Since I made the previous post 2 weeks ago, there's been some updates which concern me a lot more than in my original post.

Last week was Volunteers Week. As regular contributors may know, some of my amazing volunteers used to help a similar but smaller charity in the same health related sector. As a follow up to my previous post where that charity's head of HR (people development) made statements to say they were immediately ending their lauded community programmes, I've been sent more emails from my volunteers relating to further discussions with their head volunteer development officer and the head of HR (people development).

1st - the official statement from that charity regarding the layoffs is "our staff in this specific team work part-time and this allows them to pursue other activities and interests". So with part time furlough not coming in until July, they're still being ambiguous and side stepping the question which was "how many of your furloughed staff have been let go"?

2nd - and more concerning, that charity have been regularly contacting their ex-volunteers. Speculative emails have been sent to those working for companies in the private sector, stating that their "Chief Executive would make herself available to discuss with your Chairman or your Head of Corporate Social Responsibility about the challenging times ahead for the charity and how incredibly grateful we are for corporate supporters."

I really don't know what to make of it when a charity end their community programmes, lay off furloughed staff, mailshot ex-volunteers, ask their current volunteers to do more even though their retail business is closed until next week for England, with no news on when their shops in Wales will open because the Welsh Government aren't reviewing that until June 19th. And as for volunteer's week, that charity made 5 videos from its department heads totalling 1 minute 52 seconds and posted them all on Monday morning. My volunteers who used to help them out have told me that was less than the very least they could have done.