Across the Wakefield District, we’re lucky to have a strong network of charities and community organisations all working towards the same goal: helping people who need a hand. Whether it’s a family struggling to furnish a new home, an individual facing unexpected hardship, or someone rebuilding their life after a crisis, the collective effort of our local charities makes a world of difference.

That said, sometimes, a referral may come from an organisation; for example, a request for help with essential items, such as cooking utensils, bedding, or children’s clothing. That charity might be able to meet part of the need but not the whole picture, so, they naturally reach out to others in their network for support.

This is where collaboration can really make an impact: one charity might be able to purchase a microwave, another might have access to clothing donations, and someone else might be able to contribute the bedding required.

The challenge we’ve seen, though, is not about a willingness to help (there’s plenty of that) but how that help is coordinated. What often happens is that the charity making the referral sends out an email or makes a few calls to contacts they know, asking who might be able to contribute. They might send a message to several people at once, but without a request/reminder to ‘reply all’ or to start a conversation
as a group.

Without that shared communication, each organisation goes off with the best of intentions to source what’s needed. The result? Sometimes, multiple charities purchase the same item, not realising that someone else is already on the case.

At first glance, this might not seem like such a big issue. After all, the person or family in need ends up with everything they asked for. But in reality, this duplication can have a real impact. Charities have very limited funds (a problem that is worsening), and when money is spent unnecessarily on duplicate items, that same funding can’t be used to help someone else. No one is doing anything wrong; this
post is rather a reminder of the importance of coordination, to ensure every charitable organisation in the district makes the most of every pound and every donated item.

A simple ‘reply all’ or a shared WhatsApp chat could mean the difference between three charities buying the same set of bedding. It might sound like a small tweak, but it could lead to much bigger outcomes.

We know that communication takes time and effort, especially when everyone is busy, and as charities work with limited staff or supporters on a voluntary basis. But even a small change in how we approach referrals and responses could lead to better use of limited resources, fewer wasted purchases, and, most importantly, more people getting the right help at the right time.

The Community Foundation Wakefield District doesn’t want to work in a silo when we could be working side by side with the vast number of wonderful organisations our locality holds. There’s a real strength in Wakefield’s voluntary and community sector, and we’re already seeing brilliant examples of joined-up working across the district. The more we can build on that, the more effective we’ll be, not just in meeting people’s immediate needs, but in creating long-term change for the individuals and
families we support.

So next time a request for help comes through, consider starting a conversation rather than sending a one-way message. Invite others into the loop. Share what you’re doing and ask what they might be able to offer. That simple act of connecting could make all the difference.

If we communicate better, we can support better, which is ultimately what will make our community stronger.