Take part in a survey about the impact of Covid-19 on charities 

Pro Bono Economics has launched a short weekly survey to understand how Covid-19 is affecting charities as the crisis develops. 

The aim of the survey is to understand the pressures being faced by the charity sector as a result of the coronavirus crisis, and monitor how this changes week-to-week. 

Matt Whittaker, chief executive of Pro Bono Economics, said: “There is no doubt that charities and civil society organisation are under enormous pressure right now. Many are facing a situation in which demand for the support they offer is rising at precisely the same time as their resources are being constrained.

“Money is of course a crucial factor in all this, but it is not the only issue at play. Remote working and social distancing will be having profound implications for the ways in which charities operate, placing potentially serious restrictions on those who work at the frontline with vulnerable clients for instance.

“As the sector continues to make its case for support to government, funders and the public at large, we want to better understand just where the most serious pinch points are. And we want to monitor how the situation changes over time: for some organisations the pressure is very immediate, for others it is likely build over time.

“Our survey is designed to take the temperature of the sector on an ongoing basis, helping us to understand how the reality of charity life is evolving as the nature of the Covid-19 challenge shifts.”

The survey will be open for 48 hours each week, is anonymous, and should take no longer than 60 seconds to complete.

Whittaker added: “We recognise that many organisations are busy fighting fires on the frontline, so we have designed a questionnaire that is deliberately brief – taking no more than 60 seconds to complete. But using data to highlight the value of charitable actions goes to the heart of what Pro Bono Economics exists to do, and we believe the need for such information is even greater during today’s crisis.

“The vital contribution of civil society to the wellbeing of the UK has too often been overlooked or taken for granted. Our hope is that our weekly survey will help to push back against that tendency, providing government and others with a regular reminder of the pressures being faced by so many crucial organisations.”

This week’s survey is now open and will close at midnight tomorrow. Take part here.

Civil Society Media is a media partner for the project we’ll have news and analysis of the findings over the coming months.  

For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector, sign up to receive the Civil Society News daily bulletin here.
 

 

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