Forum Central is supporting our members to ensure the third sector remains strong through the current financial pressures.
Third sector infrastructure in Leeds is well-established but must be supported to rise to the challenges being faced at this very difficult time.
To support local people and communities get through the cost-of-living crisis services provided by Third Sector organisations are vital. Forum Central is working to provide evidence of challenges facing the third sector workforce, producing recommendations to support third sector organisations and working with system partners to influence at the highest level. The whole health and care system facing financial pressures and the voice of the third sector must be heard.
Cost Pressures Evidence
Cost Pressures Survey
Complete the latest cost pressures survey here (link to google form, no sign-in required). Our quarterly survey is currently OPEN and accepting responses until Wednesday 8 May 2024.
This survey is aimed at third sector organisations working in 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 it since September 2022. 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.
Survey Results
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 available to view using the links below (Google docs published for web)
Watch the Sept/Oct 2023 results explained (video, 8 mins)
Cost-of-Living Resources
- Third Sector Leeds | Cost of Living Position Statement September 2022
- 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 & 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
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