The Big Squeeze Campaign
London Voluntary Service Council (LVSC) and its partners have been seeking evidence from voluntary and community organisations across London about the impact of the recession on the sector. The latest developments of the campaign are listed below and LVSC has also collated a range of external research on the economic downturn.
LVSC launches Big Squeeze report - Phase 2
The report was showcased on the 24th of May at the ‘Post-Election Event 2010’, run in partnership by London Voluntary Service Council and Community Alliance, which investigated the implications of the recent elections for the Voluntary and Community Sector. The coalition government has identified reducing public debt as its ‘most urgent task’, confirming the timeliness of the Big Squeeze project. The Phase 2 report consolidates many of the findings from Phase 1 but has also picked up on innovative plans that organisations are making to survive recession.
For more information please download the full report:
Big Squeeze Phase 2 Results
Thanks to everyone who took the time to complete the survey. By contributing you have added your voice to London’s biggest and broadest VCS campaign around the recession and its effects in London. Your response gives weight and credibility to the campaign, which helps LVSC and our partners make the strongest possible case for our sector’s role in tackling the recession.
Selected findings of the VCS organisations responding:
97% - say the recession is affecting the communities we work with.
70% - say their workload has increased as a direct result of the recession.
75% - say they are not confident of being able to meet increases in demand for our services now and in the future.
93% - say their organisation is already taking action to help it and its services survive a recession.
54% - expected funding from the public sector to decrease in 2010-11 compared to 2009-10.
39% - expected funding from trust funders to decrease in 2010-11 compared to 2009-10.
We aim to produce a detailed report in the Spring.
For an idea of how the information will be used take a look at our July 09 Phase 1 report, available below. For further information please contact bigsqueeze@lvsc.org.uk
Big Squeeze Phase 1 Final Report
Big Squeeze Phase 1 Final Report - Executive Summary
LVSC launches Big Squeeze report - Phase 1
Today London's Mayor Boris Johnson highlighted the valuable work charities undertake in a recession at the launch of London Voluntary Service Council's Big Squeeze report in July 2009. The report examines the effects of the downturn on Londoners and the Voluntary and Community groups that serve them.
Boris Johnson said "Now, more than ever, is when community and voluntary groups come into their own by helping Londoners through the downturn. Whether guiding them towards work opportunities, or offering financial advice, they have a crucial role to play and I will continue to work closely with the sector to help with their valuable work, wherever I can."
The Big Squeeze survey, which ran from January to April 2009, took detailed responses from over 100 organisations within London's Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS). It found that:
- 95% of groups responding indicated the recession was already affecting them and the communities they support;
- 71% reported an increased workload (increased demand for services) as a result of the recession;
- 80% were not confident they could continue to meet this demand indefinitely; but more positively
- 78% of organisations were already taking action to help them survive the recession.
Download:
Big Squeeze presentation for Advice UK October 2009
