Findings from Capacitybuilders Recent Survey of Local Support Providers
This most recent survey - the third in the series - provides valuable information on the state of the sector during a time of great change; both for frontline civil society groups and those that support them. And the comparative data that we now have available builds a clearer picture of how support providers have been affected by changes in the economy.
Key findings include:
• Demand for support from frontline groups continues to increase (according to 78% of respondents);
• For the third survey running, more support providers have reported a reduction in their overall income for the previous 12 months (40%) than those that have seen their income rise (34%);
• Despite this increase in demand and pressure on income, nearly half of all respondents stated that they are coping well (46%);
• Increasing numbers of support providers are now planning merger - up from 1 in 7 to, 1 in 5 over the last 12 months;
• A similar proportion are planning to cut staff numbers (20%).
The full report is available to download from the Improving Support website: www.improvingsupport.org.uk/buildingresilience
Resources and Learning
Support providers and the sector as a whole remain under a great deal of pressure, particularly around issues such as income generation and sustainability. Should you require any further information on these or other related topics, please visit the Improving Support website where you can find a range of resources, key contacts and toolkits www.improvingsupport.org.uk
The findings from the series of surveys will inform Capacitybuilders’ planning - and that of the new coalition Government - around the support needs of civil society organisations and the delivery of the Big Society vision, and in particular the forthcoming consultation on infrastructure support for civil society organisations which will be published in the summer.