The current pandemic poses new challenges for charities.
Over the years, we learned the importance of adapting to the needs of our service users. This meant that we operate an open door policy that extended itself to the needs of the communities we served.
Oftentimes, people come to us for help and support in areas beyond our services. Over the years we adapted a system of knowing where to refer people for different needs, at different times. This approach allows for providing support beyond our work, and connecting people with other service providers, which can be a positive experience for users, as they have more than one organisation they can approach for work.
With the Coronavirus pandemic, there are new challenges. We are all having to find our footing, both as members of our communities, and as supporters of vulnerable people. How do we navigate these new challenges?
All of our collective focus is focus is currently on staying healthy and containing the virus, to stop further spread. This is as it should be.
Having said that, charities like ours need to find a balance between Coronavirus response, and identifying how the virus impacts those we support.
In many cases, we serve vulnerable groups that will experience the pandemic on two fronts. Firstly, they will probably be more vulnerable to the Coronavirus itself. And secondly, the focus on the pandemic might take away attention from areas where vulnerable groups are most at risk. Be it other health issues, isolation, addiction or being criminally exploited.
Ordinarily, each issue has a group of charities promoting attention towards it. With charities now having to also deal with the pandemic, we need to find a way to balance our work.
Keep supporting frontline service providers, and identifying vulnerable people who need help. At the same time, we need to keep an eye on vulnerable elderly people, young people, families and communities. The issues we usually address might actually worsen during the pandemic. Be it domestic violence, criminal exploitation or other risks.
We need to be twice as vigilant, and find a way to not let our previous work suffer during the pandemic. Luckily the charity sector is a supportive one. We can help one another with practical support, to keep things going. We’re sure that we will find a new normal in due time!
Wishing everyone good health.
Minority Matters