Former CEO of Scottish SPCA warns of doomsday scenario facing an underfunded third sector
Scotland’s third sector is in crisis, stretched beyond breaking point and can no longer afford to fill gaps in public services as funding and support has gone.
That’s the blunt reality from former Scottish SPCA CEO, Kirsten Campbell (pictured).
The outgoing head paints a depressing canvas where Scotland’s charities are woefully underfunded, undervalued and struggling to run the vital services that communities rely on.
In a blog Campbell says charities are fragile like never before with the majority of Scotland’s third sector facing a financial crunch.
Energy bills have doubled, wages have risen, NI costs increased, and those on the front line know that every service being delivered now simply costs far more to run while funding is falling.
She adds: “Scotland likes to pride itself on its community spirit and generosity. We celebrate our charities and volunteers – those ‘unsung heroes’ who often pick up the pieces when others fall through the cracks.
“For close to a decade, I’ve been lucky to be chief executive of one of Scotland’s largest charities and I’ve seen first-hand the incredible work our third sector does.
“But as I finish up my time at the Scottish SPCA, I have a blunt and honest message: Scotland’s charitable sector is in crisis.”
Beneath the goodwill and accolades, the harsh reality is that Scotland’s third sector – in all its forms – is stretched to breaking point, expected to fill ever-expanding gaps left by over-stretched public services, yet given neither the funding nor the support to do so, said Campbell.
Across Scotland, 63% of charities have reported rising demand for their services over the past two years and more than 90% of front-line charities reported seeing worsening daily needs in 2023.
“We’re talking about people in acute mental distress because NHS waiting lists are too long, families who can’t afford groceries turning to food banks, people having to choose between putting food on their table or caring for their pets, older people relying on volunteer-led community transport because public services don’t reach them,” she said.
"The public sector, under strain, often can’t cope, so the default expectation is “the charities will handle it.”
“And we try – of course we do. But what happens when the helpers are running on empty?”
Campbell said funders – like governments – need to think differently about where they give cash and how it is used. It’s time to acknowledge that a collaborative mission, where organisations – private and public - can work together to tackle root causes rather than endlessly treat symptoms, would be a stronger approach.
She believes a cross-party summit with government is needed to take a meaningful look at both the pressures on and the sustainability of Scotland’s charity sector.
"If we can find billions to bolster businesses during a pandemic, or to handle NHS backlogs (both worthy), surely, we can find a fraction of that to prevent the collapse of essential charities and work towards a new joined up system of charitable support?"
Campbell left the 185 year old charity in May after eight years at the helm during which time she oversaw the development of an ambitious 10-year strategy.
Anna Hart, the current director of people, culture and transformation, will serve as interim CEO until a permanent replacement is appointed.
