Redundancies and shop closures announced at CLIC Sargent

CLIC Sargent has announced that approximately 40 staff will be made redundant in the coming weeks and several of its charity shops are remaining closed because of the devastating financial impact of the Coronavirus pandemic.

A drop in donations from fundraising and the closure of its charity shops during lockdown has left the UK’s largest support charity for children and young people with cancer facing an £9 million drop in income this year to fund its vital services.

Staff have been told to expect a second round of redundancies as part of a restructure consultation which will begin in the autumn.

The first round of cost-cutting has focused on CLIC Sargent’s charity shops and frontline fundraising activity which were hardest hit by lockdown and ongoing health and safety and social distancing restrictions.

The changes are:
– Four charity shops closing permanently and 12 shops remaining closed until next year
– 40 redundancies (approximately 31 staff from charity shops and 9 staff from fundraising teams).

With government restrictions still in place and the possibility of a second lockdown the charity expects that the earliest it would be able to open the majority of its shops would be next year. A smaller number of frontline fundraising posts have also been lost because the type of activity that they can realistically carry out in the next year is limited by social distancing restrictions.

CLIC Sargent Chief Executive, Rachel Kirby-Rider said: “It’s incredibly sad that we’ve had to take these decisions. It’s not something I ever imagined we’d have to do.  I’d like to thank the staff who have lost their jobs for the hard work and commitment they’ve shown CLIC Sargent while working here. We’re also hugely appreciative to all our volunteers who put their hearts and souls into helping in our charity shops. They’ve made such a difference to the families we work with.”

Talking about the next phase of change, Rachel said: “Young cancer patients and their families have been hit hard by the pandemic and we know that CLIC Sargent’s support is needed more than ever.  We’re committed to being here for everyone who needs us and we’re taking a longer-term strategic look at how we protect our ability to deliver this service. But, like many other charities in the UK we’re considering the best ways that we offer our vital support, whilst working with less income.”

Notes to editors:

The following CLIC Sargent charity shops will remain closed for the foreseeable future (not expected to be before May 2021):

Bristol: Cotham, Staple Hill (only open to receive donations), Shirehampton
Devon: Exmouth, Tiverton, Newton Abbot, Barnstaple
Southampton
Cornwall: Truro and Camborne
Somerset: Nailsea
Dorset:  Weymouth

These shops will close permanently: Bideford in Devon, Bishopston in Bristol, Trowbridge in Wiltshire and Eastleigh in Southampton.

For media enquiries please call our Media team on 0844 848 1189 or email mediarelations@younglivesvscancer.org.uk

About cancer in children and young people
Today, 12 more children and young people in the UK will hear the devastating news that they have cancer. Treatment normally starts immediately, is often given many miles from home and can last for up to three years. Although survival rates are over 80%, cancer remains the single largest cause of death from disease in children and young people in the UK.

About CLIC Sargent
When cancer strikes young lives CLIC Sargent helps families limit the damage cancer causes beyond their health. CLIC Sargent is the UK’s leading charity for young cancer patients and their families. We provide specialist support, to help and guide each young cancer patient and their family. We will fight tirelessly for them, individually, locally and nationally. For more information, visit www.clicsargent.org.uk

Note to sub editors
Please note that the name ‘CLIC Sargent’ should not be abbreviated to CLIC, and that the word ‘CLIC’ should always appear in capitals, as above.