Introduction

Rees, James; Macmillan, Rob; Dayson, Christopher; Damm, Christopher; Bynner, Claire

doi:10.2307/j.ctv2xqnf57.6

Cited by 1 publication

(2 citation statements)

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“…These findings reinforce a now vast body of research that has highlighted the collateral health damage of policy responses to the pandemic [ 6 ]. Nevertheless, our focus in this work was VCSE staff and volunteers, who have played a central role in supporting already marginalised communities during the Covid-19 pandemic [ 16 ]. Perhaps most importantly, our findings highlight that the adversity and challenges faced by beneficiaries were mirrored in some ways amongst the staff and volunteers who supported them, with the need to continually flex and adapt in order to offer enough support taking its toll on workers, who experienced an array of professional and personal impacts.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The VCSE sector, often by working in partnership with other statutory or public agencies, have played a central role in responding to Covid-19 [ 16 ]. Those deemed to be minoritised or marginalised can become further marginalised during emergencies, in part due to the exacerbation of health conditions as a result of poor access to health services [ 17 , 18 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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“I’ll meet you at our bench”: adaptation, innovation and resilience among VCSE organisations who supported marginalised and minoritised communities during the Covid-19 pandemic in Northern England – a qualitative focus group study

Scott,

McGowan,

Wildman

et al. 2024

BMC Health Serv Res

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Background The Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated pre-existing inequalities and increased adversity and challenges for vulnerable and marginalised communities worldwide. In the UK, the Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector play a vital role in supporting the health and wellbeing of people who are marginalised or experiencing multiple complex needs. However, only a small number of studies have focused on the impact that Covid-19 had on the VCSE sector. Methods As part of a Health Inequalities Impact Assessment (HIIA), we conducted qualitative focus groups with staff and volunteers from five organisations to examine short, medium and longer-term impacts of Covid-19 upon the VCSE sector in Northern England. Nine online focus groups were conducted between March and July 2021. Findings Focus group transcripts were analysed using Framework Analysis and yielded three central themes: (1) exacerbation of pre-existing inequalities, adversity and challenges for vulnerable and marginalised populations; (2) the ‘price’ of being flexible, innovative and agile for VCSE staff and volunteers; and (3) the voluntary sector as a ‘lifeline’ - organisational pride and resilience. Conclusions While the voluntary sector ‘adapted at pace’ to provide support during Covid-19 and in its continued aftermath, this resilience has potentially come at the cost of workforce and volunteer wellbeing, compounded by political obstacles and chronic shortage in funding and support. The VCSE sector has a vital role to play in the post-lockdown ‘levelling up’ agenda. The expertise, capacity and resilience of VCSE organisations, and their ability to respond to Covid-19, should be celebrated, recognised and supported adequately to maintain its resilience. To not do so threatens the sector’s sustainability and risks jeopardising attempts to involve the sector in addressing the social determinants of health.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%