Recessions and Regeneration 2

I was in one of my local charities recently, where they were facing a major cut from their main funder (the PCT) and only two months to replace the money. The CEO looked as if he hadn't slept for a week. On the front page of the local newspaper (Oxford Mail) the City Council was also announcing cuts to local VCS organisations.

I confess I am glad that I am no longer the CEO of a third sector organisation any more. There seem to be no options to replace the money (given the short notice and the lack of money available on all sides). So all you are left with is to cut staff levels and services to your beneficiaries. And it is heartbreaking to have to do this at a time when demand for your services are rising, as people suffer as a result of the recession. You don't go into this business to turn people away, but that is what you will have to do.

The local VCS was an important part of our regeneration programme's strategy for delivery and sustainability and I still believe that because of their commitment to local delivery they remain so, but it is tragic that they are having to fight to continue delivering (increasingly) important services.