30% of Voluntary Sector Organisations in Suffolk said the impact of spending cuts would result in a reduced level of services and a reduction in members of staff.

35% felt there would be a challenge to the survival of their organisation.

A recent survey by The Suffolk Congress has revealed the impact of the funding cuts to the voluntary and community sector in Suffolk. The research reveals that:

· 50% of voluntary and community groups in Suffolk have an income of less than £10,000 per annum, revealing the extent of grassroots’ activity across the County

· 73% of the income generated by all voluntary and community groups is from the general public and 40% of these groups said that this was their primary source of income.

The research also revealed that 50% the voluntary and community sector groups expect their income to decrease.

“We are experiencing a significant increase in demand for grant support as income streams decline for many of our charities and they look towards grant funders for the shortfall”. Said Stephen Singleton, Suffolk Congress member and Chief Executive of The Suffolk Foundation, one of the County’s major voluntary sector funders.

Full results are available on www.thesuffolkcongress.org.uk, the new website for the Suffolk Congress

or contact the Congress Communications Group:

Halford Hewitt: [email protected]
Stephen Singleton: [email protected]
Wendy Herber: [email protected]
Hazel Pidsley: [email protected]