The UN’s International Day of Charity (5 September) was established to encourage people and organisations all around the world to help others through volunteering and philanthropic activities.
It may come as a surprise, but for a sector that exists to fight for the underdog, small charities are often overlooked when it comes to donations.
But we can all can help make change happen. While big charities have marketing budgets and publicity to attract support, small charities are struggling to survive.
And despite small charities making up 96% of the third sector, funding for them has been declining for the last 20 years.
Of the 167,000 charities in the UK, the largest 7% receive the lion’s share (90%) of funding income.
We want to showcase how incredible some of these charities are and how supporting them can make such a huge social impact.
A
Amma Birth Companions
Amma Birth Companions is a Glasgow-based charity that provides essential, 1:1 support to vulnerable birthing people and parents who need additional care, information or advocacy.
B
Breadwinners
Breadwinners supports refugees and young asylum seekers through employment in a social enterprise that sells artisanal, organic bread.
C
CRIPtic Arts
CRIPtic Arts eliminates disablist barriers for creatives and for audiences, by offering exciting development opportunities to deaf and disabled artists, showcasing their work and campaigning against disablism in the arts industry.
D
Dementia Disco
Dementia Disco uses music to reconnect people with dementia to loved ones.
E
Escapeline
Escapeline keeps children safe from illegal exploitation and grooming in rural communities most at risk across the South West.
F
Face Equality International
Face Equality International is creating a world where everyone is treated fairly whatever their face looks like.
G
Glasbren
Glasbren regenerates land and communities through food growing and nature education.
H
Hotel School
Hotel School combats unemployment amongst homeless and vulnerable people by teaching them hospitality skills.
I
Innovating Minds
Innovating Minds provides accessible psychological support for disadvantaged young people within the school environment.
J
Jacari
Jacari aims to improve the English language skills and confidence of children aged 6-16 with English as an additional language (EAL).
K
Kingfisher Preschool
Kingfisher Preschool provides early years education for local children aged two to five and is the only Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ preschool in the area.
L
Love4Life
Love4Life empowers individuals with learning disabilities and autism to make friends and find love.
M
Motivez
Motivez CIC is a young, ambitious community-driven organisation that aims to support marginalised young people in London to access long-term employment.
N
Northumberland Pride t/a Pride Action North
Northumberland Pride serves the local LGBTQ+ community, addressing issues such as community integration, sexual health, and domestic violence in a region where there is insufficient access to this kind of support.
O
On Your Bike
On Your Bike (Recycle) Ltd delivers training and work placements to vulnerable and disadvantaged individuals by refurbishing donated bicycles, giving them the skills and confidence to access progression pathways to employment.
P
Pulp Friction
Pulp Friction CIC supports people with a variety of learning disabilities and/or Autism to get into the world of work.
Q
Quest for Learning
Based in Oxfordshire, Quest for Learning aims for all children to leave primary school with the ability to read well and be confident about maths.
R
RollaDome All Skate
RollaDome All Skate uses skating to empower young people across London to achieve better futures.
S
Say Aphasia
Say Aphasia supports people to adapt to a life with aphasia, a condition that can restrict speech, reading, and writing abilities.
T
Thinking Black
Thinking Black empowers black students to realise their full potential, by improving their university prospects.
U
Upminster Baptist Church – Men's Shed
The Upminster Baptist Church Men's Shed uses practical tasks to build friendships and bring people together, undertaking construction projects in the local community.
V
Voices for Life UK
Voices for Life uses the power of music to empower children to be happy and confident in primary schools in Bath.
W
Wicked Weather Watch
Wicked Weather Watch brings climate change to life for children by drawing on the personal experiences of Arctic explorers and scientists who have witnessed the effects of climate change first-hand.
X
There is no small charity currently supported by The Fore starting with this letter.
Y
Youngwilders
Youngwilders is the only youth-dedicated organisation in the UK restoring environments to create better places for plants, animals and people.
Z
Zest Theatre
Phil Crow / Zest Theatre
Zest Theatre is a national touring theatre company creating new work to amplify the voices of young people.
For more about helping small charities, see thefore.org
