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Beyond Essentials:
Community Responses to the Cost-of-Living Crisis
New Research undertaken by Rosie Cribb and Graham Davies, highlights the ways in which community organisations continue to respond to the Cost-of-Living Crisis, despite facing growing pressure themselves.
The report, Beyond Essentials: Community Responses to the Cost-of-Living Crisis, specifically examines the impacts of the crisis on community groups and organisations, as well as on the staff and volunteers who work for them. To date, this is one aspect of the Cost-of-Living Crisis which has not been comprehensively analysed. In doing so, the research highlights the types of support community organisations feel they need to continue doing their vital work, in addition to the challenges they face. The research shows starkly how that work really has become essential for many people – not only in terms of providing the essentials of life – such as food and fuel – but also increasingly stepping into shoes once worn by public sector organisations.
The research amplifies the experiences and needs of community groups and organisations undertaking much of this vital work. The lived experiences of people working or volunteering for community groups and organisations have shaped the report’s findings and recommendations.
For questions about the research, please contact Eleri Williams, Policy Officer, Building Communities Trust.
To download the report (English), please click here.
To download the report (Welsh), please click here.
To download the executive summary (English), please click here.
To download the executive summary (Welsh), please click here.
Key Findings
84% of respondents told us that the Cost-of-Living Crisis had affected the work of their organisation markedly.
Over 50% of respondents reported that demand on their services had increased, whilst their income decreased.
51% of respondents consider their organisation to be providing support which was previously the responsibility of the state. 54% said this had increased since the start of the Cost-of-Living Crisis.
Close to 80% of respondents told us that the Cost-of-Living Crisis has had a marked effect on staff and volunteers, with significant concerns over mental health and work pressures.
54% of community organisations told us they had set up new services, including ten organisations which were established in response to the crisis.
46% of respondents reported that new opportunities had arisen for their organisation during the Cost-of-Living Crisis, including new funding sources and new partnerships.
Recommendations
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The Welsh Government should develop a flexible, long-term funding model to support community action using the expanded Dormant Assets Scheme.
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Funders and commissioners should recognise the extreme pressures and additional demands community groups are experiencing, and build a contribution to core costs into funding awards.
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Funders and commissioners should ensure grant recipients and supplier pay their staff the real living wage.
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The Welsh Government should prioritise work on a Welsh Benefits System; recognising and investing in face-to-face provision of advice and assistance, ensuring people can access the support they are entitled to.
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The Welsh Government, funders and infrastructure bodies must support community organisations to meet rising energy costs, through a more expansive range of grant schemes including contributions to retrofit measures.
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Publicly funded bodies must commit to paying venue hire fees when using community facilities, contributing to their sustainability.