The charity sector is facing unprecedented challenges. For a number of years it has faced reduced funding opportunity, increased running costs against a backdrop of a significant increase in those seeking the services charities provide. To add to this the Government has announced various changes to national insurance which are likely to cause some charities providing vital services to consider whether they can continue to do so.
Whilst it has been reported that the changes will impact the private sector most, the reimbursements to the public sector to avoid cuts, to not appear to extend to sector organisations. Many charities deliver services complimentary to the public sector often filling gaps created by issues such as long NHS waiting lists and hospital discharge backlogs. However, the struggle for charities is very real. Communities could lose vital services which offer a lifeline to some of the most vulnerable people. An open letter initiated by NCVO recently appealed to the government to acknowledge the essential role charities play in supporting our communities, and above all else, persuade them to provide some relief to charities from increased National Insurance Contributions.
As public sector funding cuts continue to grow and costs increase, it takes the expectation that the charity sector will fill in critical service gaps to another level. Organisations like Enrych, that support vulnerable adults in Leicestershire, are constantly trying to diversify our offering to make sure we meet the needs of those we serve. As the cost of living continues to bite, needs continue to change and increase exponentially. However, we cannot consider introducing new services to meet demand when we are already under pressure just to keep the essential services we already deliver going.
Reducing staff, lowering salaries, and cutting back on essential services. These are just three things that charities will now be considering to help offset the additional costs. Enrych is just one example of an organisation which will have to make tough budgetary decisions in order to continue helping those we serve to live with purpose. If we had no choice but to reduce our offering, this would be catastrophic for our local community, as we have worked hard in responding to the key issues faced by adults living with a disability. Therefore, all of the hard work we have done to get to this point will be undone if more service cuts occur. Adults living with a disability already face many uncertainties, so without the support of organisations that are designed to serve this demographic – where are they supposed to turn?
As those of you who read my blog regularly will now, I am just one of a number of people who has benefitted from Enrych’s support. By helping me to build my confidence and self-efficacy, they have enabled me to navigate the world of work and find a role I love that suits my strengths. This is a true reflection of the impact of services charities such as Enrych provide. I felt lost in life before my family found Enrych and had support put in place for me via the support worker service. My confidence increased, my strengths were identified and I was offered the opportunity to start writing a blog in 2021. My role has grown from there. And that belief in me has not just enabled me to get a job, it’s also helped me improve my lifestyle generally resulting in a Healthy Lifestyle Award, becoming an Active Together Champion and receiving an award from the Dyspraxia Foundation for my work in raising awareness for Dyspraxia. As a beneficiary of Enrych service, I am now helping to deliver them. None of this would have been possible without Enrych and I cannot emphasise this enough!
Acknowledgement of the work the charity sector does to ease public sector pressure is imperative. The Government has many issues to tackle, and improving provision for disabled people should be something they actively support the third sector to help them achieve. Without the lived experience of many people throughout charitable organisations, there would be limited advocacy, particularly for the most vulnerable people. By ensuring fair distribution of National Insurance Contribution reimbursements, the government can help alleviate the financial strain on the charity sector and enable them to continue delivering on their missions.
For a considerable amount of time, the social support system in the UK has needed seismic change. The system has often felt more like a sickness service than a health service. I believe that vulnerable people are expected to go their own way, often after limited intervention from other public sector services. At Enrych we are seeing this on a daily basis, particularly with people unable to access services quickly or being discharged from hospital with limited support packages in place eventually leading them to worse health outcomes. By increasing our connection to key decision makers, the government and charities can collaborate in tackling the diverse challenges faced by the most vulnerable people in ways that are designed to build health and prosperity. But we cannot do this without acknowledgement from the Government that we need their support in meeting our costs, not to be hit with additional costs we cannot access funding to meet.
Government officials must consider the long-term implications of financially restricting charities. By recognising this need for relief from National Insurance Contributions and providing adequate support, the government can help ensure that charities continue to thrive and serve our communities. It is our collective responsibility to support charities like Enrych and create a fairer future for everyone!
Please sign this petition today to urge the government for a change that will protect the valuable work of charities!
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