NCVO
@ncvo.bsky.social
The National Council for Voluntary Organisations - championing the remarkable role of charities and volunteers
“We must ensure civil society is protected. By reaffirming our shared values and creating a space for positive, inclusive action, this campaign can help ensure charities are able to continue to meet the needs of the people and communities that rely on them.”
Kate Lee, CEO
Kate Lee, CEO
A campaign aimed at combatting social hostility and division and its “chilling effect” on civil society has been launched by major sector organisations
Campaign launched to combat ‘chilling effect’ of hostile narratives on civil society
www.civilsociety.co.uk
February 5, 2026 at 8:57 AM
“We must ensure civil society is protected. By reaffirming our shared values and creating a space for positive, inclusive action, this campaign can help ensure charities are able to continue to meet the needs of the people and communities that rely on them.”
Kate Lee, CEO
Kate Lee, CEO
“Charities do, and always will, bring something vital to the impact economy: a moral compass rooted in public benefit; the ability to reach the hardest-to-reach communities and causes; and data, passion, knowledge, and experience built up since Victorian times.”
Kate Lee, CEO
Kate Lee, CEO
Research by think tank @thinknpc.bsky.social has estimated that the wider “impact economy” contributes £428bn to the UK economy every year, which amounts to 15% of GDP.
Charities generate nearly £50bn of this, NPC’s report says.
Charities generate nearly £50bn of this, NPC’s report says.
Wider impact economy valued at £428bn by think tank
www.civilsociety.co.uk
February 4, 2026 at 9:19 AM
“Charities do, and always will, bring something vital to the impact economy: a moral compass rooted in public benefit; the ability to reach the hardest-to-reach communities and causes; and data, passion, knowledge, and experience built up since Victorian times.”
Kate Lee, CEO
Kate Lee, CEO
The VCSE Barometer Survey is live!
In May 2024, 4 in 10 VCSE organisations reported that they did not have enough volunteers to meet their core objectives.
Wave 13 of the survey explores recruitment, retention and the growing pressures on volunteering.
Share your experience now - ow.ly/zpjK50Y3BYq
In May 2024, 4 in 10 VCSE organisations reported that they did not have enough volunteers to meet their core objectives.
Wave 13 of the survey explores recruitment, retention and the growing pressures on volunteering.
Share your experience now - ow.ly/zpjK50Y3BYq
January 29, 2026 at 9:12 AM
The VCSE Barometer Survey is live!
In May 2024, 4 in 10 VCSE organisations reported that they did not have enough volunteers to meet their core objectives.
Wave 13 of the survey explores recruitment, retention and the growing pressures on volunteering.
Share your experience now - ow.ly/zpjK50Y3BYq
In May 2024, 4 in 10 VCSE organisations reported that they did not have enough volunteers to meet their core objectives.
Wave 13 of the survey explores recruitment, retention and the growing pressures on volunteering.
Share your experience now - ow.ly/zpjK50Y3BYq
Reposted by NCVO
Still time to apply for the #SmallCharityWeek 2026 match funding campaign ⏰
Last year, 97% of charities boosted digital fundraising confidence, despite 90% starting with little or no experience.
Find out more and apply 👉 biggive.org/small-charity-week/
Last year, 97% of charities boosted digital fundraising confidence, despite 90% starting with little or no experience.
Find out more and apply 👉 biggive.org/small-charity-week/
January 22, 2026 at 9:53 AM
Still time to apply for the #SmallCharityWeek 2026 match funding campaign ⏰
Last year, 97% of charities boosted digital fundraising confidence, despite 90% starting with little or no experience.
Find out more and apply 👉 biggive.org/small-charity-week/
Last year, 97% of charities boosted digital fundraising confidence, despite 90% starting with little or no experience.
Find out more and apply 👉 biggive.org/small-charity-week/
"The announcement of the Local Government Partnerships Fund is a significant and welcome step in embedding the principles of the Civil Society Covenant into everyday practice for charities."
Kate Lee, CEO
Kate Lee, CEO
The government is seeking to appoint a civil society organisation to deliver a £11.6m fund designed to strengthen partnerships between charities and local authorities
Government seeks sector organisation to deliver £11.6m local covenant fund
www.civilsociety.co.uk
January 23, 2026 at 9:02 AM
"The announcement of the Local Government Partnerships Fund is a significant and welcome step in embedding the principles of the Civil Society Covenant into everyday practice for charities."
Kate Lee, CEO
Kate Lee, CEO
"Let’s not only be talking about this because of the financial pressures on our organisations. Let’s be genuinely looking at whether we can improve impact for beneficiaries.”
Kate Lee, CEO
Kate Lee, CEO
NCVO chief Kate Lee tells the Third Sector Podcast that she expects to see more charity mergers in the near future
Stop treating mergers as a taboo subject, NCVO chief tells charities
Kate Lee tells the Third Sector Podcast that she expects to see more charity mergers in the near future
www.thirdsector.co.uk
January 12, 2026 at 12:21 PM
"Let’s not only be talking about this because of the financial pressures on our organisations. Let’s be genuinely looking at whether we can improve impact for beneficiaries.”
Kate Lee, CEO
Kate Lee, CEO
“The next step is for the covenant’s structures to be set up as a priority, so government can begin engaging meaningfully with civil society on its implementation.”
Kate Lee, CEO
Kate Lee, CEO
The government has been urged to ensure that charities and state bodies have the resources they need to implement the Civil Society Covenant
Resources needed to support covenant’s implementation, government warned
www.civilsociety.co.uk
January 8, 2026 at 10:49 AM
“The next step is for the covenant’s structures to be set up as a priority, so government can begin engaging meaningfully with civil society on its implementation.”
Kate Lee, CEO
Kate Lee, CEO
This article by By Dr. Natasha Hirst highlights that despite rising hostility and limited resources, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) remains essential to the charity sector’s values and effectiveness.
Read the full article here - dileaders.com/blog/protect...
Read the full article here - dileaders.com/blog/protect...
December 17, 2025 at 9:07 AM
This article by By Dr. Natasha Hirst highlights that despite rising hostility and limited resources, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) remains essential to the charity sector’s values and effectiveness.
Read the full article here - dileaders.com/blog/protect...
Read the full article here - dileaders.com/blog/protect...
"The commitment from the prime minister to build a council that works directly with Number 10 recognises the strength and skills of voluntary organisations in helping solve challenges which are preventing communities from thriving."
Kate Lee, CEO
Kate Lee, CEO
The government has asked sector experts to apply for membership of an advisory body it has set up to drive implementation of this year’s Civil Society Covenant
Sector experts sought for government’s Civil Society Covenant implementation body
www.civilsociety.co.uk
December 15, 2025 at 3:02 PM
"The commitment from the prime minister to build a council that works directly with Number 10 recognises the strength and skills of voluntary organisations in helping solve challenges which are preventing communities from thriving."
Kate Lee, CEO
Kate Lee, CEO
"Using the findings from this report, we need to ensure the sector, its partners and friends, come together to support organisations that are simply trying to deliver their vital work."
Kate Lee, CEO
Kate Lee, CEO
Charities’ employees, volunteers and beneficiaries are feeling “increasingly unsafe” against a backdrop of growing hostility, fear and operational disruption linked to growing social and political division around the UK, @ncvo.bsky.social has warned
Charity staff, volunteers and beneficiaries feeling ‘increasingly unsafe’, report warns
www.civilsociety.co.uk
December 12, 2025 at 8:59 AM
"Using the findings from this report, we need to ensure the sector, its partners and friends, come together to support organisations that are simply trying to deliver their vital work."
Kate Lee, CEO
Kate Lee, CEO
The charity sector has navigated a period of significant difficulty in recent months – feeling increasingly unsafe and under threat amid rising societal tensions.
Read our full report - Challenges Facing Charities in Divided Times:
ncvo.org.uk/news-and-ins...
Read our full report - Challenges Facing Charities in Divided Times:
ncvo.org.uk/news-and-ins...
Climate of fear having a 'direct and damaging' effect on charities' work, report warns
Climate of fear having a 'direct and damaging' effect on charities' work, report warns
The findings echo points heard at a recent Third Sector roundtable discussion with people from charities supporting refugees and migrants
www.thirdsector.co.uk
December 11, 2025 at 11:30 AM
The charity sector has navigated a period of significant difficulty in recent months – feeling increasingly unsafe and under threat amid rising societal tensions.
Read our full report - Challenges Facing Charities in Divided Times:
ncvo.org.uk/news-and-ins...
Read our full report - Challenges Facing Charities in Divided Times:
ncvo.org.uk/news-and-ins...
“Despite years of commitments, this data shows little meaningful progress. Competitive tendering, characterised by burdensome processes and short-term underfunded contracts, creates significant barriers for charities."
- Rebecca Young NCVO Policy and Public Affairs Lead
- Rebecca Young NCVO Policy and Public Affairs Lead
Voluntary organisations are winning fewer than 5% of government contracts, a similar proportion to three years ago, analysis shows
Charities still winning less than 5% of government contracts, analysis shows
www.civilsociety.co.uk
December 2, 2025 at 9:10 AM
“Despite years of commitments, this data shows little meaningful progress. Competitive tendering, characterised by burdensome processes and short-term underfunded contracts, creates significant barriers for charities."
- Rebecca Young NCVO Policy and Public Affairs Lead
- Rebecca Young NCVO Policy and Public Affairs Lead
Last week's #Budget2025 set out plans for tax, spending and public services, with important steps for families and children, but charities continue to face significant financial and operational pressure.
Read our full analysis: www.ncvo.org.uk/news-and-ins...
Read our full analysis: www.ncvo.org.uk/news-and-ins...
December 1, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Last week's #Budget2025 set out plans for tax, spending and public services, with important steps for families and children, but charities continue to face significant financial and operational pressure.
Read our full analysis: www.ncvo.org.uk/news-and-ins...
Read our full analysis: www.ncvo.org.uk/news-and-ins...
Charities barely feature in yesterday’s #AutumnBudget, despite their essential role in communities and the economy. With rising demand and costs, the sector needs investment, fair funding and better policy support. Read our response from yesterday below - further analysis will follow later today.
November 27, 2025 at 9:13 AM
Charities barely feature in yesterday’s #AutumnBudget, despite their essential role in communities and the economy. With rising demand and costs, the sector needs investment, fair funding and better policy support. Read our response from yesterday below - further analysis will follow later today.
Reposted by NCVO
Ending the two-child benefit cap in today's budget is huge, wonderful news for the 500,000 children lifted out of poverty and the 1 million who will face less deep poverty. But the other 4.1m children in poverty deserve the same. This was the right start: now do the rest.
November 26, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Ending the two-child benefit cap in today's budget is huge, wonderful news for the 500,000 children lifted out of poverty and the 1 million who will face less deep poverty. But the other 4.1m children in poverty deserve the same. This was the right start: now do the rest.
Reposted by NCVO
Scrapping the two-child limit shows this government is serious about child poverty, lifting 350,000 children above the poverty line overnight. Poverty can affect every aspect of a child’s present and future life, and hundreds of thousands of lives have been changed for the better today.
November 26, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Scrapping the two-child limit shows this government is serious about child poverty, lifting 350,000 children above the poverty line overnight. Poverty can affect every aspect of a child’s present and future life, and hundreds of thousands of lives have been changed for the better today.
“Charity workers deserve fair pay for the vital work they do, so we welcome the rise in the national living wage.
However, many charities are already under severe financial pressure to meet the rising cost of delivering services."
However, many charities are already under severe financial pressure to meet the rising cost of delivering services."
Reaction from @cfgsocial.bsky.social, @ncvo.bsky.social, @hospiceuk.bsky.social & #CharityRetailAssociation as the government confirms minimum wage rises for next year
Charities brace for extra staff costs as minimum wage rises announced
www.civilsociety.co.uk
November 26, 2025 at 1:44 PM
“Charity workers deserve fair pay for the vital work they do, so we welcome the rise in the national living wage.
However, many charities are already under severe financial pressure to meet the rising cost of delivering services."
However, many charities are already under severe financial pressure to meet the rising cost of delivering services."
“Following this announcement, we need to see a genuine partnership with civil society, in line with the principles of the Civil Society Covenant, so that the policy is developed with organisations, not for them."
- Leigh Brimicombe, NCVO Chief Influencing Officer
- Leigh Brimicombe, NCVO Chief Influencing Officer
. @ncvo.bsky.social has responded after the Home Office announced that there will be a “greater” role for voluntary organisations as part of its plans to reform the UK’s asylum system
NCVO responds to Home Office plan for sector to play ‘greater’ role in asylum system
www.civilsociety.co.uk
November 19, 2025 at 2:37 PM
“Following this announcement, we need to see a genuine partnership with civil society, in line with the principles of the Civil Society Covenant, so that the policy is developed with organisations, not for them."
- Leigh Brimicombe, NCVO Chief Influencing Officer
- Leigh Brimicombe, NCVO Chief Influencing Officer
"The idea of mandating volunteering as a condition for those seeking indefinite leave to remain fundamentally undermines the idea of volunteering."
Leigh Brimicombe, NCVO Chief Influencing Officer
Leigh Brimicombe, NCVO Chief Influencing Officer
November 17, 2025 at 9:13 AM
"The idea of mandating volunteering as a condition for those seeking indefinite leave to remain fundamentally undermines the idea of volunteering."
Leigh Brimicombe, NCVO Chief Influencing Officer
Leigh Brimicombe, NCVO Chief Influencing Officer
“Our congratulations to Dame Julia Unwin.
At a time when charities face sustained financial and social pressures, we look forward to a constructive working relationship focused on fair, independent and proportionate regulation."
Leigh Brimicombe, NCVO Executive Director
At a time when charities face sustained financial and social pressures, we look forward to a constructive working relationship focused on fair, independent and proportionate regulation."
Leigh Brimicombe, NCVO Executive Director
The government has named experienced sector leader @juliaunwin.bsky.social as its preferred candidate to be the next chair of the Charity Commission
Julia Unwin named as government’s choice for next Charity Commission chair
www.civilsociety.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 9:09 AM
“Our congratulations to Dame Julia Unwin.
At a time when charities face sustained financial and social pressures, we look forward to a constructive working relationship focused on fair, independent and proportionate regulation."
Leigh Brimicombe, NCVO Executive Director
At a time when charities face sustained financial and social pressures, we look forward to a constructive working relationship focused on fair, independent and proportionate regulation."
Leigh Brimicombe, NCVO Executive Director
“For any civil society organisation, the starting point should be getting clarity on what it is they are trying to achieve and which stakeholders – political or otherwise – are key to success.”
As Nigel Farage’s party continues to top polls, Jasper King considers how charities should engage with Reform UK
In-depth: How should charities engage with Reform UK?
As Nigel Farage’s party continues to top polls, Jasper King considers how charities should engage with it...
www.civilsociety.co.uk
November 5, 2025 at 9:19 AM
“For any civil society organisation, the starting point should be getting clarity on what it is they are trying to achieve and which stakeholders – political or otherwise – are key to success.”
Reposted by NCVO
Introducing #CivicThreads, a new UK-wide collaboration led by NICVA with @scvo.scot, @wcvacymru.bsky.social & @ncvo.bsky.social to strengthen connections across the voluntary & community sectors.
Building shared leadership, policy tools & dialogue across the UK.
Funded by UK Gov’s Connect Fund.
Building shared leadership, policy tools & dialogue across the UK.
Funded by UK Gov’s Connect Fund.
November 3, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Introducing #CivicThreads, a new UK-wide collaboration led by NICVA with @scvo.scot, @wcvacymru.bsky.social & @ncvo.bsky.social to strengthen connections across the voluntary & community sectors.
Building shared leadership, policy tools & dialogue across the UK.
Funded by UK Gov’s Connect Fund.
Building shared leadership, policy tools & dialogue across the UK.
Funded by UK Gov’s Connect Fund.
"Our analysis highlights a sector that understands what good governance looks like but still finds it hard to live it consistently.
Many boards have strong intentions, but translating those into culture takes sustained effort."
Sally Stephens, NCVO’s lead governance consultant
Many boards have strong intentions, but translating those into culture takes sustained effort."
Sally Stephens, NCVO’s lead governance consultant
Many charity boards still struggle to build inclusive and open cultures, despite growing more confident in how they govern, according to new research from @ncvo.bsky.social
Charity boards struggling to build inclusive cultures, research finds
www.civilsociety.co.uk
November 4, 2025 at 12:14 PM
"Our analysis highlights a sector that understands what good governance looks like but still finds it hard to live it consistently.
Many boards have strong intentions, but translating those into culture takes sustained effort."
Sally Stephens, NCVO’s lead governance consultant
Many boards have strong intentions, but translating those into culture takes sustained effort."
Sally Stephens, NCVO’s lead governance consultant
There’s still time to take part in this wave of the VCSE Barometer Survey!
The survey builds insight into real-time trends, changes and challenges in the UK voluntary, community and social enterprise sector. Help share your views today - bit.ly/4nzv5sN
#CharityResearch #VoluntarySector
The survey builds insight into real-time trends, changes and challenges in the UK voluntary, community and social enterprise sector. Help share your views today - bit.ly/4nzv5sN
#CharityResearch #VoluntarySector
November 3, 2025 at 10:00 AM
There’s still time to take part in this wave of the VCSE Barometer Survey!
The survey builds insight into real-time trends, changes and challenges in the UK voluntary, community and social enterprise sector. Help share your views today - bit.ly/4nzv5sN
#CharityResearch #VoluntarySector
The survey builds insight into real-time trends, changes and challenges in the UK voluntary, community and social enterprise sector. Help share your views today - bit.ly/4nzv5sN
#CharityResearch #VoluntarySector
With the use of artificial intelligence (AI) continuing to grow and emerging as a powerful tool for charities, Phoenix and NCVO carried out a survey earlier this year to understand how prepared charities are for using AI.
Read the full report - phoenixs.co.uk/resources/bl...
Read the full report - phoenixs.co.uk/resources/bl...
October 21, 2025 at 8:05 AM
With the use of artificial intelligence (AI) continuing to grow and emerging as a powerful tool for charities, Phoenix and NCVO carried out a survey earlier this year to understand how prepared charities are for using AI.
Read the full report - phoenixs.co.uk/resources/bl...
Read the full report - phoenixs.co.uk/resources/bl...