Heritage organisations like ours are vitally dependent on the voluntary sector but, like everyone else, they are finding the current economic environment very tough. 

The heritage voluntary sector is a diverse ecosystem dominated by large charities like National Trust and an enormous number of smaller community groups where volunteers contribute to a wide range of activities. In addition to the benefits to the visitor economy, creative sectors and social well-being the sector supports over 500,000 jobs, generating approximately £45 billion to the economy. But in the current climate, competition for grant funding is even harder than usual and people don’t have the spare money in their pocket to donate – however good the cause.

For the many smaller groups, access to volunteers is a lifeline. Grant funding may be available for specific projects which allow them to employ staff on fixed term contracts, especially those with specialist skills, but project grants don’t usually cover the ‘core costs’ of an organisation. Things like insurance, rent, wifi and phones, administration and finance support all have to be found from donations and the hard work of fund raising. 

Recently Taw Torridge Voluntary Service (TTVS), has been in the news because of just this problem. TTVS is a key charity in Torridge, helping to improve lives though projects like supporting young carers, helping people claim benefits they are due, memory cafés and befriending, to support healthier, more resilient communities. However, recent increases in the minimum wage, combined with changes in the cost of employment, have hit core costs hard. There may still be money to run projects like those above, but grants don’t usually cover core costs. However, without an office base, including finance and administration, there will be no one to organise the projects, pay the staff and report on the results to the funders in order to get more money and continue the good work. 

Another part of TTVS work is supporting the voluntary sector, so this matters to the River Torridge Heritage Group. These heritage organisations along the Torridge came together in September 2023 and represent over 2000 members/supporters, including some 200 volunteers who are the stewards, engineers, restorers, painters, cleaners that keep the groups operating and put on events or open to the public. 

Insufficient support for the voluntary sector will reduce the services, events, open days and opportunities to volunteer. At a time when local government is also under pressure, the losers will be the whole community.