SECTOR FOCUS: CHARITIES


The charity sector faces unique challenges in the months ahead. While there has been enormous goodwill and support from communities, charity leaders fear the long-term impacts on their ability to fundraise and operate retail outlets could be extremely difficult. Here, three charities explain how they view the challenge.


Caring during a crisis


The Covid-19 crisis has had a devastating effect on virtually every corner of the economy, including the charity sector. Steve Statham (pictured), Chief Executive of St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth, discusses the impact of the pandemic on the much-loved charity and shares what is happening to help ensure local hospice care continues.


specialist unit at Turnchapel, and helping them to live well to the end of their lives. The agility of our workforce has meant we’ve adapted swiftly to look


T


after our vulnerable patients while protecting them and our staff from Covid-19, all while maintaining the professionalism and compassion for which our service is renowned. While I won’t pretend this has been easy, I am very


proud of the way everyone across our organisation has come together so that our patients – and the loved ones around them – can feel as at ease as possible in the midst of such difficult circumstances. Their dedication to helping those who need our specialist service has never wavered. As a charity, we could not do as much as we do, or do


hese uncertain times are affecting individuals, businesses and charities alike, but at St Luke’s our priority has remained the terminally ill people in our care at home, in hospital and at our


‘We are incredibly


it as well as we do, without the generous support of our community, but we’re aware just what a challenging time this is for everyone with so many conflicting demands. Fortunately, St Luke’s is weathering the storm thanks to financial aid in the form of government grants for charities, plus the business grants we have received from Plymouth City Council. We are so grateful for this support - which we never take for granted - because it is helping us to keep going despite the significant drop in our fundraising and retail income, with our mass participation events postponed and our charity shops temporarily closed in accordance with official advice. Without the lifeline of these grants, we would be in a dire situation. Like many charities, we are forecasting a deficit budget for this financial year and next, which is particularly alarming given that the way


34 Chamber Profile Summer 2020


thankful to the businesses across our community’


ahead remains so uncertain at this time. That’s why we are incredibly thankful to the businesses across our community who are continuing to keep St Luke’s close to their hearts despite the considerable challenges they themselves are facing. From the businesses who have topped up our PPE supplies to the companies whose gestures of appreciation for our frontline staff have uplifted them during their long shifts, we have been overwhelmed by the kindness they have shown. However, it is post-pandemic - when we are all working more ‘normally’ - that our community’s support will be needed more than ever. With that in mind, it’s crucial that local charities and other organisations take a citywide approach to mass participation events. It is natural that we will all feel a sense of urgency regarding income generation, so consulting with each other is going to be crucial in ensuring that we handle


this well. We mustn’t miss this opportunity to come together to plan, so that - when it is safe to hold them - our flagship events do not clash with each other or with the big national fundraisers that


have also been postponed, such as the London Marathon. It’s really important that we don’t overload the public, forcing them to


choose between one event or another, for example. Indeed, it might even be the case that some organisations conclude that certain events are no longer relevant in the post Covid-19 climate and that it’s time to do something new. So, let’s not rush ahead before coming together to share our thoughts and ideas. We owe it to the communities we serve to have these important conversations first. After all, there won’t be a second chance to get our strategy right.


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