CAF research shows charities most trusted to speak up for disadvantaged
Melanie May | 12 July 2016 | News
People trust charities more than any other group to speak up for the disadvantaged, according to research by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF).
The report, Charity Street II, published today, outlines how different age groups, households and areas think about and use voluntary services, and updates CAF’s first Charity Street report published two years ago.
It shows that 76% of people most trust charities to speak up for the disadvantaged. The second most trusted group is religious leaders, with 5% trusting them most. Fewer than one in twenty most trust councillors (4%), MPs (3%), businesses (1%), think tanks (1%) or civil servants (1%) to speak up for the disadvantaged.
It also reveals that the public believes charities are the best placed to speak to government on behalf of disadvantaged people, such as vulnerable adults and children, homeless people, unemployed jobseekers.
The report also looked at use of charity services, finding that there has been an increase since 2014, with almost every household (98%) now reporting to have used a charity at some point, and five out of six (83%) having used a charity service in the last 12 months. On average people had used about six charitable services in the past year.
The report also found:
- The most common ways households use charities are: buying an item from a charity shop (88% vs. 84% in 2014); visiting a charity run gallery, museum, garden or stately home (73% vs. 64% in 2014); getting advice or information from a charity website (51% vs. 45% in 2014).
- Women are more likely than men to have used a charity in the last year (86% women vs. 75% men) – broadly in line with two years ago (83% vs. 75% men)
- Young families have seen the biggest increase in their use of charities since 2014. This year, 88% said they have used a charitable service in the last year, up from 78% two years ago. 18-24 year olds are the most likely age group to have used a charity service in the last year (with 88%).
- Households in the UK’s least deprived areas have used on average 6.24 charities and are more likely to use charities that provide education or entertainment. Those living in the most deprived areas have used less (on average 5.60) and are more likely to have accessed key services providing housing, care, advice and counselling. Those in the most deprived areas (48%) are more likely to rate their role as essential or very important in their lives and for their household than those in the least deprived areas (37%).
Susan Pinkney, head of research at CAF, said:
“At the heart of our communities are people working to make life better for the most vulnerable among us. Our research today shows that charity is not something that happens outside our everyday lives, but is woven into our enjoyment and ability to participate fully in our communities and the world around us.”
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About Melanie May
Melanie May is a journalist and copywriter specialising in writing both for and about the charity and marketing services sectors since 2001. She can be reached via thepurplepim.com.