Forty-seven percent of charities say they will have to dip into their reserves to support activities over the next year. That's one of the stark findings of the fifth annual Managing in a Downturn report, released yesterday by the Charity Finance Group, the Institute of Fundraising and PricewaterhouseCoopers. The survey - which found that many were considering restructures, pay freezes, redundancies and a overall reduction in staff hours - is a glaring reminder of the ever-increasing importance of finding and growing additional sources of new funding. The new Chief Medical Officer for Wales has been named as Dr Ruth Hussey. Hussey will take over from Dr Tony Jewell this summer. Being particularly interested in inequalities in health and the importance of involving communities in decisions about their own health and care, this could prove to be a very important appointment for the future health and wellbeing of Welsh communities. Former Eastender and Health Lottery Ambassador Natalie Cassidy this week visited the County Durham Stroke Club, to see first-hand the incredible work that the charity does in supporting stroke survivors and their carers. Using money raised by local society lottery HealthImprove and players of The Health Lottery, People’s Health Trust has awarded a Healthy Communities Small Grant of £10,000 to the Durham Stroke Club. The money will be used to pay for additional physiotherapy for stroke survivors, as the NHS only currently provides care for one year after the illness strikes. The grant will also help to pay for a therapist, a folding medical screen, mini bus hire and to cover additional day-to-day running costs such as room hire and lunch for the service users. Kendal's Shopmobility service, threatened with closure after suffering funding cuts, will now be continued as part of a new charity. The Kendal and South Lakes Centre for Independent Living has been set up using a Healthy Communities Small Grant of £9,500 from People's Health Trust and will be a drop-in centre for disabled people in the town centre – advising users on all aspects of independent, healthy living, welfare, diet and exercise.