By Olivia Chappell — Group C, The Hot Topic
The charity sector has recently been facing the largest financial squeeze since late last year, according to the National Council for Voluntary Organisations. The combination of the cost-of-living crisis and reduced funding has led to many charities falling short in meeting the high demand for their services. As the number of donations has decreased, charities have found it hard to stay afloat.
Safe and Sound in Dorset helps disadvantaged women with housing, food and therapy support. The charity offers a communal space in the form of a café named ‘The Well’ where women can get £20 worth of food and drink from the charity as well as engage in community events to help alleviate loneliness.
Staff member Flick Grant, 22, said: “We’ve had to raise prices of food and drink so now when these women come in, they’re not able to afford as much.”
This crisis has also affected larger charities such as ‘The Big Give’ which has partnered with the British Heart Foundation and Prama to encourage students to donate clothing, food, and electronics instead of leaving such items to go to landfill.
Bournemouth University representative of ‘The Big Give’, Gillian Lewis, 45, said: “Ever since Covid hit, donations have dropped. Students would much rather give to second-hand clothing companies now instead of charity.”
