Covid-19 pledges Covid Fund makes a real difference In May 2020, the sector came together to establish the Covid-19 Support Fund, raising an astounding 104m to support charities and communities across the UK. This year, we have seen the incredible impact of the Fund come to life From the outset, the core goal of the Covid-19 Support Fund established in May 2020, thanks to the generosity of 37 firms from across the sector was to support grassroots charities throughout the UK in their efforts to combat the deepening impacts of the pandemic. Through the collective effort and generosity of the sector, and with the support of match funding from government, the Fund raised 105m in a matter of months. This alone was unique, with the Fund quickly becoming the largest sector initiative of its kind in the UK and beyond. The pace at which the money has been distributed, however, is also remarkable. Working through a network of partners, including the Charites Aid Foundation (CAF) and the National Emergencies Trust (NET), vital funds have reached thousands of charities and projects in all parts of the UK, to help them continue to support the most vulnerable. Eighteen months on, the lives of 94,867 people have been impacted directly, with nearly half a million indirect beneficiaries from the work of the Covid-19 Support Fund. I cannot express enough the significance of the Covid-19 Support Funds donation to the NETs Coronavirus Appeal. An act of incredible collective generosity by the UK insurance and long-term savings industry has enabled us to make a fast and meaningful difference to the lives of people in in urgent need, all over the UK. Building a network of expert partners to reach grassroots charities Mhairi Sharp, CEO, National Emergencies Trust Early funding allocations in 2020 included 20m to the NETs Coronavirus appeal, 2.5m to Business in the Communitys National Business Response Network (NBRN), and 20m to the CAF Resilience Fund, a sum matched by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sports (DCMSs) Community Challenge Fund. 105m 500,000 lives impacted raised to support charities We saw with the Covid-19 Support Fund how the sector was able to come together to make things happen and to make a real difference. When you see the level of cooperation and team working, thats when you think this is still a great industry that has a real opportunity to make a concrete difference for change Huw Evans, Director General of the Association of British Insurers Donated Donated 17 20m to the CAF resilience fund, a sum matched by the DCMS charity partners 20m to support NETs Coronavirus Appeal, helping more than 10,00 charities 2.5m to the NBRN, benefiting more than 3,000 projects One way in which NET deployed the funding was through the UK Community Foundations (UKCF) network, supporting those in great need, enabling essentials to reach the vulnerable and shielding, creating vital connections for those isolated and lonely, and supporting and enhancing peoples wellbeing in a whole host of innovative ways. The UKCF fund has made more than 1,700 grants, totalling 9.3m, to 1,677 organisations, with an average grant of 5,451.45. The CAF Resilience Fund delivered flexible grants of between 10 and 100,000 to registered and unregistered, small and mid-sized charitable organisations, including community interest companies and education organisations. Importantly, grants could be used to help meet core costs, such as rents and utilities. The causes and communities helped by the fund include: those living in poverty; black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities; children and young people; the unemployed; the homeless; people living with physical or learning disabilities; and those pushed into crisis. This is just the beginning. Thanks to the work of our incredible charity partners, the lives of so many individuals and communities have been impacted. Vital work has been able to continue, despite the ongoing impact and pressures caused by the pandemic, with new projects, staffing and initiatives made possible thanks to the Fund. i Up to October 2021, according to CAF monitoring and evaluation Reaching those in need, throughout the UK: Supporting people living with dementia: Giving unpaid carers the help they need: Our charity partners and projects are dispersed throughout the UK, with 80% of funding allocated to projects outside of London and the South East In Wales, support has been delivered to organisations helping victims of domestic abuse, recognising unpaid carers, and those living with dementia In Northern Ireland, targeted support has been given to helping end domestic abuse and supporting those who faced increased danger as the impact of the pandemic took hold In Scotland, the Fund has provided vital support to unpaid carers who came under unprecedented strain because of the lockdowns and pressure on the NHS and focused on initiatives to support victims of domestic violence Working with our partners at Age UK and the Alzheimers Society, the Fund has provided vital support, guidance and companionship to those suffering from dementia and their families, including: More than 10,000 Companion calls to more than 2,000 people to combat isolation Funding for 18 dementia advisers, providing support for 3,500 people Supporting Insurance United Against Dementia in their fundraising and promotion Thanks to the Covid-19 Support Fund, our partners at Carers Trust and Action for Children were able to expand their digital offerings and give essential support to young and unpaid carers as the pandemic took hold: Helping 700 young people take a break from their caring responsibilities Increasing peer-support sessions for example, the Care for a Cuppathon, with nearly 500 attendees Online share and learn session, attended by more than 1,000 young carers New BAME expert steering group, established to support marginalised communities and develop tailored support New digital platform and text-messaging service to provide direct support in 24 hours Empowering people living with disabilities: Creating a mentally heathier UK Ending domestic abuse Thanks to a donation from the Fund, Rethink Mental Illness and Mind have delivered key new research, activities and vital projects to combat the worst impacts of the pandemic on the nations mental health: Nearly 27,000 people have accessed mental health support from Minds Infoline, funded by the Fund New research enabled in strategic areas of young people, social deprivation and marginalised communities, delivering key findings 1,800 people empowered to share their experiences of mental health for new research 30,000 people supported the online Side by Side scheme New Shout 24/7 messaging service rolled out 2.7 million people accessing mental health information and guidance One of the starkest realities of the pandemic lockdowns and restrictions has been the impact on victims of domestic abuse. Thanks to the Fund, the NSPCC, Victim Support and Womens Aid have been able to meet the increased need across the UK: 17,698 contacts answered by the NSPCC support helpline, with 21,238 children reached through these contacts Providing immediate, 24/7 emotional support for victims of domestic abuse through Victim Supports Live Chat and support line 300 women referred into Victim Supports iMatter programme Delivery and completion of targeted training and awareness programmes by Womens Aid With funding enabled by the insurance and long-term savings sector, Leonard Cheshire and the Royal Mencap Society have been able to offer much-needed assistance, new skills and support to those living with disabilities, including: Support to more than 350 young disabled people, in collaboration with 16 partners Can Do programme to support skills development and team building Six-week accessible sailing course, attended by participants from communities across London New digital interview skills animation, launched to help young disabled people to access the workforce 32 Building Communities Projects delivered