In the latest weekly epsiode of the Third Sector Podcast, editor Emily Burt and features and analysis writer Rebecca Cooney look at what voluntary organisations can do to mitigate the impact of the third lockdown on their workers and volunteers.
While we might be relieved to see the back of 2020, realistically there’s still a long road ahead of us in battling the pandemic, especially as we settle into being in a national lockdown for the third time.
For those working in the charity sector, the past year has presented a specific set of challenges, personally and professionally, as staff and volunteers adjust to new ways of working at the same time as demand for their organisations’ services have soared.
People tend to work in the sector because they believe in their organisation’s mission – which can affect their mental wellbeing during difficult times.
A survey of more than 350 people working in or for charities for the latest edition of Third Sector found that more than 90 per cent of respondents had experienced feelings of stress, overwhelm or burnout as a result of their work in 2020 and 91 per cent said a commitment to the charity’s mission drove them to work longer hours or take on more than they could cope with.
Rebecca and Emily chat about what steps organisations can take to support staff at the moment, what worked in previous lockdowns and look at the resources available from Mental Health First Aid England, Mind, the City Mental Health Alliance and the Chartered Institute of Fundraising.
And Rebecca shares a good news story as a mini coronavirus care package.
You can listen to the podcast below, or wherever you get your podcasts:
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