Deprivation and homelessness have been identified as the top areas in need in South Yorkshire, according to a report published this week.
According to South Yorkshire Community Foundation’s (SYCF) second annual Vital Signs report high levels of deprivation, and housing and homelessness are the top two concerns.
The report also identified strong communities (including life satisfaction and loneliness levels) and healthy living as the other top priorities.
One survey participant said: “Too many communities suffer high levels of economic and social deprivation. Sometimes in Sheffield, it feels like two cities. One part prosperous and then you step over an invisible line and there’s bleak poverty.”
Vital Signs 2018 in based on surveyed responses from local people in South Yorkshire, combined with the latest statistics nationally and from local authorities.
The results were revealed by SYCF Philanthropy Development and Research Officer Sonia Bielaszewska at an event held at the University of Sheffield.
Sonia said: “This year’s report reveals a definite shift in priorities since last year, with deprivation and healthy living overtaking education and employment as top need areas.
“Now that the report has launched, we can put our energies into raising awareness of the findings and looking at The Vital Signs reports are commissioned by South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation, a local, long standing charity which improves the lives of local people, through grant giving into communities.
“With these reports, we can be smart about how we work and where we can have the most impact. Not only does this mean we ensure that we are doing the best we can for local people, we can create more awareness of these high need areas also.
“We are encouraging local businesses, community organisations, charities and public bodies to get in touch with us, as by working together we can have so much more impact.”
Read the full report here.
