--- title: Increased demand cited as greatest concern for small charities this winter description: Neighbourly research finds that increased demand cited as greatest concern for small charities this winter image: https://blog.neighbourly.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/61b8bdff5a438b21f29ae470-Aug-27-2024-02-26-29-1094-PM.jpg --- [General](https://blog.neighbourly.com/tag/general) [Guides & Resources](https://blog.neighbourly.com/tag/guides-resources) [Charities & causes](https://blog.neighbourly.com/tag/charities-causes) [Case studies](https://blog.neighbourly.com/tag/case-studies) # Increased demand cited as greatest concern for small charities this winter By [Isobel Gauld](https://blog.neighbourly.com/author/isobel-gauld) on December 14, 2021 [**Back](https://blog.neighbourly.com) Increased demand cited as greatest concern for small charities this winter Share [mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://blog.neighbourly.com/increased-demand-cited-as-greatest-concern-for-small-charities-this-winter%20&body=Check%20out%20https://blog.neighbourly.com/increased-demand-cited-as-greatest-concern-for-small-charities-this-winter&media=https://7111797.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/7111797/Imported_Blog_Media/61b8bdff5a438b21f29ae470-Aug-27-2024-02-26-29-1094-PM.jpg](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://blog.neighbourly.com/increased-demand-cited-as-greatest-concern-for-small-charities-this-winter%20&body=Check%20out%20https://blog.neighbourly.com/increased-demand-cited-as-greatest-concern-for-small-charities-this-winter&media=https://7111797.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/7111797/Imported_Blog_Media/61b8bdff5a438b21f29ae470-Aug-27-2024-02-26-29-1094-PM.jpg) ![Isobel Gauld](https://blog.neighbourly.com/hubfs/1600357773382.jpeg) ###### Isobel Gauld Marketing & Communications Manager at Neighbourly [**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/isobel-gauld-8087a0172) [** ](mailto:isobel.gauld@neighbourly.com) [** Back to main blog](https://blog.neighbourly.com) Share [mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://blog.neighbourly.com/increased-demand-cited-as-greatest-concern-for-small-charities-this-winter%20&body=Check%20out%20https://blog.neighbourly.com/increased-demand-cited-as-greatest-concern-for-small-charities-this-winter&media=https://7111797.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/7111797/Imported_Blog_Media/61b8bdff5a438b21f29ae470-Aug-27-2024-02-26-29-1094-PM.jpg](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://blog.neighbourly.com/increased-demand-cited-as-greatest-concern-for-small-charities-this-winter%20&body=Check%20out%20https://blog.neighbourly.com/increased-demand-cited-as-greatest-concern-for-small-charities-this-winter&media=https://7111797.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/7111797/Imported_Blog_Media/61b8bdff5a438b21f29ae470-Aug-27-2024-02-26-29-1094-PM.jpg) A recent survey of over 1,200 small charities and local good causes in Neighbourly’s network has highlighted a rise in demand as the biggest concern this winter.  Whilst demand overall appears to be just over 2% higher than this time last year, with causes supporting an average of 372 people per week, it is 24% up from mid way through the first wave of the pandemic in June 2020 when the average figure was 299 per week. Similar patterns have emerged from the Trussell Trust, the UK’s largest network of food banks, where its [CEO Emma Revie recently told the Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/nov/28/covid-britain-boris-johnson-poverty-hunger): “Food banks in our network continue to see more and more people facing destitution” - after finding that their network had seen an 11% rise in winter demand when compared to the same period in 2019.  > 'More families are struggling to put on decent meals for the family during the Christmas holidays'   In particular for food banks in the Neighbourly network, a huge 92% believe that this will be their busiest Christmas on record. For many of the good causes with the highest concerns around demand, the story is the same. Families struggling with the impacts of the pandemic and rising costs of living simply can’t afford the basic pleasures of Christmas that many others take for granted.  [Simple Norfolk](https://www.neighbourly.com/project/5ef225f3c7ac89105cac1292) is a charitable organisation providing services and volunteering opportunities to young people. Charity Director, Carla Barreto, said : “More families are struggling to put on decent meals for the family during the Christmas holidays. At the peak of winter with fuel costs and additional holiday spending, many just do not have enough money left for food.” ## Economic trends Compounding the concern is financial stability - the second greatest challenge for small charities and good causes, after rising demand. Almost half of respondents said they have seen a drop in income in the past 3 months, whilst two-thirds also expect demand to continue to rise in the next three months. Around 20% think the rise could be over 50% on current levels. For [Moorlands Community Charity](https://www.neighbourly.com/project/57714484c333c52c78a523c4), which supports older people, young people and those experiencing social isolation, funding is especially needed at Christmas to support those who might otherwise go without.  ![Image](https://blog.neighbourly.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/61b8c212845d795fc98634f9-1.jpg)   'We provide a great deal of social activities for adults, children, families and young people that would not normally have the means to access these,' says Jacky Crawford, CEO at Moorlands. 'We also provide Christmas presents to children and young people and our food bank is particularly busy as many can't afford food at Christmas.' These findings are a reflection of recent findings from the New Economics Foundation that suggest that [half of families are £110 a year worse off since](https://neweconomics.org/2021/12/two-years-on-britain-has-been-torn-apart-not-levelled-up)[2019](https://neweconomics.org/2021/12/two-years-on-britain-has-been-torn-apart-not-levelled-up).  With the £20 Universal Credit uplift now removed, 86% of causes are concerned about the impact this will have on their organisation and the community they operate in. The end of the furlough scheme and rising gas prices are also sources of concern, with 62% very or extremely concerned about the impact of increased fuel costs. What’s more, 69% are very or extremely worried about access to sufficient nutritious food for the people they support. These economic concerns are all the more worrying for good causes that support local communities experiencing the highest levels of poverty and deprivation, where their services are critical for the health and wellbeing needs of the people they help.  > 'People have been struggling all year'   'Many people in the community are unemployed, working poor or have had their furlough payments come to an end,' confirms Maureen Chaseley of [The Marketplace](https://www.neighbourly.com/project/6123b622ab5c7c968a80b5e9) community larder, for which this is the first Christmas they have been able to open since the start of the pandemic. Yvie Bernett at [Chirk Community Agent](https://www.neighbourly.com/project/5ede14e6c7ac892f1cc1b298) adds: 'People have been struggling all year and are now being hit with reductions in universal credit and removal of furlough payments at the same time as prices are rising rapidly - particularly fuel and food costs.' ## An emotional toll As a result, frontline charities and community causes are feeling the pressure. As part of this quarter’s survey we asked causes to rate how they are feeling at the moment. Using the net promoter score (NPS) framework to create a sentiment score which ranges from a low of -100 to a high of +100, we found the result was -33. Anything under a score of 0 is painting a negative picture. When we asked a similar question about how causes feel things are for the local communities and the people they are supporting, the average score dropped to -77.  For secondary schools, where concern for the impact of the pandemic on teenage pupils is naturally evident, the score was -100. Similarly, mental health charities which are looking after some of the country’s most vulnerable people, reported this measure as -89.  As our previous survey conducted in early summer 2021 showed, mental health remains number one on the list of concerns when it comes to beneficiaries - with three quarters rating it as either very or extremely concerning.  ## Prioritising community impact ![Image](https://blog.neighbourly.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/61b8c2e25a438b21f29ae47a-1.jpg)   Charities and good causes operating at a local level are performing vital work and have stepped in to deliver front-line services that go way beyond their pre-pandemic remit at a time when traditional methods of generating income have been disrupted.  Many local charities have been forced to do more with less during the last two years and have demonstrated phenomenal agility and creativity - drawing upon local knowledge, resources and goodwill to deliver what communities truly need, and fast. As a result, the need for financial support is greater than ever, particularly in light of the uncertainties of new Covid variants and the threat of further lock-downs. In the last six months alone, Neighbourly has disbursed over £1m in local community grants through partnerships with Sainsbury’s and Virgin Media O2, which has been amazing. This is in addition to support from Southern Co-op, RSA, Aldi, M&S, Lidl, Cadent, Coca-Cola EP, Danone, giffgaff, Heineken and the B&Q Foundation. Businesses like these have huge potential to make a difference to local communities whilst meeting their own CSR and ESG objectives - linking up with the good causes that have the local knowledge and connections to make the biggest impact, at scale. [*Good causes can join our 18,000+ community for free*](https://www.neighbourly.com/accounts/registerchoice)*, to access grant funding programmes, food and product surplus and employee volunteer resources, as well as adding their voice to our regular community surveys.* *For businesses wanting to connect with and support local communities, *[*follow us on LinkedIn*](http://linkedin.com/company/3107176)* and *[*Twitter*](https://twitter.com/nbrly)* - or click the blue ‘Get in touch’ button below to book a demo.* [Get in touch](https://www.neighbourly.com/accounts/registerchoice) [** Previous Post](https://blog.neighbourly.com/the-corporate-giving-campaigns-that-are-supporting-local-communities-this-giving-tuesday) [View All](https://blog.neighbourly.com) [Next Post **](https://blog.neighbourly.com/neighbourly-christmas-film-thanks-clients-and-4000-strong-army-of-local-good-causes) ### Subscribe to the Neighbourly blog Stay connected with Neighbourly and receive new blog posts, insights & research findings directly in your inbox. ### Related Posts [![Neighbourly Community Survey: How Local Causes are Responding to the Challenges of 2024](https://blog.neighbourly.com/hubfs/iStock-1448774451.jpg) ](https://blog.neighbourly.com/neighbourly-community-survey-how-local-causes-are-responding-to-the-challenges-of-2024) 4 min read [neighbourly](https://blog.neighbourly.com/tag/neighbourly) [Charities & causes](https://blog.neighbourly.com/tag/charities-causes) ##### [Neighbourly Community Survey: How Local Causes are Responding to the Challenges of 2024](https://blog.neighbourly.com/neighbourly-community-survey-how-local-causes-are-responding-to-the-challenges-of-2024) By [Isobel Gauld](https://blog.neighbourly.com/author/isobel-gauld) on November 21, 2024 The past year has presented local charities and community groups across the UK and Ireland with a familiar set of... [ Continue Reading ](https://blog.neighbourly.com/neighbourly-community-survey-how-local-causes-are-responding-to-the-challenges-of-2024) [![Neighbourly Christmas film thanks clients and 4,000 strong army of local good causes](https://blog.neighbourly.com/hubfs/1728495101389.jpeg) ](https://blog.neighbourly.com/neighbourly-christmas-film-thanks-clients-and-4000-strong-army-of-local-good-causes) 2 min read [General](https://blog.neighbourly.com/tag/general) [Charities & causes](https://blog.neighbourly.com/tag/charities-causes) ##### [Neighbourly Christmas film thanks clients and 4,000 strong army of local good causes](https://blog.neighbourly.com/neighbourly-christmas-film-thanks-clients-and-4000-strong-army-of-local-good-causes) By [Isobel Gauld](https://blog.neighbourly.com/author/isobel-gauld) on December 15, 2021 This December Neighbourly has launched a film to celebrate and thank its corporate partners and the thousands of good... [ Continue Reading ](https://blog.neighbourly.com/neighbourly-christmas-film-thanks-clients-and-4000-strong-army-of-local-good-causes) [![Neighbourly launches new Emergency Fund to help communities in crisis](https://blog.neighbourly.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/61a52396e5564b4ccf20d161-Aug-27-2024-02-13-27-6497-PM.jpg) ](https://blog.neighbourly.com/new-emergency-fund-in-response-to-cost-of-living-and-humanitarian-crisis) 2 min read [neighbourly](https://blog.neighbourly.com/tag/neighbourly) [General](https://blog.neighbourly.com/tag/general) [Charities & causes](https://blog.neighbourly.com/tag/charities-causes) ##### [Neighbourly launches new Emergency Fund to help communities in crisis](https://blog.neighbourly.com/new-emergency-fund-in-response-to-cost-of-living-and-humanitarian-crisis) By [Isobel Gauld](https://blog.neighbourly.com/author/isobel-gauld) on March 15, 2022 Millions are facing a humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, with 12M at risk of becoming internally displaced. Meanwhile the... [ Continue Reading ](https://blog.neighbourly.com/new-emergency-fund-in-response-to-cost-of-living-and-humanitarian-crisis) [![Key takeaways from Neighbourly’s Donation Management webinar](https://blog.neighbourly.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/62ecea02d32e721700bc4450-Aug-27-2024-02-12-56-6096-PM.jpeg) ](https://blog.neighbourly.com/key-takeaways-from-neighbourly-donation-management-webinar) 3 min read [General](https://blog.neighbourly.com/tag/general) [Guides & Resources](https://blog.neighbourly.com/tag/guides-resources) ##### [Key takeaways from Neighbourly’s Donation Management webinar](https://blog.neighbourly.com/key-takeaways-from-neighbourly-donation-management-webinar) By [Jane Halstead](https://blog.neighbourly.com/author/jane-halstead) on August 5, 2022 This summer our CEO, Steve Butterworth, hosted a panel discussion with representatives from B&Q, Lidl and Gallagher... [ Continue Reading ](https://blog.neighbourly.com/key-takeaways-from-neighbourly-donation-management-webinar) [![Gifts that Give - M&S and Neighbourly’s Christmas Partnership Launch](https://blog.neighbourly.com/hubfs/M%26S-1-1.png) ](https://blog.neighbourly.com/m-and-s-gifts-that-give) 3 min read [In the news](https://blog.neighbourly.com/tag/in-the-news) [General](https://blog.neighbourly.com/tag/general) ##### [Gifts that Give - M&S and Neighbourly’s Christmas Partnership Launch](https://blog.neighbourly.com/m-and-s-gifts-that-give) By [Isobel Gauld](https://blog.neighbourly.com/author/isobel-gauld) on November 4, 2022 This Christmas M&S has teamed up with Neighbourly to deliver a Christmas campaign with a purpose. As winter can be a... [ Continue Reading ](https://blog.neighbourly.com/m-and-s-gifts-that-give) [![Seeds of Change to boost local climate and greening projects post COP26](https://blog.neighbourly.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/6192354dbb0f136f70aac5f9-Aug-27-2024-02-20-28-9444-PM.jpeg) ](https://blog.neighbourly.com/seeds-of-change-to-boost-local-climate-greening-projects-post-cop26) 5 min read [General](https://blog.neighbourly.com/tag/general) [Charities & causes](https://blog.neighbourly.com/tag/charities-causes) [Fundraising](https://blog.neighbourly.com/tag/fundraising) ##### [Seeds of Change to boost local climate and greening projects post COP26](https://blog.neighbourly.com/seeds-of-change-to-boost-local-climate-greening-projects-post-cop26) By [Jane Halstead](https://blog.neighbourly.com/author/jane-halstead) on November 15, 2021 At the start of October, Neighbourly partnered with Southern Co-op, RSA, Cadent, Coca-Cola EP, Danone and M&G to launch [ Continue Reading ](https://blog.neighbourly.com/seeds-of-change-to-boost-local-climate-greening-projects-post-cop26) [![Weathering the Storm: Insights from Neighbourly's Community Survey](https://blog.neighbourly.com/hubfs/Lady%20at%20the%20Aardagh%20Bristol%20.png) ](https://blog.neighbourly.com/weathering-the-storm-insights-from-neighbourlys-community-survey) 4 min read [In the news](https://blog.neighbourly.com/tag/in-the-news) [General](https://blog.neighbourly.com/tag/general) ##### [Weathering the Storm: Insights from Neighbourly's Community Survey](https://blog.neighbourly.com/weathering-the-storm-insights-from-neighbourlys-community-survey) By [Jane Halstead](https://blog.neighbourly.com/author/jane-halstead) on June 28, 2024 The past year has brought immense challenges for communities across the UK and Ireland. From the persistent... [ Continue Reading ](https://blog.neighbourly.com/weathering-the-storm-insights-from-neighbourlys-community-survey) [![5 ways to access fundraising support post Virgin Money Giving](https://blog.neighbourly.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/6194ea1c0f3be9ed472bfd27-Aug-27-2024-02-25-00-0626-PM.jpg) ](https://blog.neighbourly.com/5-ways-to-access-fundraising-support-post-virgin-money-giving) 6 min read [General](https://blog.neighbourly.com/tag/general) [Guides & Resources](https://blog.neighbourly.com/tag/guides-resources) [Charities & causes](https://blog.neighbourly.com/tag/charities-causes) ##### [5 ways to access fundraising support post Virgin Money Giving](https://blog.neighbourly.com/5-ways-to-access-fundraising-support-post-virgin-money-giving) By [Jane Halstead](https://blog.neighbourly.com/author/jane-halstead) on November 17, 2021 Platforms like Virgin Money Giving have offered millions of charitable organisations a simple means to create... [ Continue Reading ](https://blog.neighbourly.com/5-ways-to-access-fundraising-support-post-virgin-money-giving) [![What the new Labour government could mean for local communities](https://blog.neighbourly.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/668e506ec76e97e5b1e97c0d-Aug-27-2024-02-14-10-8825-PM.jpeg) ](https://blog.neighbourly.com/what-the-new-labour-government-means-for-local-communities) 3 min read [In the news](https://blog.neighbourly.com/tag/in-the-news) [General](https://blog.neighbourly.com/tag/general) ##### [What the new Labour government could mean for local communities](https://blog.neighbourly.com/what-the-new-labour-government-means-for-local-communities) By [Isobel Gauld](https://blog.neighbourly.com/author/isobel-gauld) on July 10, 2024 We’re at a pivotal time for UK politics. The past five days since the announcement of the Labour win have been awash... [ Continue Reading ](https://blog.neighbourly.com/what-the-new-labour-government-means-for-local-communities) [![Neighbourly Food Terms and Conditions “Neighbourly Food”](https://blog.neighbourly.com/hubfs/20230307_0231-2.jpg) ](https://blog.neighbourly.com/neighbourly-food-terms-and-conditions-lidl-product-donations) 7 min read ##### [Neighbourly Food Terms and Conditions “Neighbourly Food”](https://blog.neighbourly.com/neighbourly-food-terms-and-conditions-lidl-product-donations) By [Jane Halstead](https://blog.neighbourly.com/author/jane-halstead) on November 10, 2020 The following terms and conditions shall apply in the event that the Community Donee receives access to the Lidl... [ Continue Reading ](https://blog.neighbourly.com/neighbourly-food-terms-and-conditions-lidl-product-donations)