This Small Charity Week (23–28 June), Springboard Opportunity Group proudly joins a national celebration recognising the vital role that small charities play in communities across the UK. This year’s campaign focuses on financial resilience, highlighting the remarkable efforts of small charities to continue delivering essential services despite rising costs and declining funding.
Small Charity Week showcases the crucial work of the UK’s small charity sector, which supports millions of individuals and communities every day. Resilient charities help to build stronger communities, yet many now face more pressure than ever.
In North Somerset, Springboard Opportunity Group plays a pivotal role in supporting young children aged 0–5 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and their families. A unique local charity, Springboard offers a safe and nurturing environment where children with additional needs can learn, grow, and thrive. Many of the children supported by the charity face complex challenges, including physical disabilities, learning difficulties, autism, sensory needs, or life-limiting conditions. Through its specialist early years services, Springboard helps to lay strong foundations for lifelong success — and offers vital support to families, too.
“Springboard has been life-changing for our little boy and our family. His speech and communication have improved daily, and he is calmer and now plays alongside other children. Thank you for everything – we wish he could stay forever.”
Springboard is proud to be part of this collective effort to recognise the impact of small charities within local communities. Small Charity Week offers not only a moment to say thank you but also an opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of supporting local charities through donations, fundraising, and volunteering. With many small charities facing the risk of closure, celebrating this week is more important than ever.
Ruth Glover, Springboard’s CEO said,
“At Springboard, we see every day the impact a small charity can have — not just on a child’s development, but on an entire family’s wellbeing. Our strength lies in our close connection to the community, our specialist knowledge, and the trust families place in us. Small Charity Week is a powerful reminder that even the smallest organisations can make the biggest difference — but we can’t do it alone. As the pressure on small charities grows, we need continued support to keep delivering the life-changing work our children and families rely on.”
Springboard invites the community to come together in recognising and supporting the extraordinary resilience of small charities. As the gap between statutory funding and service delivery costs continues to widen, charities increasingly depend on the generosity of supporters. To maintain and grow Springboard’s essential work, the charity needs to raise £90,000 during the 2024–25 academic year. Thanks to incredible supporters, £70,000 has already been raised — but a further £20,000 is still needed to help fund the vital support provided to local children with disabilities and additional needs, and their families.
Every donation, big or small, makes a difference. If you have a fundraising idea or would like to get involved, please contact info@springboardweb.org.uk or visit www.springboardweb.org.uk.
Sarah Elliott, CEO of NCVO said
“Small charities are the beating heart of our sector and the communities they serve. But many are now under extraordinary pressure. Costs are rising, income is falling, and demand for their support is soaring. This year, Small Charity Week shines a spotlight on financial resilience. It’s a moment to celebrate the impact of small charities, highlight the challenges they face, and call for the recognition, funding and policy change they urgently need.”
