RESEARCH - SEPTEMBER STUDY
SNAPSHOT OF THE RESEARCH - PHASE 2
The following are a handful of tables from the second interval of the RESET 2020 Research Study, conducted between September - October, 2020. If you would like to reference the data or use the graphics, please credit the RESET 2020 National Impact+Need Research Study 2020, and hyperlink to this page where possible.
Please click on any of the images below to enlarge them.
SNAPSHOT OF THE FINDINGS - PHASE 2
The 48-page Research Study report covers measures across the direct impacts and the supports that organisations would find most valuable. A snapshot of these findings are below:
WELLBEING IMPACTS
- 80% believe that existing sector constraints exacerbate the impacts on mental health/wellbeing
- 45% are feeling stressed/anxious often/always (up from 13% pre-pandemic)
- 41% are exhausted/frustrated (up from 9% pre-pandemic)
- 40% are not taking care of themselves often/always (up from 18% pre-pandemic)
- 69% of organisations rate the overall impact on their leadership team as negative
- 48% rate the overall impacts on their Boards as negative
WORKFORCE CAPACITY
- 38% have staff working longer hours to deal with demand (up from 17%)
- 15% have stood down temporarily or made redundancies (up from 9%)
- 11% have reinstated staff to usual hours, and 25% state no impact on their workforce
- 25% have employed or trying to recruit staff (up from 5%)
- 46% feel the greatest impact are the levels of uncertainty and change (down from 53%)
- 37% believe the additional workload is having the greatest impact (up from 24%)
- 34% report staff and volunteer mental health is being affected (up from 28%) and 31% report staff and volunteer morale is being impacted (up from 16%)
SERVICE DELIVERY
- 91% still report an impact on service delivery (50% significantly impacted)
- While 38% still see a demand decrease, the trend reverses in this interval with 48% now experiencing some or significant increase for services/programs
- Uncertainty about the coronavirus situation (36%), inability to run fundraising events (34%) and managing impacts on staff/volunteer mental health and wellbeing (34%) are the three main factors impacting organisations
FINANCIAL IMPACTS
- 11% are in a dire situation, with 47% citing they have lost revenue but can continue for now
- Of the 58% who have lost revenue, 28% have a decline of 50% or more
- Overall 58% have had a decline in revenue since July 2020
- 57% of revenue loss is from community events/fundraising (compared to 60% in May)
- 41% are seeing general donations decrease (up from 36% in May)
GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
- Only 18% have received JobKeeper for all employees in their organisation
- 78% of organisations in rural areas were not receiving any form of JobKeeper support payments
- 52% were receiving Cashflow Boost from the Australian government, and 37% some form of state government grants or support, however 31% were not receiving any form of support.
- 44% have drawn on reserves since the pandemic began, and 40% of organisations have six months or less in reserves
VOLUNTEERING IMPACTS
- 75% report that the impacts on volunteer’s mental health and wellbeing as being extremely or somewhat negative
- 23% report losing volunteers to illness or caring responsibilities (up from 17%)
- 46% have reduced volunteers hours (up from 43%)
- Only 4% have reinstated volunteers since 1 June 2020
- Only 10% have let volunteers go since 1 June 2020.
SUPPORT NEEDS – OPERATIONAL & STRATEGIC
- 30% need support for advocacy to government for continued support
- 22% need support to identify new or diversify existing revenue streams
- 20% need support to attract, retain and engage donors, sponsors/partners
SUPPORT NEEDS – TO ADDRESS IMPACTS ON STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS..
- 31% would like help to manage staff and volunteer mental health and wellbeing
- 20% would like assistance to recruit additional staff and volunteers (up from 10%)
- 19% would like assistance to develop online support systems for staff and volunteers (up from 11%)
SNAPSHOT OF THE RESPONSES - PHASE 2
Below is a snapshot of some of the responses received.
“I feel like it's an exacerbation of the pre-COVID situation; that there is an expectation for the For Purpose sector to solve all the issues, but on the smell of an oily rag. Now that has been become even more pronounced.”
Primary Focus: Disability; Revenue $5 - $50 million
“More direct intervention in our self-care. I know from my work that just opening a door and hoping people walk through is rarely enough, because we will downplay our problems. Strategies and tactics that lead us in and proactively get us all working on our mental health will be more effective.”
Primary Focus - Disability; Size $1 - $5 million:
“Coaching and support for me to manage it all! I have been diagnosed with early exhaustion and burnout and simply need a break/relief for time out but financially I have to keep showing up to steer the ship through the storm.”
Primary Focus - Human Services; Size <$250,000
QUESTIONS / MEDIA ENQUIRIES
All questions about the research report, or requests or media interview, can be directed to Benefolk here.
