- Door-to-door, street and private site fundraising, in line
with Government guidance, can resume from 12 April as part of
step 2 of roadmap
- Announcement comes a year on since unprecedented £750 million
package of financial support for charities and civil society
groups
- Minister for Civil Society and Youth visits Mentoring Plus to
see funding at work
Civil Society Minister has hailed
the “invaluable” role of Britain’s charities in the nation’s
recovery from the coronavirus pandemic and urged the public to
“support them however they can”, as she announced that public
fundraising will be permitted to return from Monday 12 April, as
part of the next phase of the Government’s roadmap out of
lockdown.
The move will mean that fundraisers across the country will be
able to connect with people through door-to-door, street and
private site fundraising, in line with Government guidance.
Whilst charities have been able to raise funds throughout the
pandemic by finding ways to connect with people during lockdown,
this will act as an important income stream.
Today marks one year on since the Government announced
an unprecedented £750 million package of financial support for
charities and social enterprises, enabling them to continue
their vital work throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
Over the past year, the Government’s package has supported
vulnerable people and provided key services to over 15,000
organisations.
Grants have been awarded to larger charities such as St Johns
Ambulance, NSPCC, Age UK, Barnardo’s and the British Red Cross,
as well as thousands of smaller organisations helping vulnerable
people up and down the country, including those with
disabilities, young people and victims of domestic abuse.
marked the
milestone with a visit to Mentoring Plus, a Bath-based
charity which supports vulnerable young people aged 7 to 21
facing challenges through mentoring schemes via trained
volunteers, youth clubs, projects and inspiring activities
programmes. Many of the young people there have been impacted by
physical isolation during the pandemic.
Over £10,000 in Government funding is helping to meet increased
demand for its 1:1 mentoring services, ensuring no-one is left
behind as a result of the pandemic, as well as adapting its
ongoing services.
Minister for Civil Society and Youth, , said:
Our charities have played an invaluable role in the national
effort against coronavirus. From supporting those suffering
with poor mental health, to providing activities for young
people and tackling loneliness, they have responded to the
impact of coronavirus on vulnerable people and continue to
relieve the pressure on our NHS.
That’s why we have provided unprecedented financial support,
which has helped tens of thousands of people across the
country, and we continue to work closely with the sector to
understand where pressures are being felt.
As we move out of lockdown and public fundraising is permitted
from next week, it’s important to remember that many people
still rely on the vital work our charities do. I’d like to
thank the public for their continued generosity in supporting
charitable causes both with time and donations.
Mentoring Plus Chief Executive Ruth Keily said:
We were fortunate to receive funding from the National Lottery
Community Covid Funding last year – a challenging year when our
work was in high demand and our funding unpredictable. This
funding enabled us to continue to support young people and
deliver ‘recovery mentoring’ when their lives were disrupted.
We are proud to have been able to provide consistent support to
local young people during challenging times and giving them
their best chance of hope and happiness. We are delighted to
host the Minister, during our
Easter holiday activities – where young people can come
together and have fun, something they have missed out on and is
key to our values
, Chief Executive
of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising, said:
“The generosity of the British public in giving to charities
large and small to maintain vital services through the pandemic
has been simply astonishing. However many forms of fundraising,
as well as opportunities to give, take part in fundraising
events, and participate in the work of charities, have had to
be put on hold due to the lockdown.
We are delighted that from 12th April charities in England will
once again be able to have conversations on the doorstep or the
street about your favourite cause. As further stages of
lockdown ease we look forward to charities being able to plan
further fundraising events, bringing people together safely and
offering opportunities to once again join coffee mornings and
fetes, as well as concerts and larger participation events,
which all contribute to making the world a better place.
Lord Toby Harris, Chair of the Fundraising Regulator, said:
The announcement that public fundraising activities can resume
as we enter step 2 of the Coronavirus roadmap will be welcomed
by the charity fundraising sector. Door-to-door, street and
private site fundraising are all essential means of generating
vital funds for so many organisations that support our
communities across the UK.
On 12 April, the Fundraising Regulator and Chartered Institute
of Fundraising will be publishing updated guidance to support
fundraising organisations as they resume public fundraising
activities. The updated guidance will provide information in
line with the latest Government advice. Fundraising
organisations are strongly advised to review and follow this
updated guidance when planning their public fundraising
activities.
It is important that public fundraising activities should only
take place once a thorough risk assessment has been carried
out, so that the safety and wellbeing of staff, volunteers and
members of the public are protected. All fundraising should
continue to follow the standards as set out in the Code of
Fundraising Practice.
Notes to editors:
The £750 million funding
includes:
- £200 million that was delivered through the Coronavirus Community
Support Fund, reaching more than 8,000 charities across
every region in England.
- £160 million allocated by central government departments to
charities in England, both to support key public services and
reach and provide much needed income to charities working in
areas such as mental health and homelessness.
- £85 million provided through the Community Match
Challenge.
- £37 million in match funding through the generous public
donations to the BBC Big Night In.
- £7.5 million provided to help tackle loneliness over
the very difficult winter period.
- £16.5 million for youth organisations
