Caribbean voluntary and community sector under threat

 

The Black Training & Enterprise Group (BTEG) have recently launched a research report on ‘The State of the Caribbean Voluntary and Community Sector in England' at the House of Lords.

Based on a national survey of 75 Caribbean voluntary and community organisations (CVCO) across England the research sets out the important work the Caribbean voluntary and community sector (CVCS) does and highlights the barriers it is facing.

"The CVCS plays a vital role in helping to support members of the Caribbean community. The figures show persistent major racial inequalities for Caribbean communities in almost every area of life including mental health, male unemployment (21%), educational attainment and school exclusions, and the disproportionate number of black young people on the national DNA database. The CVCS helps tackle these inequalities with pioneering and innovative activities, responding to the failure and gaps in mainstream services" said Jeremy Crook OBE, BTEG Director.

The report reveals new facts about the size and scope of the CVCS:

The sector is however facing fundamental challenges including

As a result of the above findings BTEG recommends that there is a need:

"Our research shows that despite its essential work the Caribbean sector is fragile and faces a fight for survival because of a lack of capacity and the possible impact of public sector spending cuts. BTEG urges funders and the Caribbean sector to consider these findings and recommendations, and act to radically improve the future prospects of this important sector." said Jeremy Crook OBE, BTEG Director.

For more information contact Jeremy Crook, Director of BTEG.
Tel: 020 7843 6110, Email: jeremy@bteg.co.uk Website: www.bteg.co.uk
Address: Lancaster House, 31-33 Islington High Street, London N1 9LH
Registered charity No 1056043 Company Limited By Guarantee Company Registration No 03203812

Copies of the report are available form BTEG for £10

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Note to editors

1. BTEG (the Black Training & Enterprise Group) is a national organisation set up in 1991 to ensure fair access and outcomes for black communities in education, employment, and economic regeneration. Its core aim is to achieve measurable improvements for black and minority ethnic communities nationally, in three key areas:

• Education - Raising the attainment levels of black and minority ethnic pupils in education to the national average
• Employment - Increasing the employment rates for black people to the national average
• Economic Regeneration - Ensuring black communities contribute to the economic regeneration of their communities

2. BTEG is launching the report at the Voice4Change England Annual Parliamentary Reception - Valuing the BME Third Sector Small Standing Tall - in the Attlee Room at the House of Lords.

3. The full report can be downloaded from BTEG's website www.bteg.co.uk

4. More details findings from the report include that:

a. There are at least 850 CVCOs operating in England. The sector is undoubtedly larger than this because many Caribbean groups operate informally. But despite its size it is very difficult to find information about the Caribbean voluntary and community sector.
b. 80% of the respondents provide services for their local community. Nearly 70% provide education services and just over half offer welfare and advice support. While just under half provide training (47%) and advocacy (45%). Only 22% provide employment and enterprise services and 19% are tackling crime and safety.
c. Disturbingly almost half of all organisations surveyed have an annual income which is less than £50k and only 2% reported an annual income greater than £500k.
d. The sector is heavily dependent on local authority grant funding (68%). Just over 40% receive funding from Trusts and Charities. Encouragingly nearly half generate funds from their own fundraising activities.
e. The most prevalent membership size is 11-50 and 15% of organisations have over 200 members.
f. Young people are the largest client group (67%) followed by adults and children. Other specific client groups served by the sector are women (44%) and disabled people (38%)
g. Half of the survey respondents are implementing quality standards and are familiar with Practical Quality Assurance System for Small Organisations and Investors in People.
h. The key challenge for the CVCOs is access to funding. Issues associated with this include: changes in funders priorities, lack of capacity to deliver, not identifying the right sources of funding and tight deadlines for completing of funding applications and the lack of fundraising skills and experience.
i. One quarter of CVCOs do not have the resources to employ any staff, and rely on volunteers. None of the respondents employs more than 5 full time staff. The groups recognise the importance of training but find it difficult releasing staff for training.
j. There is a perception that the sector does not have a credible voice to articulate their critical issues and strategic needs.


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