New research published today by the Directory of Social Change (DSC) has shed light on the financial support provided by Armed Forces charities.

Focus On: Armed Forces Charities’ Financial Support, funded by Forces in Mind Trust (FiMT), found that 178 Armed Forces charities provide financial support to at least 50,000 serving and ex-Service personnel and their families, spending at least £39 million in the year before the survey took place (July/August 2020). They represent around 10% of all Armed Forces charities currently operating in the UK.

The research highlighted the impact Covid-19 has had on the sector. Over three-quarters (77%) of the charities providing financial support surveyed for this study reported one or more negative consequences as a result of Covid-19, including a drop in fundraising or donated income (59%), having to pause services (43%) and depleted reserves (36%).

Data from survey respondents found that the most common types of financial support were grants or loans for essential goods (66%), benefits or welfare advice (55%), and cash gifts or vouchers to relieve need (43%). Charities also provide goods or gifts in kind, help with debt management, help with day-to-day budgeting, pensions advice and support for gambling addiction.

The research highlights the widespread collaboration in the sector, with the overwhelming majority (89%) of respondents reporting a partnership with at least one type of organisation to provide financial help – and on average, with four other types of organisations. Partnerships were most commonly with other Service charities (73%), but also included local authorities (50%), Ministry of Defence welfare services (50%), Armed Forces Covenant signatory organisations (46%), and community/welfare organisations (46%).

Despite the importance of this financial support for serving and ex-Service personnel and their families, one-quarter (25%) reported experiencing challenges raising funds. The report recommends further collaboration, particularly for micro charities where partnerships were less common, and better impact measurement across the sector.

Commenting on the launch of the report today, DSC Researcher and lead author, Chester Howarth said: “Whether living in the civilian or Armed Forces community, financial stressors can have far reaching impacts on individuals’ and families’ lives. Armed Forces charities play an important role in supporting their beneficiaries in times of hardship – but also in securing long-term financial well-being. This report explores the types of financial support provided, how this support is delivered, and details charities’ collaboration, evaluation and challenges.”

Ray Lock CBE, Chief Executive of Forces in Mind Trust said: “Financial advice and support are two of the most frequent reasons members of the Armed Forces community have for reaching out to charities. This report reflects the breadth of such charities and the extent to which they collaborate. Understanding the environment in which charities operate is key to making the case for funding, and for ensuring that support reaches beneficiaries in the most effective and efficient manner.”

Lieutenant General Sir Andrew Richard Gregory KBE CB DL, Chief Executive of SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity said: “Providing financial support is regularly the foundation on which veterans and their families can be helped to regain their independence and dignity. … I commend another excellent and relevant report by DSC; it shines a spotlight on a strategically important subject.”

Download the report for free at www.armedforcescharities.org.uk

About the report

This report is the last of the FiMT-funded DSC Focus On series, investigating the range of services provided by Armed Forces charities. Previous reports have covered physical health, mental health, housing, education, training and employment, the criminal justice system and families. All of the reports can be accessed here.

You can download the full report here.

About Forces in Mind Trust (FiMT):

FiMT was founded in November 2011 by a £35 million endowment from the Big Lottery Fund (now The National Lottery Community Fund). As a member of Cobseo – the Confederation of Service Charities and a permanent member of its Executive Committee, the Trust works within the Armed Forces charities sector, and much more widely, to support the UK’s Armed Forces Community.

The mission of FiMT is to enable ex-Service personnel and their families to make a successful and sustainable transition to civilian life. FiMT delivers this mission by generating an evidence base that influences and underpins policy making and service delivery, and by strengthening the Armed Forces charities sector through collaboration and leadership, and by building its capacity.

FiMT’s grants and commissions are designed to generate sustained change that improves the lives of ex-Service personnel and their families. FiMT awards grants to support its Change Model based on six outcomes: Housing; Employment; Health; Finance; Criminal Justice System and Relationships.

Website: www.fim-trust.org
Reports: www.fim-trust.org/reports/
What we fund: www.fim-trust.org/what-we-fund/
Twitter: @FiMTrust

About the Directory of Social Change (DSC):

DSC has a vision of an independent voluntary sector at the heart of social change. DSC believes the activities of independent charities, voluntary organisations and community groups are fundamental to achieve social change, and DSC exists to help these organisations and the people who support them to achieve their goals. It does this by:

·       providing practical tools that organisations and activists need, including online and printed publications, training courses, and conferences on a huge range of topics

·       acting as a ‘concerned citizen’ in public policy debates, often on behalf of smaller charities, voluntary organisations and community groups

·       leading campaigns and stimulating debate on key policy issues that affect those groups

·       carrying out research and providing information to influence policymakers.

DSC is the leading provider of information and training for the voluntary sector and publishes an extensive range of guides and handbooks covering subjects such as fundraising, management, communication, finance and law. Since 2014, DSC has worked with the Forces in Mind Trust to research and analyse the armed forces charities sector in the UK and has become the foremost expert in this field.

Website:  www.dsc.org.uk
Twitter: @DSC_Charity

 

About SSAFA, The Armed Forces charity:

SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, has been providing lifelong support to our Forces and their families since 1885. In 2019, our teams of volunteers and employees helped more than 85,000 people in need, the currently serving (both regulars and reserves), veterans from the Second World War and those who have served in more recent conflicts, as well as their families.

The SSAFA family includes the Military Wives Choirs, both an independent charity and a subsidiary of SSAFA, which supports women across the military community. SSAFA understands that behind every uniform is a person. And we are here for that person – any time they need us, in any way they need us, for as long as they need us.

Website:  www.ssafa.org.uk
Twitter: @SSAFA