How will Brexit affect our communities?
Unsurprisingly, Brexit has been a point of discussion for NAVCA, NCVO, ACEVO and many other national voluntary sector bodies over the past week. Charity Sector recently published a roundup of thoughts from the sector here https://t.co/tET8qekscW.
Here’s a message from Neil Cleeveley, Chief Executive, NAVCA:
Last week’s referendum has created shock waves throughout the country. I know that many of us were dismayed by the nature of the campaign and the outcome.
Uncertainty has become the word of the moment. Whilst a lot of attention is on the economic uncertainty, there is just as much uncertainty within our communities. The referendum appears to have opened up divisions within and between communities.
Charities have a key role in bridging these divisions and making our country more at ease with itself. NCVO has called a national charity summit that I will be attending on Monday 11 July. (NCVO has also produced a presentation here about the impacts of Brexit on the sector).
I am determined that the response should be about how this is affecting people and communities and not about charities’ income. Much more important is the impact that austerity has already had on people’s lives and the further risks that exit from the EU poses to the resources available to our most disadvantaged communities. Any information you can give me about what this result means in your area will really assist me. I would like to know about things – good and bad – that have come about after the vote for Brexit. I would also welcome any information about steps you are taking in the aftermath of the referendum.
We are told that this result highlights that many people in society feel left behind. This is not a surprise to us but we need to make sure that it is not thought that only people voting leave feel left behind.
Our priority must be to do the best for all our communities.
Neil Cleeveley, NAVCA
NAVCA are collecting thoughts from the sector, so if you would like to email us at VANEL (via karl@vanel.org.uk) we’ll collate any responses and send them onto NAVCA on your behalf.
Any feedback we receive from the summit on the 11th July we will also share with you.