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Issued:10/05/13
A report launched by Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research at Sheffield Hallam University has revealed the true social and economic impact of the voluntary sector in Greater Manchester.
Working with a partnership of local support and development organisations in Greater Manchester, the research has revealed that at the beginning of 2013 there were 14,592 community and voluntary organisations, co-operatives and social enterprises; the total income of the sector was £1billion (financial year 2011/12); medium and large organisations received 91 per cent of the total sector income; 11,963 organisations had an annual income of under £10,000; 1.1 million volunteering hours were logged and the economic contribution of volunteers was valued at £947m.
The data, gathered over a six-month period by a number of support and development organisations across the Greater Manchester region, was analysed by Ian Wilson.
He said: "It’s clear from our research that the voluntary sector in Greater Manchester is varied and wide-ranging and is important to the lives of its residents.
"The report highlights many impressive markers of the sector’s economic and social impact. It has, for instance, an important role in promoting growth and supporting those in need of assistance. However caution is required: the sector is faced with increased demand but continues to be affected by the economy and public sector cuts.”
Director of the Greater Manchester Centre for Voluntary Organisation, Alex Whinnom, added: This report proves that we have a strong, resilient and responsive third sector in Greater Manchester but we must not assume that it is indestructible. We are in a rapidly changing relationship with public funding, and some of the services relied on by our most vulnerable residents are fragile".
The Centre for Regional and Economic Social Research (CRESR) at Sheffield Hallam University is one of the UK’s leading academic research centres specialising in social and economic regeneration, housing and labour market analysis.
Read and download a copy of the report 'Greater Manchester State of the Voluntary Sector 2013: A report on social and economic impact' by Chris Dayson, Will Eadson, Elizabeth Sanderson and Ian Wilson.
For further information, contact Duncan Craig on 0161 339 4985 / 07734 444 274 or email duncan.craig@cvat.org.uk
