The Care Forum’s Dialogue team presents a survey to understand how voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector staff wellbeing in the West of England were being impacted by working in the context of the coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic.
The purpose of this research was to better inform regional VCSE organisations, local authorities and commissioners about the support needs of the regional sector during this period. After running for six weeks (May – June 2020), this report highlights the key trends found and offers a discussion of the learning we can draw from this.
Message from the CEO
The preparedness of staff from across the VCSE sector to mobilise, be flexible in approach and to make a difference is something that has been received positively far and wide. The hidden impacts of additional work load have had less than positive effects on individual’s wellbeing, something this report discusses.
Whilst highlighted in this report are areas of concern around staff wellbeing, we are confident that even the details here barely touch the surface of how people are coping and managing their work and life through such uncertain times.
Over two-thirds of adults in the UK (69%) report feeling worried about the effect COVID-19 is having on their life, with 63% of this cohort describing concerns about the future as their main stressor (ONS, 2020).
Being so close to people who are approaching work and challenges differently has been a joy and reflection on the innovative approach this sector has. But what are the personal costs? What are the system changes around contracting and provision of support for staff that can and should come this time?
Learning from personal experiences, understanding what agile working means and adopting a system approach to staff support must be things we now discuss.
I’d like to thank everyone who took part in the research and to state that because of your involvement, your decisions to share your experiences we can now share this report to a system that can make positive changes. So thank you.
Kevin
To download and read the full report, please click below.
Questions & Further Research
Dialogue is the health and social care insight and engagement service for The Care Forum, supporting the West of England VCSE sector.
The Care Forum is an independent voluntary and community infrastructure organisation, supporting the health and social care system across the West of England for over 20 years.