# Pandemic & resourcing issues proving barriers to addressing EDI

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2021/07/19/pandemic-resourcing-issues-proving-barriers-to-addressing-edi/
- Published: 2021-07-19T09:00:00+01:00
- Author: Melanie May

**The majority of charities have plans to address EDI but the impact of the pandemic
and lack of resources are hindering the increase of diversity, research indicates.**

The latest research from the monthly [Covid-19 Voluntary Sector Impact Barometer](http://cpwop.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/07/NTU-Covid-voluntary-sector-report-July-2021_DIGITAL.pdf)
from the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO), Nottingham Trent University
and Sheffield Hallam University reveals that 79% of charities and voluntary sector
organisations have drawn up plans to address equality, diversity and inclusion (
EDI) issues in their workplace, volunteers and services. 59% of these have revised
their EDI approach since March 2020. The most reported changes have been staff training(
16%), safeguarding (12%) and staff recruitment (13%).  

However, implementing these plans and increasing diversity has remained a challenge,
with the July data revealing the most reported barriers organisations are currently
facing to be:

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 * Limited financial resources (20%)
 * Staffing capacity (15%)
 * Lack of human resources skills
 * Knowledge and capacity (12%)
 * Lack of equality, diversity and inclusion knowledge or skills (11%)

When asked about the impacts of the pandemic and lockdown restrictions on the diversity
of their service users, 17% of the respondents reported experiencing a more diverse
range of service users, 15% reported an increase in diversity of their volunteers,
while only 9% reported an increase in the diversity of their workforce during the
pandemic.  

The data also reveals that charities with an annual income of less than £10,000 
reported the lowest increase in diversity, with medium-sized organisations (with
income between £100,000 to £1 million) reporting the highest increases in diversity
among their workforce, volunteers, and service users. 

Respondents to this month’s survey indicated a mixed financial picture again. Compared
to the previous month:

 * 28% of respondents said their finances deteriorated
 * 27% saw their finances improved
 * 45% reported their financial stability being the same
 * 57% of respondents to the survey also said they had an increase in demand for
   services
 * 29% reported demand for services stayed the same
 * 9% reported a fall in demand. 

Over the last month, the employment position in the sector is reported as relatively
stable, with 47% reporting the same number of paid employees compared to previous
months. 

Daniel King, professor of organisational behaviour at Nottingham Trent University
and project lead, said: 

> “The past year has seen a heightened awareness of issues of equality, diversity,
> and inclusion (EDI) within the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector.
> Campaigns around racial justice have collided with a pandemic that has amplified
> inequalities that already exist.
>  
> “Our report shows that many organisations have been searching for ways to respond
> to these circumstances, leading to many conversations about diversity and inclusion.
> Many interviewees said that Covid-19 gave opportunities reflect and challenge 
> their assumptions, meaning they begun having difficult conversations within their
> organisations about some of the changes they need to make. However, many interviewees
> recognise there is a long way to go, there are structural and systematic forms
> of exclusion, from the way organisations are run through to funding. Our report
> highlights some of these and signposts ideas for future action.”

Anya Martin, research and insight manager at NCVO, said: 

> “As lockdown eases, it’s clear that the road to recovery will not be linear for
> many voluntary and charity organisations, and this has had an impact on the sector’s
> vital plans for EDI work. The report shows that smaller organisations in particular
> face challenges with limited funding and resources. However, some organisations
> have been able to revise their EDI plans during the pandemic.
>  
> “Despite the limitations of the funding and financial support available to charities
> throughout the pandemic, demand for services has remained at an upward trajectory.
> The rise in volunteers at the beginning of the pandemic also saw an increase in
> the diversity of volunteers working with some organisations. As we look to the
> future it is really important that charities are confident they are continuing
> to focus on EDI and adopting best practice both within their organisations, and
> in the services they deliver, to better reflect and support the communities and
> individuals they serve.”