Forces in Mind Trust and Directory of Social Change to explore the impact of Covid-19 on the Armed Forces Charities sector

Forces in Mind Trust (FiMT) has awarded £271,000 to Directory of Social Change (DSC) to continue the successful Armed Forces Charities Project, expanding knowledge and evidence for the sector from 2021-2023 and examining the impact of Covid-19.

The project will include regular surveys on the impact of Covid-19 for Cobseo (the Confederation of Service Charities) Members, an online dashboard of key sector metrics and a new Sector Insight report. This follows a previous group of reports produced by DSC and funded by FiMT, which have given an overview of the sector, and which recently provided vital evidence to secure government funding for charities struggling due to the impact of Covid-19 in 2020.

Prior to the pandemic, comprehensive Sector Insight reports were published in 2014 and 2020 and these have been well-used resources for the sector. DSC will produce the next report in 2023 to give an overview of the economic and social impact of the pandemic on Armed Forces charities, as well as an insight into the sector’s trajectory.

Ray Lock CBE, Chief Executive of Forces in Mind Trust, said

“The most recent of DSC’s Cobseo Members surveys last October found that 60% of respondents reported an increase in beneficiary numbers since May, with demand for mental health support increasing by 74%. Meanwhile, 72% of Service charities reported a decrease in monthly income. Undeniably, Covid-19 is having serious consequences for Armed Forces charities – and the impact is far from over.

“Previous research as part of this project has been a great help to the sector. We are delighted to be able to continue our fruitful relationship with DSC over the coming years, to provide the sector with vital insights through this uncertain period.”

Stuart Cole, DSC’s Research Development Manager, said

“We are very proud of the impact we have achieved in partnership with Forces in Mind Trust. From definitive sector guides in our Focus On and Sector Insight series, to delivering key evidence through our Cobseo surveys; we are committed to providing research that informs policy and practice for charities serving the Armed Forces community.

My colleagues and I are extremely grateful to FiMT for their ongoing support and commitment. We very much look forward to continuing this excellent partnership and important work in the wake of the pandemic.”