A thriving Third Sector has been praised by the depute leader of West Lothian Council for the “vital role” it plays in everyday life in the county.
Councillor Kirsteen Sullivan told fellow councillors that the work of community charities was more important than ever as the cost of living crisis threatened individuals and engulfed services.
Yet despite growing demand many fear that the vital services provided will eventually become victims of cost cutting.
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A meeting of the Economy, Community Empowerment and Wealth Building PDSP heard that in the last year, of the 513 charities operating in West Lothian, 166 focus on social care activity.
The annual report said: “The cost of living crisis is impacting on everyone - individuals, communities, and businesses. The impact is greatest on those who are already vulnerable and disadvantaged resulting in the crisis leading to more pressure on those already entrenched by inequalities.
“There have been real concerns that the critical support and services provided by the Third Sector to those most disadvantaged in local communities will be cut back or simply not be there in the future due to the cost now of delivery as a result of the cost of living crisis.
“Furthermore, many of the staff and volunteers in the sector are themselves, directly impacted by the crisis.”
In response to the challenges locally, the Third Sector Strategy Group agreed to the establishment of a dedicated Third Sector Cost of Living Forum to consider how to work together to identify ideas, opportunities, and potential solutions to the challenges being faced.
The group will put together an impact report to document the significant challenges facing the sector. This will be published later this year.
The report highlighted more than £41m of funding going into the sector from West Lothian Council and Health partners in 2022/23- much of it on service level agreement contracts to provide care services.
West Lothian Council and the Third Sector have worked closer than ever before and strengthened existing relationships. This partnership approach is not just about funding but also about planning strategically to ensure a joined-up approach so that resources are best targeted to deliver for communities.
The Third Sector is growing across Scotland. There are over 46,000 voluntary organisations which in 2021 had a turnover of £8.5bn. It employs 135,000 paid staff - 64% of them women - and had more than a million volunteers in 2020 figures.
Speaking after the meeting Alan McCloskey CEO of the Third Sector Gateway, the umbrella organisation for charities operating in the county, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “The report showcases the fantastic work carried out by a range of Third Sector organisations across West Lothian. The sector is diverse, agile and vibrant.
“In spite of the challenges arising from the cost of living crisis, charities continue to focus on meeting the needs of individuals and communities.”
Councillor Sullivan, chair of the PDSP said: “It’s very timely that this report has been brought forward during Volunteers’ Week. It highlights the wide breadth of activity and work being undertaken by local charities and social enterprises in communities across West Lothian.
“From providing support to access food, mental health counselling, school clothing, advice as well as support for both the young and the elderly residents, it is clear that Third Sector organisations play a vital role in everyday life.
“The report also underlines the strong partnership that exists between the local Third Sector and West Lothian Council, with significant funding and investment to deliver vital services to West Lothian residents.
“It also highlights some of the challenges that we face, including the impact of the cost of living crisis as well as the difficulties experienced by many volunteers. It is vital that we continue to strengthen our partnerships to meet these issues head on.”
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