Study of voluntary organisations reveal devastating impact of Covid
source: Nottingham Trent University
published: October 2020
With over half (56%) of organisations expecting demand for services to surge over the next month as the impact of local lockdowns and rising unemployment filters down to communities, many voluntary organisations are being forced to adapt the way they operate if they are to continue to meet the needs of those they support into the future.
The study also found that the vast majority of voluntary sector organisations fear Covid-19 will continue to disrupt their plans in the year ahead. 8 out of 10 organisations (80%) predicted a negative impact on delivering their planned objectives over the next 12 months, and 1 in 10 (10%) think it likely they’ll be forced to close.
60% of organisations responding said that Covid-19 related safety measures have increased their operating costs.
Researchers also found numerous examples of voluntary organisations using creativity and ingenuity to innovate in response to the new challenges that the pandemic brings, with many organisations demonstrating their ability to adapt, scale and pivot services. From moving existing face-to-face services online, to funders supplying local charities with Zoom licenses, it’s clear that Covid-19 is accelerating a digital transformation in the voluntary sector, with 92% of organisations reporting an increase in delivering their services online.
The Covid-19 Voluntary Sector Impact Barometer is a part of a major new study
using real-time data to explore how voluntary organisations are being impacted by the coronavirus pandemic over the next year..
