Huge amount of charity staff furloughed
More than 160,000 charity staff had been furloughed by the beginning of May, according to government figures sent to MPs. The data was included in the government’s response to a report on the impact of the coronavirus crisis on charities, published earlier this month by the UK government’s Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee. Responding to the committee's findings, the government said: “On Tuesday 12 May the chancellor announced that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will be extended to the end of October 2020, and this funding level will remain in place until the end of July 2020. “The scheme has been, and continues to be a lifeline to a multitude of organisations, including charities; our estimate is that, as of 3 May 2020, 164,000 jobs in the charity sector have been furloughed.” The government also used its response to reiterate the help available to charities through existing business support schemes, including emergency loans and rate exemptions, and to reject the committee’s recommendation to establish a stabilisation fund for charities.
Vital funding drive for north east cancer charity
Clan Cancer Support has launched a donations appeal in a bid to counter a “significant drop in income” resulting from the coronavirus pandemic. The charity has also seen increased demand for its telephone support, counselling and online services after being forced to close its branches due to the pandemic. The appeal comes as charities across the country report a surge in demand while voluntary income declines. Clan operates in the north and north east of Scotland, with a centre located in Lerwick. The charity has now launched its Here for You campaign which encourages people to donate £10 or whatever they can to help. Chief executive Dr Colette Backwell said: “Coronavirus is the toughest challenge Clan has ever faced, but we are continuing to support our clients through this time. We support over 2,600 people every year and it is more important than ever that Clan continues to be here for them, which is why we are launching the Here for You appeal today.”
Refugee fears as coronavirus hits camps
A desperate call has been made to the international community to increase support for Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh. On 14 May, the first COVID-19 positive case within the Rohingya refugee community was confirmed as 132 cases have now been reported at the wider district of Cox’s Bazar. UNHCR has currently provided 820,000 face masks for healthcare workers in Cox’s Bazar, along with setting up numerous isolation centres capable of isolating up to 2,000 COVID-19 patients. An additional 18 ICU beds have also been set up in Cox's Bazar main district hospital. “Bangladesh is currently in a general lockdown but the camps are so over packed that social distancing is impossible. Due to the high population density inside the camps and the upcoming cyclone season, there is a strong need for additional preparedness. Medical facilities lack enough ventilators and PPE for the 900,000 Rohingya living in refugee camps should cases spread,” Said Dr. Hussam Al Fakir, Chairman of medical charity UOSSM International.
Volunteers recruited to help charity shops reopen
Charity shops have struck a deal with a leading youth programme to help fill up to 95,000 volunteer roles as the sector recovers from the coronavirus pandemic. Teenagers could help plug a temporary gap in volunteers as shops start reopening their doors, and if enough come forward they could speed up the sector’s recovery and help more shops open sooner. England’s National Citizen Service (NCS) is partnering with charity shops for the first phase of its One Million Hours of Doing Good campaign, which will encourage those aged 16-18 to transform their “summer of disappointment” through volunteering. It estimates around 100,000 teenagers could engage with the programme, based on the uptake of previous schemes, but hopes more will take part given the disruption of normal activities. The Charity Retail Association (CRA) fears up to half of volunteers may be unable to return immediately, due to shielding, public transport struggles and feeling unable to leave the house during the pandemic.
