In Kind Direct: supporting local charities and communities

In Kind Direct distributes quality consumer products donated by companies to charitable organisations, enabling communities to thrive. We are so pleased to be partnering with them for our annual conference in April, where they will be talking to our members about how they can access resources and support for their local communities.

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We know that with the cost of living crisis increasingly impacting the most vulnerable people, the need for support from the voluntary and community sector is stronger than ever. With NAVCA members being concentrated in the most deprived fifth of local authority areas, representing 91% of the population in these areas, we also know that our members work with communities that are impacted by a lack of access to essential products such as hygiene items, household cleaning items and clothing. In Kind Direct work to support local charities to access these products, which can then be distributed to people in need.  

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In Kind Direct distribute quality consumer products, donated by some of the UK’s best known manufacturers, retailers and brands, to charitable organisations – including charities, community groups, foodbanks and schools. This means that these organisations can access good quality essential products, such as hygiene items, at a very small cost. In Kind Direct have recently released their Network Impact Survey results, demonstrating the increasing need for their work.

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The Network Impact Survey asked the In Kind Direct network about the need for support that they are experiencing. 86% of organisations surveyed reported that the need for their services has increased. It was also found that In Kind Direct are now helping around 345,000 people each week - almost twice as many as at the peak of the pandemic, and up from 275,000 people each week in the last In Kind Direct survey in July 2022. NAVCA members are also seeing an increased need for support in their local communities, with charities and community groups filling a gap in statutory provision.

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We are looking forward to hearing from the In Kind Direct team at our conference, in their workshop: 'Working locally to help more people keep warm, clean and well', aimed at communications workers, volunteer managers and development workers. Attendees will hear from Emma and Olivia in their Partnerships and Impact team about how In Kind Direct works with local infrastructure organisations to help people keep clean, warm and well, and ensure more funds can be focused on support and services.

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With our members working closely with their local communities, we know our members are best placed to build connections and partnerships with small charities and community groups that will benefit from the support In Kind Direct provides.

Click here to buy tickets for our conference (open to members and stakeholders/partners).

Read more about In Kind Direct here.