Gathering demands urgent action to reverse funding cuts for local charities
The upcoming NI Can't Wait gathering in Guildhall Square, Londonderry on Thursday 5 March 2026 (1-2pm), will highlight the serious repercussions currently waiting in the wings if proposed funding stream changes come into effect for Northern Ireland, affecting charity and voluntary sector organisations and ultimately, those who rely on these vital service providers.
Wednesday 1 April 2026, will bring about a radical and damaging funding change, when the current UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) is replaced by the Local Growth Fund. This will mark one of the most significant generational threats to economic inclusion and to the voluntary and community sector-led services. Reducing services, which support so many local people, in some cases providing training and developing new skills and confidence to become work-ready across Northern Ireland, it is warned, will turn this important sector into a skeleton service. The NI Can't Wait gathering is urging people to gather together to send a direct message to the UK Government, to reverse these drastic programme cuts with immediate effect. First announced in December 2025 as a 64% cut to programmes directly impacting and tackling economic inactivity, it will affect services and their users right across Northern Ireland.
In real terms, this translates annually from the previous £25m funding being reduced to £9.2m, due to an imposed 70% capital / 30% revenue split not adequately reflecting Northern Ireland’s needs. Some of the most vulnerable in society will become collateral damage as this unjust decision undermines proven, people-centred services supporting those furthest from the labour market, including people with disabilities, carers, women, those with long-term health conditions and young people not in education, employment, or training (NEETs).
“If left unaddressed, the decision will remove support, put skilled VCS jobs at risk, collapse trusted services across Northern Ireland, and increase pressure on key public services, according to David Babington, CEO Action Mental Health, one of the charities affected by the decision. "These imminent cuts will directly impact on 11,000 supported people and their families, with an estimated 400+ skilled jobs unnecessarily at risk."
Continuing, "This gathering invites community organisations, charities, and the public to come along and show their support, standing together against cuts, protecting jobs and supporting the most vulnerable in society".
The event is supported by Action Mental Health, the Northern Ireland Union for Supported Employment (NIUSE), and People Before Profit.
To find out more about the NI Can’t Wait campaign please visit https://www.amh.org.uk/ni-cant-wait/