Nine new charities registered in Wiltshire over the past year have been set up to tackle poverty and support economic, community and employment development, according to an analysis of Charity Commission data.
The organisations account for 18 per cent of the 51 charities registered in Wiltshire during the past 12 months, compared with a national average of 16 per cent.
There are now 548 registered charities in Wiltshire working in areas connected with poverty, economic development and community support, according to the analysis by specialist charity insurer Ansvar Insurance.
The figures suggest that despite continued financial and operational pressures on the charity sector, people across Wiltshire are continuing to establish organisations aimed at helping their communities.
Adam Tier, Head of Underwriting at Ansvar Insurance, said the figures demonstrated the commitment of local people to addressing problems in their communities.
“Charities are often founded because individuals recognise there is a gap in support and want to make a positive difference,” he said.
“Whether through employment support, skills development, community initiatives or direct assistance for those experiencing financial hardship, these organisations help people build better futures.”
Ansvar, which specialises in insurance for charities and not-for-profit organisations, regularly analyses sector trends as part of its work with community organisations across the UK.
The charity sector continues to face challenges including finding sustainable sources of funding, recruiting and retaining volunteers and managing increasing operational responsibilities.
However, the latest figures also point to continued willingness among individuals to establish organisations and contribute their time and expertise to supporting others.
Mr Tier said the creation of a charity was only the beginning, with good governance and effective management important to ensuring organisations can operate sustainably.
“While establishing a charity is only the first step, putting strong governance, volunteer management and risk management practices in place from the outset can help organisations build resilience and maximise their long-term impact,” he said.
He added that community organisations had an important role in supporting people and helping local communities develop and prosper.
The analysis covers charities registered with the Charity Commission during the previous 12 months and focuses on organisations whose stated purposes include poverty prevention and relief, alongside economic, community and employment development.
