DIY retailer, Wickes, has seen numbers treble year on year of charities and community organisations seeking support through their community programme.
The programme has already supported over 2000 projects with product donations. The highest demand is for soil, timber and other products to create well-being spaces in schools and community areas. Followed closely by products such as paint and filler to help maintain community spaces.
Local community investment company Neighbourly carried out a survey in March this year with 1,000 charities and community organisations. The survey revealed that:
- 86% have seen a rise in demand for support in the last 3 months
- 73% believe that the cost of living crisis has had a negative impact on financial donations received
- Total running costs (eg food, energy, bill, rent, transport etc) have increased by an average of 56% since this time last year with energy bills amounting to an average of 24% of their running costs
- 43% say their financial situation has deteriorated
- 36% believe the cost of living crisis has had a negative impact on the availability of volunteer support
The Wickes Community Programme is open to all local community groups seeking help for improvement projects. Any groups interested in applying for a product donation should head into their local store to speak to the store manager.
