Charity sector workers in Northern Ireland have reported burnout, staff retention and recruitment problems at their organisations.
The Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA) recently surveyed 245 people working in the sector, 48% of whom cited burnout as a barrier to retaining staff.
NICVA’s report states that the burnout was driven by high demand for services, under-resourced teams and emotional strain.
Two-fifths of respondents said their organisations had faced difficulties in staff retention in the past 12 months, while 49% had struggled to recruit.
Some 59% said one of the primary concerns was that salary levels are failing to match with the rising cost of living, while three-quarters said the sector’s salary levels were uncompetitive.
Meanwhile, 56% of respondents saw short-term contracts as a barrier to recruiting staff, with 52% saying other sectors offer better terms and conditions and short-term contracts.
Some 71% said they received too few job applicants, which led to challenges across all levels of staffing.
Vacant roles add pressure
The report states that additional pressures are passed on to existing staff as many roles stay vacant.
It states that the combination of low wages and instability caused by short-term funding is a cyclical problem for the sector.
Despite the burnout, extra workload and pressure, participants expressed overwhelmingly positive perceptions of working in the sector, the report states.
It reveals that many expressed deep fulfilment to make a difference and an impact in people’s lives and in the local community.
Calls for immediate reforms
The umbrella body’s Making a Difference report calls for immediate structural reforms to address these challenges, including stable, long-term funding.
It also emphasises the need for greater recognition of the sector’s value.
NICVA chief executive Celine McStravick said: “This report highlights the unsustainable pressure the voluntary and community sector is under.
“The people who work and volunteer in the sector deliver essential, often life-changing public services, but they cannot continue to do so without fair pay and greater support.
“Their dedication is undeniable, yet unsustainable under the current funding model, which lacks job security and many facing recurring three-month contracts.
“It’s crucial that government and funders recognise the value of this sector and ensure it is properly resourced to continue its vital work in our communities.”
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