About
The meeting brought together voices from Camden Council and the local VCS sector to discuss the challenges and potential solutions of the current crisis.
The forum included eye-opening accounts of the intense strain felt by voluntary and community groups, and highlighted the importance of cross-sector unity and collaboration during these difficult times. VAC also presented the findings from our Members Cost of Living Survey, which revealed the increased demand in services that VCS organisations are facing as a result of the crisis.
Guest Speakers include:
- John Muir from Camden Council – Head of Community Partnerships
- Sarah Sedley from Camden Council – Tackling Poverty Programme Manager
- Farrah Rainfly from Life after hummus
- Hannah Norgate from London Plus
Presentations
Background
VAC is deeply concerned for the continued resilience of our sector and is calling for cross-sector unity and resistance to the much-anticipated reduction in public spending. The government has announced immediate, short-term action to support households, businesses, and the charity sector cope with soaring energy bills. For many households this will not abate the financial strain they are facing, nor will it alleviate continued pressure on already stretched frontline services.
Before we have even begun to recover from the impact of the pandemic, the sector is faced with another crisis that may last even longer.
The voluntary Community Sector (VCS) needs additional targeted financial support to deliver essential services, but we also want to work systematically with the council to tackle the crisis.
VAC has joined Camden Infrastructure Alliance to publish a joint statement on the cost of living crisis to highlight the impact on the sector and the community it serves.
In October, VAC launched a member survey to better understand how the crisis is impacting the VCS, how community organisations are responding, and what further support the sector needs to tackle this new challenge.
