CHARITIES and churches are suffering a “significant” impact on fundraising and projects as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Smaller operations are particularly exposed, with nearly two thirds reporting large cuts to services and around one in eight facing bankruptcy. Household names are also in trouble according to analysis by independent charity Pro Bono Economics. Around 25,000 jobs in the sector have already been lost with a total of 60,000 predicted across the UK. One of the charities that has been hit is Blythswood Care which runs foodbanks in the Highlands and Edinburgh as well as a Christmas shoebox gift appeal. It has seen a drop off in donations of 40,000 shoeboxes.
“There is no doubt we have seen a significant impact of restrictions on our normal fundraising activities,” CEO James Campbell told the Sunday National. “Our charity shops have had to be closed for much of the year and we have had to postpone almost all our in-person fundraising events, a number of which would take place in church buildings. “In addition the restrictions on Sunday church services – in particular the 50 person cap – have meant many larger churches have had very limited reopenings and have not been inviting external speakers or running appeals which is another key way of raising awareness and funds for our work.” Despite the challenges, he said staff and volunteers had “worked round the clock” to support vulnerable families in Scotland throughout the pandemic and the charity would still be distributing around 70,000 shoeboxes this year. In Inverness, the crisis has already cost King’s Church around £10,000 to keep its projects going. Before the pandemic hit, the parents’ and toddlers’ groups, with four paid staff, attracted around 300 parents and children every week and a coffee shop provided another popular meeting place.
During the lockdown the paid staff were put on furlough but although nurseries have been allowed to reopen, King’s parents’ and toddlers’ groups are unregulated and could initially restart with only five adults and five children. That number has increased to 15 adults and 15 children but is still a huge drop on the groups of 50 or 60 before Covid-19. “Since April it has cost us around £10,000 to keep it going and there is no doubt people have been deprived of social contact,” said co-pastor Chris Dowling. “People describe the groups as a lifeline – even in good times that is the language that is used. We also run parenting courses for those who want more support than just a chat but all this has fallen by the wayside.” In Dunfermline, one member of staff has been made redundant at the conference centre run by the Vine Church. Income at the centre, which is used for political conferences, business training and even car shows, plummeted to zero during lockdown.
Once the schools reopened, restrictions were lifted to allow some childcare and services like blood banks within the building but it is still taking only 25% of its previous income.
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Judith is a believer, a lover of Christ and a Gospel freak person. A passionate gospel blogger and press writer. I work with GospelHitsNaija.net Media, no 1 Gospel music platform.
