Cost and Operating Pressures Survey (formerly Cost of Living)

Forum Central is advocating on behalf of our members to ensure the third sector remains strong through ongoing financial pressures.

To support local people and communities through the cost-of-living crisis, services provided by third sector organisations are vital – and we understand that third sector organisations are under extreme financial pressures.

Forum Central is working with partners locally and regionally to provide evidence of this to help influence system partners at the highest level. This is in the context of the entire health and social care system facing very challenging financial pressures, representation of the third sector in developments is as important as ever.

The VCSE sector and Third Sector Infrastructure in Leeds is well-established, but must be supported as an equal partner to rise to the challenges being faced at this very difficult time.

Latest Cost Pressures Survey Results – April 2026

This report presents the results from the April 2026 Leeds Third Sector Cost and Operating Pressures Survey, which gathered information from third sector organisations about the financial pressures they are experiencing and the impact on staff, services and organisational viability.

The survey ran between 1 April and 1 May 2026 and received responses from 72 organisations. Findings indicate that financial strain remains persistently high, with funding sustainability, workforce mental health and energy costs identified as the top three concerns. Over a third of respondents are concerned about the risk of organisation closure.

Results from each Survey

The results of the survey have highlighted serious concerns shared across the sector about workforce retention and rising costs. Multiple factors present risks to the health and wellbeing of the third sector workforce, such as low pay and staff dealing with the impact of cost-of-living crisis individually and the stress of work pressure from increasing demand on services. This evidence led Forum Central to establish the Third Sector HR Network.

The results from each survey are below. These were published after each survey was conducted. (Google docs published for web).

Cost Pressures Survey Summary Report 2022 – 2024

This report collates the results from six surveys from 2022 to 2024 (available in two formats to aid accessibility):

About the Leeds Third Sector Cost Pressures Survey

The survey runs every 6 months. It is aimed at third sector organisations working primarily in the health and social care sector. It gathers evidence about the impact of cost pressures and potential risks to staff, services, and organisation viability. This helps Forum Central to understand:

• the current situation,
• the support third sector organisations need,
• how we work with system partners to provide better collective solutions,

Forum Central has been running the cost pressures survey since September 2022, quarterly up until April 2024, then six monthly. This enables us to share an ongoing picture of what’s happening and how the impact of the Cost-of-Living crisis is affecting third sector health and care organisations.

• Forum Central and VAL | Signposting to Support for the Third Sector
• Leeds City Council | Together Leeds – Helping with the cost of living page
• Leeds Community Foundation | Supporting communities through the cost of living crisis page
• West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership | Working with our VCSE sector partners Harnessing the Power of Communities Programme
• MindWell | The Mental health website for people in Leeds – Cost of living crisis section on MindWell
• Third Sector Leeds | Cost of Living Position Statement September 2022