Leading members of the voluntary sector have turned to social media to raise concerns now the UK has voted to leave the European Union.
The Charity Finance Group has called on the government not to forget the sector and said that any changes "must not hamper our sector’s ability to serve our beneficiaries."
In a statement, its chief executive Caron Bradshaw said:
Leaving the European Union is a momentous decision and will have a significant impact on the future of our country. No matter what happens, charities will continue to serve our beneficiaries as best we can. We must also do what we can to rebuild cohesion between communities after what has been a bruising campaign. However, it is important that the government does not forget about our sector in the midst of all this change. Charities are major employers and contributors to our society, we must make sure that the voice of our sector is heard and our needs taken into account
Caron Bradshaw, CFG
Whatever the shape of future govt we mustn't let fall out from #EURefResults damage the ongoing work to improve vulnerable children's lives
— CEO- Barnardo's (@JavedKhanCEO) June 24, 2016
The Charities Aid Foundation chief executive John Low said that while there would be short-term uncertainty, the UK's exit was "ikely to present opportunities which charities, as always, will be ready to take to bring people together and tackle some of society’s greatest challenges".
Those who successfully campaigned to leave the EU argued that this would allow Britain to play a greater role on the international stage. Britain’s culture of charitable giving and the important work of our international charities are hugely significant to how we are viewed by other nations. As Britain starts a new chapter in our approach to international relations, charities must be given the chance to play a leading role
John Low, CAF
Sir Stuart Etherington, chief executive of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, has written a blog saying the voluntary sector is needed "more than ever" to rebuild trust in society following the Brexit vote.
"These have been troubled times, and they will continue to be so. Britain is facing political and economic unrest for months if not years to come. Your support and advocacy for the people and causes you work for will be essential in this climate" - Sir Stuart EtheringtonThe charity chief executives body Acevo is calling for an urgent summit with the Leave camp over how they will replace the estimated £200m a year of EU funding the voluntary sector will lose.
@ACEVO seeking urgent summit with Brexiteers on how to replace EU funding for sector and regulatory prot
ectio
ns for vulnerable
— ACEVO (@ACEVO) June 24, 2016
Debra Allcock Tyler from the Directory of Social Change said the sector must stay united.
"Divided votes can divide nations," she told Third Sector. "As charities we must make sure that we don’t allow politics to divide us. We must focus on our beneficiaries. We must lead by example and demonstrate compassion and understanding to those who think differently to us. That is what makes us special."
Brexit brings potentially huge implications for our sector. Troubling times. sector.https://t.co/Yuv5POaTd0
— Brendan Hill (@CEOConcernGroup) June 24, 2016
I'm moving to Gibraltar.
— Debra Allcock Tyler (@DebAllcockTyler) June 24, 2016
Social Enterprise UK has expressed concern over a potential "knee-jerk reaction from the state, bank' and big business".
In a statement, the organisation's chief executive, Peter Holbrook (right), said: "We want to avoid social enterprises facing the pinch by a combination of a freeze on public sector contracts, banks using the decision as an excuse not to lend money, and for-private profit businesses seeking to keep their balance sheets looking good by squeezing their suppliers.
"There is no blueprint for Brexit. No country has ever left the EU, so we have no real idea just how bumpy a ride the economy is in for."
The bitter irony that a million people can take us out of Europe, but the collective voice of same number couldn't prevent us entering a war
— Rob Dyson (@RobmDyson) June 24, 2016
So we can't afford the annual EU contribution, but we can this hit to the economy worth 40 times that? https://t.co/kv72rjVyWh
— Matthew Sherrington (@m_sherrington) June 24, 2016
Can I please go back to sleep and wake up with a different headline? https://t.co/Ln5SRJ1jTz
— Peter Lewis (@piterk68) June 24, 2016
Striking divide between older and younger generations - those most inheriting impact of leaving EU least wanted it https://t.co/kr5tKnrWne
— Joe Jenkins (@MrJoeJenkins) June 24, 2016
New Philanthropy Capital has warned of the 'drying-up' of public funding for the sector. Its chief executive Danny Corry said: "The Brexit vote means we are entering a period of uncertainty for charities. The government will now be tied up for months negotiating what happens next, sucking time and energy away from making sure charities are in the best position to make a social impact. With news that the prime minister is stepping aside his life chances agenda, in which charities have been promised a central role, will be one thing that loses out.
"If the UK hits economic trouble as a result of Brexit - as the ‘In’ side long argued - this will mean sources of public funding drying-up even further."
If the outcome of #EURef really is for UK to leave the EU the implications for charities in addressing the social implications will be huge.
— Gareth G Morgan (@gmorganshu) June 24, 2016
