According to the Small Charities Coalition, a fifth of small health charities are at risk of shutting down once the government’s leave program ends later in the year.

A survey conducted by the membership organization showed that only 42 percent of members surveyed were able to access the program because its complexity meant that many small charities were unsure if they were eligible.

A total of 367 UK charities responded to the survey, which was broken down by ethnic groups served, location and charitable objects.

The researchers found that just over 20 percent of small charities providing health services had access to time off, second only to those classified as “other”, out of just under a quarter.

SCC stated that the term “other” was taken from the Charity Commission website and referred to charities that do not fit into any other category. The membership body said the regulator agreed to change this categorization because it was too subjective and unnecessary for data analysis.

Rita Chadha, Executive Director of the CCS, said: “Our investigation of the use or lack of leave demonstrates the need for a flexible and adaptable program.

“Overall, only 42% of CCN members were able to take time off, even when the plan became more flexible.”

Chadha said the survey results showed one of the main challenges small charities faced throughout the pandemic, where the desire to continue doing good collided with financial reality. harder.

“It is beyond irony that at a time when small health charities that can tackle health inequalities, vacancy hesitations, and supportive and follow-up tests are the ones who cannot access sufficient funding, ”she said.

The leave program is scheduled to end September 30.

“We are concerned that we may start to see the closure of at least a fifth of the small charities working in the health field in the coming months, this does not bode well for our collective recovery, because after the pandemic , these charities will be needed more than ever. ”Said Chadha.