cuts that this Government are inflicting was bound to affect the most vulnerable and the voluntary sector as a whole.”

World Monuments Fund Britain

“Whatever The Big Society was supposed to be or transpired to become, the nation found common purpose in the Olympic Games during 2012- many were swept up in the ethos of mutual support and celebration of achievement. Surely its legacy should be the encouragement of that inspirational common purpose toward our national charities, through whose achievements we- all of us- are enabled to help each other and protect our valuable and irreplaceable shared environment in the hard times ahead.”

XTND Improving Futures:

“We are a small charity working within a local community that has seen drastic cuts in local services in the past 2 years. Our services are needed more than ever to support local children and families but with access to funding severely reduced our capacity to deliver or even survive is in the balance!”

[See the full list of supporting organisations]



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