# 62% of small charities report rise in demand over last 3 months

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2021/08/25/62-of-small-charities-report-rise-in-demand-over-last-3-months/
- Published: 2021-08-25T09:56:00+01:00
- Author: Melanie May

**Figures from community investment and engagement platform Neighbourly have revealed
that 62% of small charities and local causes have seen demand for their services
rise over the past three months, with it now higher than at any other time during
the pandemic.**

[Neighbourly](https://www.neighbourly.com/)’s Community Insights Survey has tracked
demand on small charities and community causes throughout the pandemic, with 1,100
organisations responding in July, included food banks, homelessness groups, elderly
care organisations and domestic abuse charities.

This most recent survey shows that the average number of people supported by local
causes reached a record of 417 people in June, an average increase of 118 people
compared to June 2020. Comparing data since March 2020, the average number of people
a local good cause supports each week has risen by 187%, a number that has increased
consistently every quarter. 

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Despite the rise in demand however, 48% say that their income has dropped over the
past three months – with 50% flagging their financial situation as their biggest
concern.

Following the end of the UK’s self-isolation restrictions on 16 August, nearly every
small charity or good cause surveyed (97%) expressed concern about the impact this
would have on their service users. 83% of respondents were particularly concerned
about vulnerable people having to isolate once again.

With the temporary £20 a week uplift in Universal Credit, and the Government’s Furlough
scheme both set to stop at the end of September, 63% of the organisations responding
to Neighbourly say that the removal of financial support will be the main reason
for an increase in future demand for their lifeline services.

Small charities and other good causes expect these factors, combined with the end
of Covid restrictions, to increase demand for their services by a further 33% over
the next three months. Applied to Neighbourly’s entire network of charities and 
community groups across the UK and Ireland, this could mean the equivalent of more
than 2.3 million people needing additional support in the next three months.

Steve Butterworth, CEO of Neighbourly, said:

> “Small charities and community groups have been the backbone of our communities
> throughout the pandemic. But despite their proven power, they are still undervalued.
> With demand for their essential services continuing to rise, the UK’s community
> infrastructure must be sustained to ensure that our communities not only survive
> but thrive. Levelling up to ensure a stronger, fairer and more resilient UK needs
> to begin in communities and be driven by the knowledge of local people.”
>  
> “Alarming levels of poverty, inequality and social isolation, alongside mounting
> mental health problems, are pushing some communities to breaking point. Together
> we must ensure that local causes have the resources they need – from financial
> support to donations of food and volunteer time. Small charities and hyper-local
> good causes must be at the heart of discussions and action around how we recover
> from the pandemic and level up the UK.”

A [report from earlier this year](https://fundraising.co.uk/2021/02/18/small-charities-showed-up-stuck-around-in-pandemic-report-shows/)
from the Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales revealed how small charities
had ‘showed up and stuck around’ during the pandemic, helping people in a way mutual
aid and public services couldn’t – despite their own challenges.

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