Community organisations optimistic about future after adapting during pandemic
Melanie May | 16 March 2022 | News
Despite being hit hard by the pandemic, three quarters of community organisations surveyed for a new Locality report are optimistic about the future.
78% of the organisations surveyed, which are all Locality members, said they felt this way.
Locality’s report, Navigating the Storm, shows how community organisations have kept going through this challenging time. It finds that organisations adapted, innovated and thrived, with 95% changing how they operate, responding to local needs, diversifying income streams, and repurposing buildings, often supported by flexible funding.
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The report, which is based on interviews and surveys from over 120 community organisations, funders and experts, explains how the determination and expertise of community leaders, combined with the emergency support and flexibility of funding bodies and policy-makers, helped organisations make these changes.
It also highlights significant ongoing challenges for community organisations, such as uncertainty over footfall, the cost of living crisis, staff burnout and loss of volunteers.
To help funders and policy-makers continue to meet the needs of their communities, Locality has set out some recommendations in the report, including:
- Funders should provide flexible, unrestricted funding to help build resilience
- Government should put communities in charge of its levelling up funding including its Community Ownership Fund and UK Shared Prosperity Fund
Tony Armstrong, Chief Executive of Locality said:
“The last two years have been traumatic and difficult for many people. Amid the loss and uncertainty, we saw people coming together across the country to support their local communities. The role of local community organisations – those set up in the crisis or those already established – was critical in keeping people connected, safe and well, and in channeling this upsurge in community spirit. These locally rooted organisations understand the strengths and strains in their communities – so with the vital support of government and other funders during the pandemic, they were able to make things happen fast. They achieved this amid incredibly challenging circumstances, and we should recognise their commitment and determination to support local people.
“Every day at Locality we continue to hear about community organisations adapting services, building relationships and repurposing their assets quickly and effectively to meet local needs. And this report shows there is even more potential sitting at the heart of our communities. If the government is ready to trust these organisations, this potential is ready to be released.”
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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.