If ever there was a need to demonstrate the importance of social purpose programmes such as MERKUR Community, it has come from the Charities Aid Foundation whose 2026 UK Giving Report has highlighted a huge drop in charity donations from the British public which it said will impact organisations that are providing vital services to people in need.
The growing importance of MERKUR Community – which has supported 300 charities and not for profit organisations – has been put into sharp focus with official figures confirming that charity donations from the public have plunged by £1.4bn as the cost-of-living crisis bites.
Figures released by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) state that the public donated £14bn in 2025, compared with £15.4bn during the previous year. In its UK Giving Report published 16 March the CAF said the decrease had been driven by a combination of lower average donations and a reduction in the number of people donating, a double whammy which, CAF Managing Director Mark Greer said, would cause “significant concern for charities up and down the country who are providing vital services to people in need.”
Reflecting on the challenges facing the charity sector, Tony Boulton MERKUR UK’s Director of Public and Political Relations, said: “Since we launched our social purpose programme it has become increasingly clear quite how much organisations of all sizes are struggling to continue to deliver the services that so many people rely on.
“They are facing a perfect storm as the demand for services are increasing at the same time as their income streams are drying up. Our focus is on the smaller charities and organisations where we are able to help fund specific initiatives that make a huge difference to quality of life.”
One of the most recent MERKUR Community awards to Skills Enterprise, based in Newham, one of London’s most deprived boroughs is a case in point.
Malathy Muthu, Projects Manager at Skills Enterprise, explained: “The project will use the MERKUR funding to deliver weekly conversational English classes for at least 30 marginalised residents. Sessions will run for two hours per week over 14-weeks and will be designed to build confidence in spoken English while introducing basic digital skills and AI awareness in a practical, supportive way. Participants will learn how AI tools can help with everyday tasks and job-related activities, such as generating ideas, drafting CV content, or preparing simple letters, rather than replacing human skills.
“All participants will have free access to devices, data and Wi-Fi, removing cost barriers to participation. Many are newer arrivals who need support to develop conversational English in order to access everyday services, learning opportunities and employment pathways. These challenges often have a direct impact on mental wellbeing, confidence and social inclusion.
“We know there is strong demand for this project. Residents regularly approach us asking for conversational English and digital support, and we already have a pool of people ready to engage. Without this funding, we would be unable to meet the need. MERKUR’s support allows us to respond directly to this unmet demand and create tangible, lasting outcomes for local people.”
Supporting Enterprise in the community
Tony Boulton said… “Since we launched our social purpose programme it has become increasingly clear quite how much organisations of all sizes are struggling to continue to deliver the services that so many people rely on. They are facing a perfect storm …Our focus is on the smaller charities and organisations where we are able to help fund specific initiatives that make a huge difference to quality of life…
