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In a period of recession the level and sources of vcs income may come under threat. This could result in more pressure and demands on funders and commissioners.

Mental health service providers, as other vcs organisations, may face increased competition for less funds. Providers may also be faced with looking at developing relationships with a broader range of funders than traditionally.

In a time of pressure funders may be increasingly likely to look for collaboration between organisations in order to meet complex needs. Another aspect funders may find increasingly important is evidence of user involvement in the planning and delivery of services.

Collaboration can be challenging. Trustees and senior staff may find it useful to consider developing their negotiation and relationship building skills.

Does your organisation have a proactive strategy to approaching other organisations with potential collaborations?

Would your organisation benefit form reviewing your user involvement strategy and practices?

How will any change on the level and sources of vcs income affect your organisation? Do you have an up to date funding / fundraising strategy, and robust plans?

Both trends in volunteering and the professionalism of volunteering are likely to impact on mental health service providers. A large proportion of service providers afford mental health service users and others with opportunities to volunteer and support service users securing volunteering: significant number of service providers rely on volunteers to support their services, for example gardening, eco-therapy, student placements in counselling services, lunch clubs, outings, etc.

Providers could see a considerable rise in the number of service users seeking to return to work or enter the workplace through volunteering. Changes in public spending levels and any resultant pressure on funding may also lead to providers wishing to make more use of volunteers. As anti stigma works leads to a positive impact it is likely mental health service providers may be able to attract volunteers from a larger pool.

It might be worth reviewing how support is given to people especially around one off or short term volunteering. Thinking about supporting those people with fluctuating needs in volunteering may also be useful.

Reviewing how your organisation attracts and retains volunteers is likely to be essential, as is reviewing risk management regularly.