​Report from CAF reveals importance of charity services in daily life

Most Britons have used charitable services in the past year, proving how important the sector is in people’s daily lives.

A poll for the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) discovered eight out of 10 people either bought goods in charity shops, visited charitably-run institutions - such as churches or community centres - or attended events organised by a charity.

Charities are so often the glue that holds communities together - John Low

More than one in 10 used these services more than once a week.

And nine out of 10 people said that charities play an essential, very or fairly important role in society.

The poll also found that nearly half of all households surveyed said that charities were essential to their lives.

In terms of the sector’s vital support role, 10% of people polled had attended counselling, a support group, or received mental health support, provided by a charity while 7% had received medical support.

John Low, chief executive of the Charities Aid Foundation, said: “Charities are so often the glue that holds communities together and this report shows how they support families in every part of the country and from every walk of life in truly amazing ways.

“The researchers estimate that the work charities do can be worth thousands of pounds a year to households, but for many it is simply priceless.

“It’s all too easy for politicians and others to forget the huge role that charities play in society. We must never take charities, or the millions of people who support them and benefit from their work, for granted.”