Charities set to get slice of £750million cash boost say it must be start of more support in Harrogate

The district's domestic abuse support services and hospices will be at the front of the queue when grant applications open this month, with smaller charities helping fight the virus also able to apply for thousands of pounds in emergency funds.

It comes amid growing concerns that some charities are facing collapse as incomes shrink and staff are furloughed because of enforced shop closures.

But some frontline care charities have seen their volunteer numbers rise dramatically as scores of willing residents step forward to do their bit in the covid-19 battle by offering to help Harrogate's most vulnerable.

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Harrogate and Ripon Centres for Voluntary Service (HARCVS) - an umbrella organisation which provides support to and runs several charities - has seen a flood of people join its voluntary ranks and has welcomed the government's support package.

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, HARCVS Chief Executive Karen Weaver said: "Volunteers are absolutely crucial and we have taken on a lot in the last few weeks, even when we had over 100 on our books before the coronavirus crisis started.

"The task for us all in the voluntary sector is to relive pressure on the NHS and social care system by helping where we can so people do not need to be escalated into those sectors.

"And the package from the government is very much needed by charities right now.

"We completely understand the government has faced an extraordinary range of challenges with this crisis and we have got there in the end, but there is a long way to go in this - it is still very early days."

The emergency funds for charities was announced last week by Chancellor Rishi Sunak, coming behind unprecedented support plans for businesses and the self-employed.

Now - and amid rising pressure on the government to outline an exit strategy from lockdown - Mr Sunak is warning that the UK economy will face challenges in bouncing back quickly.

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Steve Scarre, chairman of Horticap, a Harrogate charity which teaches adults with learning and other disabilities crafts and rural skills, questioned weather the government funding will be enough for small charities to weather the coronavirus storm.

He said: "As you are aware charity shops are all closed and trusts are being inundated for requests for funding - they do not have limitless pots of money.

"So like most businesses who do not have big or any reserves and survive on a day to day basis they are suffering and will be hit hard. I am not sure if the amount of funding announced is sufficient particularly if the lockdown situation continues for much longer.

"This is not a criticism but announcing a funding allocation is like preparing a business forecast. Forecasting is the easier part of the process, successful implementation and delivery is what really matters."

Announcing the emergency funds last week, Mr Sunak said £360million will be directly allocated by government departments to charities providing key services during the crisis.

Another £370million will go to small local charities, including those delivering food and essential medicines, and others which provide financial advice.

Mr Sunak said: "Our charities are playing a crucial role in the national fight against coronavirus, supporting those who are most in need.

"It’s right we do everything we can to help the sector during this difficult time, which is why we have announced this unprecedented £750 million package of extra funding.

"This will ensure our key charities can continue to deliver the services that millions of people up and down the country rely on."

By Jacob Webster, Local Democracy Reporter

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