Voluntary Action Swindon (VAS), a vital support provider to local charities, has unveiled its Sector Survey for the 2022-2023 year, shedding light on the current challenges and emerging trends within Swindon’s voluntary and community sector.
Voluntary Action Swindon is an infrastructure organisation providing support and resources to the voluntary and community sector in Swindon. With a mission to strengthen the sector’s capacity and impact, VAS collaborates with organisations to navigate challenges and maximise their positive contributions to the community.
In response to unprecedented economic challenges and the enduring impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, VAS conducted its Sector Survey a year earlier than scheduled. The survey, carried out via Survey Monkey and disseminated through email and the VAS ID newsletter [here], ran from August 16th to September 15th, 2023, garnering insights from diverse charitable, non-profit, and community organisations across Swindon.
This provides a snapshot of the issues currently faced by charities and non-profit organisations.
Key Insights:
- Increased Demand and Service Cuts:
- 73% of organisations reported a surge in demand for their services over the last 12 months.
- Conversely, 23% had to make tough decisions to cut or reduce their services to cope with challenges.
- Volunteer Shortage:
- A concerning 43% of organisations revealed a shortage of volunteers to meet growing service demands.
- Financial Strain:
- Financial challenges were evident, with 26% of organisations dipping into reserves to ‘balance the books.’
- 36% experienced a decrease in overall income in the past year.
- Fundraising and Skills Shortage:
- Identified skills gaps in EDI awareness, fundraising, social media, and website management.
Organisational Landscape:
- Size and Staffing:
- A significant 70% of surveyed organisations have less than 10 paid staff members, emphasizing the sector’s reliance on volunteers.
- Income Distribution:
- An eye-opening 30% of organisations reported an annual income of less than £10,000, highlighting financial vulnerability within the sector.
- Volunteer Engagement:
- Volunteers play a crucial role, with 76% stating that ‘word of mouth’ is the most effective method for recruiting volunteers.
Looking Forward: The Sector Survey serves as a valuable tool for VAS to tailor its support services to the evolving needs of the sector.
With insights into areas such as EDI and other identified skill gaps, VAS is well-positioned to provide targeted assistance and foster a resilient and thriving voluntary and community sector in Swindon.
Voluntary Action Swindon remains committed to addressing these challenges and leveraging these insights to enhance support for the voluntary and community sector in Swindon.
