5 things that happened in the Charity sector this week - 6th January

Makerble Charity Roundup

1. New research predicts 2.5 million extra volunteers for charities

Pro Bono Economics think tank predicts that this year there will be a rise in volunteers, particularly young people between 11 and 34. A recent study shows that more than 10 percent of people not currently volunteering in the UK, intend to start donating their time to help a group, club or organisation in the new year. Even though volunteers bring in some additional costs in the form of training, this is still a positive forecast following the sharp drop in volunteer numbers during the pandemic.

2. The Trussell Trust raids its reserves to help foodbanks cope with the cost-of-living crisis

In 2021/22 The Trussell Trust went from a £40m surplus to a £16m deficit. Demand for foodbanks has been growing for over a decade. In the last four years the need for emergency food parcels has increased by 80 percent. The most recent cost-of-living-related surge in demand has seen Trussell Trust grants to foodbanks increase seven-fold between 2021 and 2022. In October the charity launched an appeal to support it though “the most challenging winter” in its history.

3. Sea Sanctuary mental health charity closing its doors

For the last 13 years Sea Sanctuary has been offering “blue therapy” to people struggling with their mental health. This “blue therapy” included trips on barges and yachts. The Cornwall based charity launched a fundraising appeal in 2022, hoping to raise £200,000 before the end of the year. Unfortunately, despite public efforts, they were not able to meet this goal. Joe Sabien, the founder of Sea Sanctuary announced on Tuesday that the charity would be closing. They will be refunding donations and distributing surplus funds to local mental health charities.

4. Changing Lives charity receives £1.3m from the Home Office

Changing Lives secured £1.3 million to go towards their work tackling violence against women and girls in the North East. The charity focuses on helping women targeted for sexual exploitation, including grooming online and tech abuse. The three-year funding will allow them to expand their specialist team, who will support vulnerable women and prevent sexual abuse and exploitation.

5. Give A Duck receives £10,000 from Morrisons Foundation

Give A Duck is a kids cancer charity that helps children through their cancer treatment by providing them with a cute soft toy “Chemo Duck”. It is fitted with a Hickman Line and Portacath so that medical staff can demonstrate the treatment on Chemo Duck before it is administered to the child. The Chemo Duck provides comfort to the children during treatment and also helps them understand their treatment. The Morrisons Foundation offered Give A Duck a grant of £10,000, which equals 400 Chemo Ducks.

Sources:
https://www.thirdsector.co.uk/charities-set-25-million-extra-volunteers-report/fundraising/article/1809113
https://www.thirdsector.co.uk/charity-goes-40m-surplus-16m-deficit-year/finance/article/1809136
https://www.thirdsector.co.uk/mental-health-charity-close-200k-fundraiser-falls-short/finance/article/1809202
https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/changing-lives-charity-secure-13-25902163
https://www.wakefieldexpress.co.uk/business/wakefields-morrisons-j41-logistics-warehouses-ps10k-boost-to-childrens-cancer-charity-give-a-duck-foundation-3953646