In the coronavirus crisis Barnardo’s is needed now more than ever and calls on for government support so charities can survive.
Barnardo’s Chief Executive Javed Khan said:
“In these extraordinary times, Barnardo’s is focused on continuing to protect vulnerable children, young people and families across the UK whilst also supporting our employees.
“We have lost some £8m a month overnight and in order to protect jobs and the longer-term sustainability of the charity, we have been forced to make the difficult decision to place between 2,500 and 3,000 colleagues from across the charity on furlough leave.
“Barnardo’s is needed now more than ever before. Vulnerable children living with physical, sexual, emotional and domestic abuse are cut off from services and support systems and are already reaching crisis point. In the coming months children’s mental health will go from crisis to catastrophe, more children will come into the care system and families will fall into poverty.
“The Government must act urgently so that charities like ours are here for vulnerable children for as long as they need us. We are calling for an automatic deferral of PAYE and National Insurance for three months, making gift aid payments a priority, and ring fenced grant funding to pay for the vital work needed so we can deliver our services remotely. Every day counts.
“But we are also more reliant than ever before on the generosity of the great British public. We have launched an emergency appeal to help us keep supporting vulnerable children during this crisis and we would urge anyone who can donate to do so.”
