1. Peter Lewis Chief Executive London Voluntary Service Council The recession and London’s VCS London Advice Conference 15.10.2009

2. London’s VCS An estimated 60,000 organisations 26,634 registered as charities Employing around 250,000 people – 6 - 7% of London’s working population Approx. 5000 social businesses

3. LVSC Set up to tackle poverty, inequality and poor health of Londoners Centenary next year New strategy, same challenges –Policy, support, training –Knowledge, best practice, impact

4. Big Squeeze impetus Messages from national organisations not resonating in London Needed to better understand impact on Londoners and VCS serving them Desire to tackle the recession on the front foot, and present a positive VCS

5. Who responded? 104 London–based VCS groups: 40% local organisations (one borough) 41% pan-London 16% sub-regional (more than one borough) 4% national, but London based

6. Who funds these groups? 25% - Local Authorities 19% - London-foundations (e.g. City Parochial) 18% - national foundations (e.g. BLF) 11% - regional statutory agencies (e.g. London Councils) 11% - national statutory bodies (e.g. CLG, Home Office) 9% - Primary Care Trusts 4% - private/corporate sector 3% - other

7. Is the recession affecting the communities you work with? Yes - 95% Has your workload increased due to the recession? Yes - 71% Are you confident you will be able to meet increases in demand now and in the future? No - 80% Is your organisation already taking action to help survive a recession? Yes - 78% Headline survey results

8. VCS active in seeking solutions Increasing number of cheaper / free services Prioritising core services Recruiting and investing in more volunteers Reviewing existing services, looking for efficiencies Stopping final salary schemes for all new employees Freezing wages, reducing working hours

9. Sectors with immediate impact Advice Volunteering Employment support

10. LVSC experience PEACe helpline Redundancy and restructure calls rose by 100% Variation of contract advice sought

11. Psychological impact -increased anxiety amongst client groups – heating bills; threat of redundancy (UBS) -more people dropping in for support -Increased needs for counselling services (FORWARD) “less motivated because they don’t think they will get a job anyway”

12. Raising VCS profile & influence Economic Recovery Action Plan “at this time the public sector should reaffirm its commitment to the VCS which helps to provide vital local services” (Boris Johnson) Working with London Funders “We’re in it together” Feb 09 Commitment to renegotiate from London Councils Re-stated at VSF conference Catalyst for other recession work - Debt Summit; local initiatives Renewed activity this autumn

13. Future challenges Marginalised becoming more marginalised Public spending cuts 5-10% over next 5 years London’s poverty profile changing already Unknown depth of this recession Lag in impacts on the sector: unemployment; mental health; debt and advice needs Commissioning Pressures to collaborate more and merge (CLACs) Change in government

14. Questions to consider How did the advice sector respond to the recession? What would it do differently next time? Has the government’s Third Sector Action worked? Lessons for the future Is the relationship between specialist and generic advice provision working? What could be improved? How best can LVSC support the advice sector?

15. Final thoughts Open dialogue with partners Focus not just on outputs but impact Stronger together Maintain focus on core mission

16. Thank you Your feedback: Peter@lvsc.org.uk Policy@lvsc.org.uk