The Prince Update- October 6th 2020
Our writer Richard Prince shares his regular horizon scan of the sector news, flagging up developments, new funding and opportunities in the social sector for portfolio careerists and others to be aware of.
Pandemic and Brexit could ‘complicate’ ‘levelling up’
The economic disruption caused by Covid-19 and Brexit could complicate the government’s “levelling up” agenda, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies. The UK ranks at or near the top of the international league table on most economic measures of inequality between regions and tourism-dependent coastal communities face a ‘double-whammy’ of being ‘left behind’ and vulnerable to the economic fallout from COVID-19.
Mark Franks, director of welfare at the Nuffield Foundation, which collaborated on the report, said “The impact of Brexit and COVID-19 only adds to the difficulty and complexity of this task by exacerbating some existing inequalities and bringing new ones to the fore. This means it is vital that the levelling-up agenda is supported by the development of a clear strategy and the use of robust evidence.” The report says that well-planned and well-executed investment in sectors and regions could help with the ‘levelling-up’ process.
Reaction to Danny Kruger's report on civil society and levelling up communities
On September 24th Conservative MP and former DCMS special advisor Danny Kruger published Levelling up our communities: proposals for a new social covenant, with an aim to set out “a vision for a more local, more human, less bureaucratic, less centralised society in which people are supported and empowered to play an active role in their neighbourhoods.” A variety of sector organisations including the Social Investment Business (SIB), Social Enterprise UK (SEUK), National Council of Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) and the charity sector press have responded to his findings.
https://www.sibgroup.org.uk/blog/levelling-our-communities-our-view-new-report-danny-kruger-mp
https://www.civilsociety.co.uk/news/charity-sector-reaction-to-kruger-report.html
Bates Wells Charity & Social Enterprise Update - Autumn 2020
Across the sector, charity and social enterprise boards and leadership teams are considering different ways to tackle the challenges presented by the pandemic. In the new design Autumn issue of law firm BWB’s Charity & Social Enterprise Update, they have included a range of articles about some of the options charity and social enterprise trustees/directors should consider, such as mergers.
Service delivery functions bear the brunt of charity job cuts
Charities are anticipating a tough winter and expect high demand, but many have scaled back their ability to deliver services, according to the latest Covid Charity Tracker survey results released on September 25th by Pro Bono Economics, in partnership with the Chartered Institute of Fundraising (IoF) and the Charity Finance Group (CFG). Among those making job cuts, 59% expect service delivery functions such as helplines, events and training to take the biggest hit. This was followed by the fundraising function, with 19% of respondents saying it would be that department which would see the highest proportion of job cuts.
Comment: very worrying, but entirely expected given the huge shortfall in income for the sector
IFS report - The coronavirus pandemic and older workers
Older workers are one group of people who are at risk of suffering serious and persistent consequences from the economic turmoil arising from the coronavirus pandemic. This briefing note examines how the work activity of older individuals has been affected by the pandemic, how older workers’ concerns about their job security vary with their individual characteristics, and how retirement plans have already been affected by the crisis.
Comment: there are some very interesting findings here
Harvard Business Review - Tips for a Smooth Transition into Retirement
Managing retirement has traditionally been all about financial planning; the psychological dimensions weren’t usually part of the package. Today, given our longer life spans, assuring financial security is only one element in a creating a retirement plan — and in our knowledge economy, it’s perverse to let healthy, mentally active managers feel they no longer have contributions to make. How can you make the transition less painful?
Invest in personal relationships.
Create networks beyond the office.
Find new outlets - many retiring executives take on part-time or interim employment as consultants or board members for companies or not-for-profits
Comment: a short but good article and the advice fits very well with my own experience – plays perfectly to EP Foundation agenda