A Report from the Voluntary and Community Sector Emergencies Partnership (VCSEP) analyses the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) response to the cost-of-living crisis of 2023, highlighting successful approaches and providing insight to inform future response efforts. The report aims to assist the VCS by presenting examples and case studies that have addressed needs within the complex challenges posed by the crisis. It also aims to add to the evidence on the scale of need and support required to help policy and decision-makers, emphasising the importance of pre-planning and preparedness to support the resilience of people, communities, and organisations.
The report explores various aspects of the VCS’s response to the crisis, including fuel poverty, food insecurity, mental health, and public health. It also examines the cost-of-living crisis’s impact on the VCS, including financial impacts, workforce challenges, partnership acceleration, and an enhanced strategic role in the response.
The report raises several key questions relating to preparedness and emergency response, including: how to ensure that VCS organisations have sufficient resources during crises to be able to play an active role, how to establish a long-term funding strategy for the VCS, how to develop leadership in the VCS to ensure effective operations during emergencies, how to address the mental health impact of traumatic events, and how best to facilitate collaborations and partnerships.