I don't support charities

Biblioklept

I mean obviously I do, but I read a quote recently that got me thinking about how the need for charities is a bad thing and it really got me wondering about charities and why there is a need for them. 

And how charities treat the symptoms of issues not the cause, but by papering the cracks of the symptoms it takes away the need to treat the cause. 

The quote was "Charity is a failure of governments' responsibilities". 

I'd never thought about it before and although I it was said by a comedian during a performance, I don't disagree.

That said I wouldn't stop supporting charities and there are some I hold very dear to my heart.

Sandy_123

Hi  @Biblioklept I've never understood why the air ambulance is not govern funded, same as the sea rescue, both rely on donations, I've always donated to them when I see them with their tins out and about. 
I also go into charity shops. I don't sign up on door to door or do a monthly subscription. 

Oxonlady

Hi @biblioklept, Some charities, such as Cancer Research UK and the British Heart Foundation actually fund research into their respective fields so it is not true to say that they don't look at the causes. These are of course large, well-funded charities. But even small charities at local level, are very useful in providing personal support, such as the loss of a child, bereavement in general, certain illnesses etc.

I have been researching UK Charities for over six years, as part of my Art Project and I find that they all have a positive role to play at their particular level whether it's international, national, regional or local. The Red Cross, an International Charity for example, will send people to disaster zones, such as earthquakes, war zones and floods, where they carry out life-saving work.
Yes, it is unfortunate that more government money doesn't go to Charities. The prime example being hospices, providing end-of-life care. They should all receive government funding as they are always short of funds, despite fundraising and yet they provide a very valuable service. I know that some of the hospices receive funding from the lottery but some actually went under during the covid lockdowns, when they couldn't fundraise.
My artwork (which is not for sale) aims to raise public awareness of the various Charities and encourage volunteering, donating and fundraising. 

Biblioklept

Don't get me wrong I totally DO support charities and the amazing work they all do, it's just very sad they should need to exist at all and shows problems in society that haven't been addressed by governments. 
The work of individual charities is AMAZING and I support so many and encourage others to do as well. 

My problem is that there's a need for them at all and some provide necessities. 

Take food banks for example, the government seem to think the increased number of food banks as a positive thing (and obviously increased access to food for those in need is) but the fact we need food banks at all is a very sad and depressing state of affairs. 

I don't have a problem with the charities or food banks or anything, it's the fact that they're needed that makes me sad, showing that people's needs aren't being met. 

Biblioklept

Sandy_123 said:

Hi  @Biblioklept I've never understood why the air ambulance is not govern funded, same as the sea rescue, both rely on donations, I've always donated to them when I see them with their tins out and about. 
I also go into charity shops. I don't sign up on door to door or do a monthly subscription. 

I'm always shocked about air ambulance and sea rescue. So sad. I can't get out to charity shops any more but I enjoyed going in them when I was able. 

Biblioklept

Oxonlady said:

Hi @biblioklept, Some charities, such as Cancer Research UK and the British Heart Foundation actually fund research into their respective fields so it is not true to say that they don't look at the causes.

That's true @Oxonlady and thanks for pointing it out. 

I'm not at all saying charities aren't vital or useful, I very much am a huge fan of them and know how much I personally have been helped by them particularly when I was a child. Just how sad it is that there's a need for them at all. A healthy well society shouldn't need charities if everyone is supported. 

Oxonlady said:

Yes, it is unfortunate that more government money doesn't go to Charities. The prime example being hospices, providing end-of-life care. They should all receive government funding as they are always short of funds, despite fundraising and yet they provide a very valuable service. I know that some of the hospices receive funding from the lottery but some actually went under during the covid lockdowns, when they couldn't fundraise.

That's so sad I didn't know about that at all  

Oxonlady said:

My artwork (which is not for sale) aims to raise public awareness of the various Charities and encourage volunteering, donating and fundraising. 

That's amazing!! I'd love to see some

L_Volunteer

This thread continues to show some people are caring! Well done everyone. Kindness is needed in this world