90 per cent of charity workers feel under pressure as funding
crisis mounts
4th March 2010
More than 90 per cent of voluntary sector staff feel their
well-being is being undermined due to the financial crisis facing
charities.
The survey results by Unite, the largest union in the country
with 60,000 members in the not for profit sector, were announced as
its members were due to lobby parliament on Tuesday, 9 March about
the sector’s future.
The survey shows that the way contracts are awarded in the
voluntary sector – short term with the emphasis on cost-cutting –
is having a detrimental effect on the sector’s 750,000 employees
and the services they deliver to clients and service users.
The issues raised will be addressed by the minister for the
third sector, Angela Smith MP, at the lobby in the House of
Commons.
The survey asked: Do you believe the way funding is currently
structured for your service is having a positive or negative impact
on:
- The service received by your clients / service users? 15
per cent were positive and 85 per cent were negative.
- You and your colleagues’ well-being (e.g. physical and mental
health, dignity at work, health and safety, and development in the
workplace) in your workplace? 8.2 per cent were positive and 91.8
per cent were negative.
Members reported low staff morale, high levels of stress and
anxiety, frustration at the short-term nature of contracts, and
experienced colleagues leaving as a result of the pressure as well
as reduced and stretched services for vulnerable clients.
Rachael Maskell, Unite’s national officer, not for profit
sector, said: ”The shocking results of our survey show a sector hit
by a short-term ‘revolving doors’ contract culture which is having
an serious adverse affect on employees’ health and
well-being.
”We are at a crossroads and Unite wants to work with government
and voluntary sector managements to plan for five-to-ten years
ahead to bring stability for staff and services. We must end this
‘think only for tomorrow’ culture.”
ENDS
NOTES TO NEWS EDITORS:
- There will be a photo-opportunity with a football theme – Kick
Stress Into Touch – at the Victoria Tower Gardens next to the
Houses of Parliament at 1.15pm on Tuesday, 9 March.
- The 9 March lobby will be in three parts – a round table
discussions involving Angela Smith. A mass meeting addressed by the
minister; Unite officers; and representatives of the National
Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) and the National
Association for Voluntary and Community Action (NAVCA). There will
then be an opportunity for members to lobby MPs on matters of local
concern.
- More details can be found on www.unitetheunion.org/fundinglobby
For further information, please ring: Rachael Maskell, national
officer, community and non profit sector 020 7420 8979, Doug
Nicholls, national secretary, community and youth workers
industrial sector 07970 345 381, Shaun Noble, communications
officer (third sector) 020 7420 8951
