Evidence library

UK report exploring the impact of rising costs/cost of living on communities and on faith groups.

Key findings

Squeezed personal finances and rising organisational overheads at a time when funders are also tightening their purse strings makes for a perfect storm for charities and community groups.

There is a risk that churches and other faith groups will close, not because of falling attendance or religious affiliation, but because they cannot afford to keep the lights on.

There is a concern that volunteer capacity is being stretched.

Topics include

• Volunteer capacity issues
• Financial giving concerns
• community energy crisis and rising fuel costs
• The “custard cream conundrum”: many projects like toddler groups have until now been sustained by generous volunteers paying for refreshments or fuel out of their own pockets, but would be a cost not budgeted for by the church body.