Our new research released today found:
85% of small charity leaders in England experienced poor mental health due to their role.
Of this, 20% reported a severe impact with incidences of suicidal thoughts,
hospitalisation and burn out.
Those working in health, education, or with children and young people
experienced the worst impact on their mental health.
A unique combination of internal and organisational challenges, on top of
systemic sector-wide issues, increase the isolation and pressures felt by small
charity leaders.
Our report, Breaking Point: The Mental Health Crisis in Small Organisation Leadership, funded by The Talent Fund, surveyed over 350 leaders in non-profits with an income under £1 million, and identified role-related experiences of ‘hospitalisation’, ‘panic attacks’ and ‘helplessness.’
Significantly, 85% reported that their experience as a small charity leader has
negatively impacted their mental health, with 20% describing the impact as severe.
One respondent shared:
“I have experienced a burn-out that led me to be hospitalised in the local psychiatric hospital. I was feeling overwhelmed and depressed by the level of need and my inability to make enough of a difference’... I even contemplated suicide as the sector has been my entire life for the last 10 years and I didn't know how I would live without it but couldn't also comprehend continuing. It took me several months to recover to a point of stability.”
Of those whose mental health was adversely affected, over 90% said it impacted
their work and over a quarter (28%) felt unsupported.
The research identified a mix of issues which ranged from internal and organisational challenges to systemic and sector-wide problems.
While the biggest sector concern is financial sustainability as organisations navigate the ‘perfect storm’ of increased demand for services and a more competitive funding landscape, exacerbated by some funders closing and pausing their funding, the research indicates that internal and external factors have a disproportionate impact on small charity leaders who are often juggling multiple roles and responsibilities with limited training.
One respondent summarised this as:
“Basically being a one stop shop for all professional services that other larger organisations buy in i.e. HR, fundraising, legal, bookkeeping, writing all policies and standard operating procedures, branding, webmaster, IT support, marketing, stewardship, being the project manager of numerous projects and the list
goes on.”
The report, which aimed to specifically understand the mental health of small charity leaders, evolved from The Power of Small, an initiative funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, and led by NCVO and partners. The Power of Small aims to establish what support small charities and organisations in England need to thrive, following the closure of the Small Charities Coalition and the FSI.
Our Founder and Director Vic Hancock Fell, who led the research lead said:
“We were blown away, but not necessarily surprised, by the honest and raw experiences of the leaders we spoke to for the report. Nearly 100% of charity closures in the last 10 years were small organisations, which shows the heavy burden on leaders’ shoulders.”
“However, it’s important this research doesn’t contribute to a them versus us culture, particularly between leaders and boards or organisations and funders. There are many funders and sector organisations who are meaningfully engaging with, and advocating for, small charities, but this research shows there’s more to be done.
Small charities are essential to their communities and to ensure their survival, we need a shared understanding of the unique pressures they, and their leaders face. This must then be combined with a collective commitment to creating fairer processes responsive to their needs and strengths.”
Emma Cantrell MBE, CEO of small charity First Days said:
“The pressure, at times, has been overwhelming. As a small charity CEO I have found myself in some dark places over the years, where my mental health has really suffered."
"The combined weight of responsibility to the people we are helping, chronic funding shortages and a team to look after, as well as everything else that comes with leadership, has meant that at times I have been pushed to my limits mentally. It is only now I realise, after connecting with other charity leaders, that actually this experience is, sadly, common. The pressure in my role is still huge and I have to work hard to ensure my mental health is protected in order to carry on in the sector I am passionate about.”
The research has identified specific recommendations, for individual leaders, small organisation boards, and funders which includes a request for funders to trust and empower small charities as the experts and increase the availability of unrestricted and multiyear funding. The research partners call on all those working in or supporting small charities to read, share and talk openly about the research and its recommendations so small charity leaders are better supported to deliver for their communities.
For anyone struggling with their mental health you can access 24/7 support from
Samaritans by calling free on 116 123 or visiting samaritans.org.
Would love to hear your experiences and thoughts. If you would like to get in touch about this report please email our director Vic Hancock Fell vic@faircollective.co.uk