Grassroots charities need support, not praise, says Doncaster charity chief

Grassroots charities need more than praise, they need support.

That’s the message from a Doncaster charity chief as the winter months draw in.

Philip Bentham, founder and Head of Operations at Doncaster Impact Team: “There is a lot of discussion about homelessness, poverty and supporting vulnerable people in our communities.

“What gets talked about less is who is actually doing the work on the ground and how those services are funded.

“At Doncaster Impact Team (DIT), we work with people who have experienced rough sleeping, homelessness, social isolation and other challenges that many of us are fortunate never to face.

“Over the years, we have learned that helping somebody off the streets is only one part of the journey. The bigger challenge is helping them stay off the streets.

“Having a roof over your head does not automatically solve problems such as loneliness, poor mental health, addiction, unemployment or a lack of support networks.

“In many cases, those issues become even more apparent once the immediate crisis has passed.

“That is why community-based support matters.

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“Through our community hub, outreach work and weekly meals, we provide a place where people can find friendship, practical support and a sense of belonging.

“Some people come for a meal. Others come for a conversation. Some simply need somewhere they feel safe and welcome.

“What may appear to be a simple community meal is often much more than that.

“Around the table, people develop friendships, access support, rebuild confidence and reconnect with their local community. These are the small steps that help people move forward with their lives.

“Yet despite the value of this work, sustaining it is becoming increasingly difficult.

“One of the biggest frustrations for grassroots charities is the way funding is structured.

“ Many grants are aimed at launching new projects, pilot schemes or innovative initiatives. While new ideas are important, communities also rely on existing services that are already working.

“The reality is that charities need funding for the everyday costs of delivering support.

“Food has to be purchased. Premises have to be rented. Insurance, safeguarding, training and equipment all come at a cost.

“These are not exciting headline projects, but they are essential if services are to remain available week after week.

“Too often, charities are encouraged to create something new when what is really needed is support to sustain what already exists.

“Finding sponsors is difficult.

“Local businesses continue to face economic pressures of their own, and many charitable partnerships naturally gravitate towards larger organisations with national recognition and established fundraising teams.

“As a result, smaller community groups often find themselves competing for a shrinking pool of funding despite being deeply rooted in the communities they serve.

“This is not a criticism of larger charities, many of which do excellent work.

“However, grassroots organisations can sometimes feel overlooked despite providing support that larger organisations are unable to deliver at a local neighbourhood level.

“The irony is that grassroots charities are often preventing problems before they become crises.

“Every person who finds support through a community meal, every individual who avoids returning to rough sleeping and every vulnerable resident who feels less isolated represents a positive outcome. Yet these successes can be difficult to measure and even harder to fund.

“Meanwhile, demand continues to grow.

“Across Doncaster, charities, churches and volunteer-led organisations are seeing increasing levels of need.

“More people are struggling financially, more people are experiencing loneliness and more people are looking for somewhere they can turn for support.

“The people providing that support are not asking for recognition or praise. They are simply asking for the resources needed to continue helping those who need them most.

“If we are serious about tackling homelessness and supporting vulnerable people, we need to look beyond short-term projects and invest in the organisations already making a difference every week.

“Community meals, support hubs and grassroots services are not extras. They are part of the safety net that keeps people connected, supported and hopeful.

“The work is already happening in communities across Doncaster. The question is whether the funding system will recognise its value before more grassroots organisations are forced to scale back or disappear altogether.

“Because when a small charity closes a service, it is not the organisation that suffers most. It is the people who depend on it.”