More than seven million people expect to seek charity support in the next year, with the bulk of them doing so for the first time, research indicates.
A survey commissioned by the National Emergencies Trust shows that one in eight respondents thought they would need charity help in the next year.
The poll – of 2,000 UK adults earlier this month – found that 61 per cent of those respondents said they would be accessing charity help for the first time.
The NET, which commissioned polling company Opinium to carry out the research, said the findings suggested that demand on the third sector was set to continue as the economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic come to the fore.
Researchers found that the most common reasons people expected to seek charity help were support with living arrangements, because of financial reasons, and training, due to losing their job.
Almost one in four anticipated having to look for help getting food because of changes in their financial circumstances, the survey found.
The NET has raised £90m through its Coronavirus Appeal since March, distributing £85m of that so far.