The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) is the national organisation for the voluntary sector which is made up of about 40,000 organisations.
SCVO says that even more government money is needed, and it would like to work with The Scottish Government to understand the needs of what it describes as ‘such a diverse sector’.
SCVO has coordinated the Wellbeing Fund along with Corra Foundation, Inspiring Scotland, STV Appeal and The Scottish Government.
The body is providing ‘coordination, infrastructure and insight’ to deliver the £50 million of funding provided by The Scottish Government during the pandemic. This fund was opened to third sector organisations for applications for emergency funding on 13 April.
The Fund is being delivered through an innovative model which involves national organisations and funders working alongside Third Sector Interfaces from across Scotland’s 32 local authorities.
The first round closed on 30 April having received over 1,000 applications, with half of applications already assessed and more than £6 million approved for funding so far.
The demand for more comes in its briefing notes for the Scottish Government debate on Covid-19 next steps (Communities) to be held on 9 June 2020.
Recently SCVO announced the successful applicants for some of the monies already paid from the Wellbeing Fund, with many of these groups in Edinburgh and Midlothian.
SCVO has chosen ‘community anchor organisations’ which are already playing a key active role in providing services within their community.
Anna Fowlie, Chief Executive of the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), one of the national funding partners, said: “I am pleased we are able to build on the success of the first round of the Wellbeing Fund and bring much-needed funding to voluntary sector organisations. Across Scotland, the sector is providing vital services and support to the people who need it most. New needs are emerging as the full impact of the pandemic unfolds and it is important that those needs are addressed. The partnership of government, grant-makers and local and national infrastructure organisations has been fundamental to making this work.”
The organisation explains on their website why the organisations were chosen: “They are well placed to work collaboratively and will help to support a coordinated approach locally, working with other active local charities, third sector organisations, volunteers, communities of interest and making links with the Local Authority, Third Sector Interfaces and other statutory providers, and can act as a conduit for funding to help channel support to where it is needed.”
Funding for 258 community anchor organisations has been approved at present.
Those in Edinburgh and Midlothian who will get funding are:
| Bridgend Farmhouse | £18,100 |
| Edinburgh City Youth Café | £82,713 |
| Edinburgh Community Food | £25,800 |
| Edinburgh Community Health Forum | £56,693 |
| Edinburgh Old Town Development Trust | £27,720 |
| North Edinburgh Arts | £96,370 |
| Out of the Blue Arts and Education Trust | £49,157 |
| Gorebridge Community Development Trust | £57,000 |
| Mayfield and Easthouses Development Trust | £35,000 |
| Penicuik Community Development Trust | £52,000 |
| Rosewell Development Trust | £15,725 |
SCVO predict that their member organisations which do continue working will be needed even more in the face of unemployment, poverty and debt. The Scottish Parliament recommended setting up a working group at the end of last year, and SCVO back this while expressing their willingness to discuss other means of support recognising the expertise, experience and reach of the voluntary sector.
In 2018 SCVO estimated that the combined turnover of charities and other voluntary organisations was £6.06 billion, funded by contracts, grants and fundraising. Most will experience a predicted drop of about 30% in their income this year. Some have already folded during the pandemic, while they say that voluntary help in the areas of youth work, arts and culture, community cafés, transport schemes and childcare will be needed more than ever.
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