Given the new coalition government is only a few weeks old it strikes me that we are in for an incredibly destabilising period in the charitable sector. 

There is a huge gap in understanding about how this sector works and how it has developed over the last 20 years.

The delivery of services to vulnerable people, in particular those who are not owed any protection by the statutory services, is in the main delivered by organisations like Porchlight.

We have quite correctly been forced, through the introduction of regulated contracts, to devise and implement systems which measure the success (or otherwise) of the services offered.

In short, we are duty-bound to improve vulnerable people’s lives in order that they move on and find a level of independence that is sustainable and allows reintegration into society that both benefits the individual and the community in which they live.

The risk, in crude terms, is the withdrawal of a safety net that gets single homeless people off the streets and helps them stay off.

Organisations such as Porchlight (the safety net) provide a combination of housing and support with the ultimate aim of getting people into employment and/or training, thereby breaking the cycle of poverty, social isolation and homelessness.

The Government’s opinion is that many of the services currently delivered by ‘community organisations’ could be delivered by volunteers.

This is true in cases where there is little need for full risk assessments, professional qualified and trained staff and where the objective would be to say, get people together over a cup of coffee, to chat and feel part of something.

That may help to combat loneliness which befalls many an ex-homeless person. Indeed loneliness is one of the main causes of repeat homelessness, but is not widely recognised.

Maybe this is because we are all a little embarrassed about the term lonely and maybe it does not fall neatly into some funding eligibility criteria.

The fact that the coalition government has just announced the first round of  ‘in year’ cuts potentially sets the scene for what is going to be a literal fight for survival for some charities funded by government grants.

More importantly it is a matter of life and death for those of our fellow human beings sleeping on the streets and struggling with mental health, alcohol and drug problems or those leaving prison hoping to make a new start.

Without support those individuals will surely be back in prison within a matter of months, if not weeks.

The Supporting People funding programme that enables this work to take place has been tested, reviewed and monitored over the last seven years and has been proven to save the public purse over £2 for every £1 spent.

The public sector recession that is about to start could undo all of the good work across the country by organisations like Porchlight.

That, in my view, would not only be sad but also extreme madness. The work we have been able to do since 1974 has thankfully changed dramatically.

However, we are fearful that we may see a return to the days of mass soup kitchens and the issuing of blankets to the many not just the few.

I’m not trying to insult the charitable work of those who organise soup kitchens; my point is that homelessness is complex.

We have systems in place which pushes those without families and support networks further into a frightening, degrading and ultimately destructive world.

One that needs effective, focused and well-funded interventions to keep on top of the problem.

If there was one message I would like to give our councils, both county and local, it’s ‘please don’t throw the baby out with the bath water’.

Vulnerable people rely on these invaluable services and charities to deliver life-changing and to some, life-saving interventions.

So please let’s not return to treating those in need as objects of charity, but allow them opportunity, dignity and choice to make a difference to themselves and to the communities in which they live.

See www.porchlight.org.uk for more details.

• Mike Barrett is chief executive of Porchlight, a Kent-wide independent charity that works to support single, vulnerable homeless people or those at risk of homelessness.