November 1, 2022

Sincere thanks to you all for your really positive feedback that we recently received on how much you are liking our ebulletin updates!

Early survey feedback suggests that the key things you want from us include funding information, training and events, networking opportunities, volunteer support, trustee support. You also liked most of the information on our website – and great to see the interest in our new development resources (toolkits, factsheets, templates and the like). We are still going through the results and we’ll provide updates on what we have learned from you and how we are planning to respond.

As I write this, Rishi Sunak has been appointed as Prime Minister following Liz Truss’ shortest tenure of a Prime Minister in British history. Ministers are coming and going on a daily basis, the market is reacting and the Bank of England has just stopped trying to counteract what might reasonably be described as “questionable” economic policy. Flu levels are increasing dramatically and the NHS is getting ready for their most challenging winter yet – still dealing with the aftermath of Covid-19. The CQC has announced that the health and care system is in “gridlock”. Energy price caps are already higher than most households can afford – with current sticking-plaster payments due to end in April. Food prices have increased at alarming rates not seen for many years; inflation is at 10.1% and mortgage rates are rising.

I’m not trying to be alarmist here – in fact, I feel quite rational and balanced in my approach. But we all know what is coming: a massive increase in demand on our sector’s staff, volunteers, services, finances and resources. A normalisation of the need for “food banks” and “warm spots” as society tries to rebalance the inequalities in our communities. There will be an increase in demand – and an increase in the desperation levels of those in most need. We should reasonably expect to see increases in mental and physical ill-health as people and families choose between heating and eating.

Our AGM and Conference – scheduled for 30 November, 0930 -1330 at Energus Centre in Workington – seeks to not only identify these challenges but work out how Cumbria is going to tackle it. Please come along and help us make the connections, understand how we can help and what you feel needs to be done. But also come to offer support to others, and to be supported. These are tough times and we must help each other, stay healthy and stay resilient. People are depending on it.

 

David Allen
Chief Executive
Cumbria CVS

 

 

 

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