Useful Information – August 2024
July 31, 2024
Events, training, charity news, surveys, research, feedback, reports, services and much more – in one handy place!
This page will be updated with new information as we receive it during August. Please check back regularly. (Last update: 23/08/24 – items added on this date are marked as [NEW])
We have a dedicated article covering Responding to Racist Violence in Local Communities, which links to a page with resources which we will keep updated.
You’ll also find the latest Health and Wellbeing news, events and opportunities in the current post on our News page here.
You can view last month’s Useful Information here to catch up on new information added during July ’24.
For useful resources, information and news, updates on our climate commitment, blog posts from colleagues about what they’re doing (in a work capacity and privately) to minimise environmental impact and more take a look at Cumbria CVS Green
If you’ve seen something you think we should be sharing, let us know! Email us: info@cumbriacvs.org.uk
Looking for funding information? Check out the latest edition of Focus on Funding here
Training and Events
Webinar: How to create compelling digital journeys
19 September, online. The webinar will explore how to turn strangers into supporters, donors, campaigners, volunteers, and service users, creating compelling digital journeys for the communities you serve.
Transferrable Skills and Confidence Building
Inspira are facilitating this free programme to help people get in to employment.
Enrolment is on Wednesday 11 September in Kendal, with the course running from Monday 23 to Wednesday 25 September.
Click on the thumbnail image for for more information.
Introduction to Anti-Racism in Charities
19 September, online. This online course is a perfect introduction for senior leaders and trustees to learn and plan how to work towards race equity in their organisation’s culture, practice and services.
Over two mornings, you will learn to:
- Understand key race equity concepts and terminology
- Understand the context and need for this work within our sector
- Assess where your organisation is on its journey towards race equity
- Explore creating a compelling race equity vision
- Begin to set tangible goals.
Prince’s Trust courses
In this newsletter from Prince’s Trust Lancashire there are opportunities that cover Cumbria too, for young people aged 16-30 to get involved in. Courses are free and give people the tools to build their confidence, find a job or start their own business.
Get into Engineering with BAE Barrow
On Get into Engineering with BAE participants will:
- Take part in an onsite work experience placement with BAE Systems.
- Develop new skills and confidence, improve their CV and boost their interview technique.
- Learn about job opportunities and apprenticeships with BAE Systems.
- Receive 6 months post-programme support.
Taster Session: Wednesday 25 September. Programme: Monday 30 September to Friday 25 October (Monday-Friday). Venue: BAE Barrow
Get into Engineering participants need to be aged 18-30, not in education, training, or employment and a UK National.
Digital Fundraising Summit
Thursday 7 November 2024. The Summit is a free, one-day, online event, with informative webinars, interactive workshops and plenty of time for networking.
We will explore fundraising trends and fads, and how to spot the difference; examine the impact of AI and where it can help with fundraising; investigate how we can make fundraising more accessible for donors; and much, much more.
Introduction to Community Action course
Starts Wednesday 18 September 2024, online. Are you passionate about making a difference in your community? Have you got an idea to spark positive change but need help taking the first or next step?
Jam-packed with workshops, motivational talks, networking and fun, the course is for anyone interested in getting more involved in their community and applications for our September course are now open!
How to master email marketing
17 September, online. This course aims to boost your email marketing.
The course provides a hands-on approach, showing charities the basics of email marketing, the best platforms, strategies for effective list-building, the importance of segmentation, tips and tricks for crafting effective emails, the best way to write a subject line, the virtues of personalisation, and so much more.
How to manage charity finances
3 September, online. The course aims to help you make sense of your charity finances. It provides a simple, plain-English introduction, covering budgeting, reporting, governance, sustainability, futureproofing, and so much more.
In two back-to-back sessions, each lasting approximately 80 minutes, the course offers key insights into the essential elements of charity finance.
Practical uses of AI for your charity
27 August, online. The three-hour course aims to boost your everyday use of AI. It takes a hands-on, practical approach, showing charities how to use AI to improve meetings, boost email marketing, smash data analytics, enhance workflow efficiency, implement AI-powered chatbots, advance accessibility, boost income through grant funding, support content generation, and much more.
CharityComms Storytelling Conference
Join charity storytelling experts and peers for a day of learning and conversation. The conference on 19 September will examine charity storytelling in today’s world, helping you elevate your skills and hone your approach.
Talks will cover:
- AI for storytellers
- A practical and playful copywriting workshop
- Using storytelling to bring data to life and inspire support
- Developing your brand story
- Working with storytellers
Plus so much more! This event is open to both CharityComms members and non-members.
Read the full agenda and book your ticket here
First Line Manager training programme
The Centre for Leadership Performance (CforLP) has announced a fully funded First Line Manager Programme thanks to funding from Westmorland and Furness Council’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
The First Line Manager (FLM) programme aims to equip new managers in Westmorland and Furness with the toolkit, training and support they need to improve motivation, engagement, employee retention and productivity.
A flyer is available here and you can find out more on the Centre for Leadership Performance website here
Canva for Fundraisers masterclass
Thursday 5 September 2024, online. The masterclass will build your confidence using Canva to increase your fundraising success – no design skills necessary!
Led by Fundraising Expert Michelle Stein, this session will give you practical advice and demonstrations on how Canva can be used to make high-impact improvements to your fundraising communications (including proposal documents, reports, case studies, presentations, videos, infographics, posters, websites, and social media images!)
Introduction to Individual Giving Workshop
Wednesday 4 September 2024, online. This Workshop looks at practical solutions and ideas for growing your charity’s income through support from individual donors.
As with all Get Grants events, there will be an opportunity to come together with like-minded people and share successes, experiences, and support with our UK-wide community of fundraisers.
Meet The expert events
In Get Grants’ popular Meet the Funder and Meet the Expert Virtual Events, their Funding Experts are joined by funders and subject experts to talk about their programmes. These events give attendees the opportunity to speak directly to funders, take part in discussions, get unique insights, and ask questions specific to their project or organisation.
Coming up:
Charity Excellence Framework – Wednesday 4 September 2024, online. Charity Excellence Framework is a free one-stop shop for everything the non-profit sector needs.
easyfundraising – Tuesday 10 September 2024, online. At this Meet the Expert event, we will be joined by Becky Coleman, Partnerships Manager for easyfundraising, who will explain how changing your organisations and networks online shopping habits can support your fundraising goals.
Self Employment as a Career Option
Tuesday 10 September, Kendal. Inspira are facilitating this free course to help you become self-employed.
Click on the thumbnail image for more information.
Get Grants Virtual Conference
1 & 2 October, online. Two days of expert fundraising advice, top tips, Q&As, networking, peer-support, and lots of chat.
The Conference will be full of celebration, inspiration, and practical advice and support, bringing together Fundraisers from across the UK for a programme led by Get Grants Experts, funders, and other experts from across the sector, providing practical support and advice for fundraisers of all levels that can easily be put in to practice.
VCFSE News and Information
Free tool launched to generate privacy notices for small charities
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has launched a free tool to help small charities create a bespoke privacy notice.
This is to protect people’s information rights, as under data protection law, every organisation that holds people’s information needs to explain why it holds it and what it does with it.
‘Big opportunity’ for charities to engage older supporters on social media, researchers say
If charities can better engage older supporters on social media there is “huge potential to spread the message to a wider audience”, according to new research.
A survey by strategy agency Eden Stanley found that 30% of the UK population post about charitable causes online, though engagement varies by age.
Westmorland & Furness Council Newsletter
You can view Westmorland & Furness Council’s newsletter from 16/08/24 here, including:
- We are thrilled to share our new grant finding tool
- A Level results improve in Westmorland and Furness
- Temporary market will be a real home from home for Barrow traders
Cumberland Council Newsletter
You can view Cumberland Council’s newsletter from 16/08/24 here, including:
- Cumberland Council drives forward with exciting Bus service enhancements!
- Active Cumbria has announced the publication of the first annual report for Live Longer Better in Cumbria
- Supply chain update – changes to public sector procurement
Ten ways to boost motivation and productivity
The charity sector can be demanding and people are often expected to achieve more with less.
These ten simple tools and tricks can help you find ways to boost your motivation and productivity and make the most of your time at work.
Ending soon: £50,000 available for community projects
This is your last chance to apply for up to £50,000 from the Cost of Living Resilience Fund, as applications close on 31st August 2024.
If you have a project that supports individuals and communities in England in navigating and overcoming the challenges of the current cost of living crisis, make sure you seize this opportunity!
TikTok for charities: Making your content accessible for all
TikTok offers charities a great space to spread awareness, share impactful stories, and connect with new audiences. However, it’s essential that charities ensure that the content they create is accessible to everyone.
Creating accessible content on TikTok not only helps your charity reach a wider audience, but it also embeds inclusion across your digital channels, ensuring that everyone can enjoy and engage with your videos. This article from Media Trust offers some tips on how to make sure that your TikTok content is accessible.
7 ways that heatwaves exacerbate existing inequalities
Heatwaves are our new normal, it’s just a case of how bad they will be. The UK is particularly at risk, with predictions that summer temperatures and extreme hot days could rise up to 50% faster than the average rate of global warming. The people most impacted by climate change in the UK are those who are already disadvantaged, often in multiple ways.
In this blog, NPC’s Environment Lead, Liz Gadd outlines seven ways that heatwaves exacerbate inequalities.
Charity trustee insights hub
RSM’s Charity trustee insights hub provides valuable guidance, support and insights into key challenges and developments within the charity sector.
Charity trustees should understand their responsibilities and ensure proper governance, especially during times of change and financial constraints. The hub covers the following key topics:
- reserves
- impact reporting
- finance function
- risk/governance
- people
Fundraising Regulator publishes guidance for charities working with professional fundraisers and commercial participators
The Fundraising regulator has recently published new guidance for charitable institutions working with professional fundraisers and commercial participators.
Working with professional fundraisers or commercial participators can help charities meet their fundraising goals, access new skills, knowledge and experience, and increase public awareness. However, there are legal requirements with which the charitable institution and the professional fundraiser or commercial participator need to comply. You can read more in the guidance section on their website, and also the accompanying blog.
How to protect your organisation from fraud in 2024
According to the National Crime Agency, fraud is the most common crime in the UK and accounts for 40% of all crime in England and Wales. With such a high prevalence, charities are not immune to fraud. In fact, according to the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), charities are particularly vulnerable to falling victim to cyber crime. So what can your charity do to minimise its risk of fraud and protect itself?
Charities are not immune to fraud and can even be more vulnerable to it. Learn how to protect your charity from fraud and how to report it.
Dormant assets scheme expands with potential to unlock further £880m
An expansion of the Dormant Assets Scheme may make millions more available for the charitable sector.
In a second phase of expansion, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has amended its rules to enable dormant investment assets and client money to be part of the scheme.
Charity bosses pledge solidarity with UK communities targeted by racist violence
Charity chief executives have promised to “stand in solidarity” with riot-hit communities in the UK that have faced racist violence during August.
An open letter signed by 58 leaders of international development charities said they would redouble efforts to dismantle racism.
The best CRM systems for 2025
Charity Digital look at the best CRM systems on the market in 2025, breaking down their pros and cons and reviewing some of their features.
Why funders should focus on long-term success
Charity Digital explore why funders should reject the short-term, myopic approach to funding, focusing on lasting impact rather than quick wins.
Cumberland Council Newsletter
You can view Cumberland Council’s newsletter from 09/08/24 here, including:
- Taste of the Sea, Maryport
- Donations and sewing skills wanted!
- Sharpen your skills with new adult learning courses
Westmorland & Furness Council Newsletter
You can view Westmorland & Furness Council’s newsletter from 09/08/24 here, including:
- Council launches new grant finding tool
- Have your say on a new Public Space Protection Order
- Holiday Activity and Food programme
Charities ‘afraid of being targeted’ in riots, says sector body
Some charities are concerned about being targeted by the riots taking place across the UK, sector umbrella body NCVO has said.
NCVO chief executive Sarah Elliott urged charities to seek advice from the police or their local authority if they feel threatened.
Five key types of donors charities need to know
Explore five types of donors and discover how charities can engage them to boost their fundraising and drive more impact.
Westmorland & Furness Council Newsletter
You can view Westmorland & Furness Council’s newsletter from 02/08/24 here, including:
- Council marks Love Parks Week as Penrith’s Castle Park wins Green Flag Award
- Renewed buzz for Kendal markets
- Blooming Barrow on display
Cumberland Council Newsletter
You can view Cumberland Council’s newsletter from 02/08/24 here, including:
- Explore Workington’s Gateway project at drop-in event
- Operation Respect
- Can you dig it?
Charities report difficulties in finding operational space
Charities have reported facing difficulties finding operational space.
In response to a recently published survey, 73% of civil society organisations said they found it “moderately” or “extremely” difficult to look for physical spaces in which to provide their services.
King’s Speech 2024: what you need to know
The NHS Confederation has produced a briefing which provides an analysis of what the King’s Speech means for the health service under the new government.
The King’s Speech, delivered on 17th July, focused primarily on economic growth measures. Health-specific announcements included reforming the Mental Health Act and tackling smoking by raising the age of sale of tobacco products.
Aligning your investments with your charitable purpose
In this online blog, LPC explain how charities can consider aligning investments with their charitable purpose to achieve a dual objective of achieving financial return whilst having a positive social or environmental benefit.
The King’s Speech 2024: What do charities need to know?
Following the recent general election, the King delivered his first King’s Speech, setting out draft laws that government plans to introduce over the parliamentary session. It also sets out many measures that could impact charities and voluntary organisations.
NCVO have given a round-up of the key announcements and what the speech missed.
Future of the Charity Sector under new Labour government
Nfp Research are sharing insights from their latest online event, the nfpPolitics Westminster Post Election Panel. They hosted a panel discussion to explore the state of the UK charity sector and new opportunities emerging under the recently elected Labour government.
The distinguished panel included Chloe Wright, Head of External Affairs at Age UK, Alex Kenney, Senior Public Affairs Manager at BHF, and Sophie Dodgeon, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at RNIB. Together, they provided valuable insights and discussed the potential impacts of the new political landscape on charitable organisations.
Charities’ gift aid income remains at £1.6bn as money rises from other tax reliefs
Charities in the UK received £1.6bn through gift aid in 2023-24, the same as the year before, according to new data published by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).
HMRC’s UK charity tax relief statistics, published last month, show that overall tax reliefs for charities in the year to April 2024 amounted to £4.46bn, up 3% on the previous year.
Treasury publishes plans to end VAT breaks for private school charities in January
The Treasury has confirmed its plans to end VAT exemptions for UK private schools from 1 January and remove the ability of those in England to claim charitable business rates relief.
In July, the department published a technical note with details of its planned changes and opened a consultation, which will run for seven weeks until 15 September.
The rise in support for refugee charities
Refugee charities are seeing increased support despite so-called ‘culture war’ attacks against their work.
W&F Travel Bursary Scheme
Are you 16-19 and experiencing difficulty paying for transport for educational purposes?
Westmorland and Furness Council are offering a bursary to support you.
More information in this flyer
How to choose a legal structure for your organisation
Take a look at the four main charity structures and how to decide what’s right for you.
Stephanie Peacock welcomed as civil society minister
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has confirmed that its minister Stephanie Peacock will hold the civil society brief.
Umbrella bodies NCVO and ACEVO, who both met culture secretary Lisa Nandy this week, welcomed Peacock to the role.
Treasury minister urged to ease tax burdens on charity sector
The recently appointed Treasury minister with responsibility for charity taxation has been urged to remove burdens and complexities for the sector as part of his role.
Former deputy mayor of London James Murray was appointed exchequer secretary to the Treasury following the Labour Party’s victory in the general election.
Website launched to help charities open and manage bank accounts
Banking trade association UK Finance has launched a website to support charities opening and managing bank accounts after many reported experiencing difficulties with financial services.
UK Finance announced plans for a guide earlier this year after 42% of charity trustees responded to a survey saying they had experienced bad service from banks in the previous 12 months.
Stricklandgate House funding success
Stricklandgate House Trust has been successful in their bid for funding, and this news will benefit the voluntary sector in Kendal for years to come.
“Great news! We are thrilled to announce £267,462 support from @HeritageFundUK for our project Stricklandgate House 4 Sustainable Heritage (SGH4SH): Where heritage meets the day-to-day. The project made possible by National Lottery Players, will enable the Trust to develop exciting plans to conserve and celebrate the heritage of Stricklandgate House in Kendal, secure its future and enhance its value to the wider community.”
Click here for more information
Hybrid working: investing in the future
Hybrid working is here to stay. Charities should start to prepare for long-term remote working and ensure all staff are well-equipped and prepared for the future.
Charity Commission publishes guidance for online meetings
The Charity Commission has called on charities that hold online meetings to review their governing document to ensure it is up to date.
It has redesigned guidance on charities and meetings, published in light of the changing ways in which people communicate since the Covid-19 pandemic.
Sector reacts to king’s speech: ‘Opportunity for charities and philanthropists’
Charities have given a mixed response to the first king’s speech under Keir Starmer’s government, delivered by King Charles following Labour’s general election victory.
Written by the government, the speech set out its plans to remove the VAT exemption for private school fees, devolve more power to local metro mayors and combined authorities and speed up the delivery of infrastructure and housing.
When collaborating for change, we all need to be strong communicators
In this online article, Adeela Warley, CEO of Charity Comms writes for Third Sector on why communication matters for successful collaborations.
Adeela discusses the importance of communications for charities in helping to influence and drive social change, and the way in which organisations are using positive messaging to create deeper connections and spark solutions-based conversations.
Free Tool to find out about MPs and their experience in the charity sector
If you work with your MPs or would like to in future, Pro Bono Economics has shared a free tool to help charities find out who they could work with.
It identifies all 242 MPs who have publicly advertised that they have a background in the charity sector – as an employee, a trustee, a patron or a fundraiser.
Find out more and try the tool
Essential skills for charity boards
Explore what skills charity boards need to have and why having a digital trustee is essential in 2024.
How charities can avoid ‘revenue leakage’
Mistakes and poor organisation are costing charities more than £6bn a year, latest research has found. Charity Digital look at the research and give advice to help charities to avoid the problem.
Trading for Good – School for Social Entrepreneurs
Trading for Good is a new programme by the School for Social Entrepreneurs that provides funding, education and support for social entrepreneurs and community businesses across England. The programme includes a Match Trading Grant, learning and development programme and your own ready-made network. Gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence to develop and grow projects that tackle social and environmental challenges through strong trading income streams.
Latest Vision for Volunteering blog – Power
“Volunteering is an individual choice: deciding what to volunteer for and how, and what difference to make. Volunteer involvement is increasingly moving away from volunteers being the unquestioning recipients of instruction, and instead moving towards recognising that they have choice in the decisions about their volunteering and are active partners in relationships. The individual volunteer’s choice shapes the community in which they want to live. But to what extent do people feel that they have the power and resources to make that choice?”
Read the Vision for Volunteering’s latest blog to explore the theme of power further
How to make volunteering more inclusive
Making volunteering accessible to everyone benefits both charities and those who want to give back.
Starmer appoints former charities shadow minister as DCMS secretary
Keir Starmer has appointed former Labour shadow charities minister Lisa Nandy as culture secretary in his first cabinet as prime minister, which has been described as having the “strongest charity sector background in modern history”.
Nandy, who was shadow international development minister prior to this year’s general election, said she was “thrilled” to lead the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). The Civil Society and Youth Directorate was part of DCMS prior to the election but the department has yet to confirm its portfolio for this parliament.
How to lead a charity into 2025
Charity Digital explore the modern challenges charity leaders are facing and how they can navigate them effectively to achieve more impact for their cause.
Charities ‘must have a seat at the table’ – sector reacts to historic Labour landslide
Charity sector leaders have responded to the general election result, which saw the Labour Party win a historic landslide victory after 14 years of a Conservative-led government.
Civil society bodies urged new prime minister Keir Starmer to act on his promise to partner with the sector and “reset” the relationship between it and the state.
How to learn AI in 2024
Take a look at the best resources for learning about AI in the charity sector.
Surveys, Research, Feedback and Reports
Third of charities expect finances to deteriorate over autumn, research reveals
Researchers have found that around a third of charities expect their finances to deteriorate in the coming months while a further third expect their resources to stagnate.
Pro Bono Economics (PBE) and Nottingham Trent University’s VCSE Data and Insights National Observatory report warns that deep-rooted challenges of financial instability, skills gaps and rising demand are affecting charities’ ability to support people most in need.
Public trust in charities at ten-year high, reveals research
Public trust in charities is at its highest level since 2014, according to research published recently by the Charity Commission.
Charities now score 6.5 out of 10 for trust, up from 6.3 in 2023, from a low of 5.5 in 2018 following a series of scandals.
Unlocking Digital Potential: 5 Strategies for Boosting Staff Engagement with Digital Skills
Cast recently conducted a research project with organisations piloting their Digital Skills Framework, with the aim of understanding the successes and challenges in upskilling staff and volunteers.
In this blog, Head of Digital Practice Tori Ellaway shares the key themes and strategies that emerged as successful in helping to foster a thriving learning environment.
National LGBT Partnership Survey
The National LGBT Partnership team are currently running a survey that focuses on joint working between LGBTQ+ organisations and health care systems.
This survey forms part of a year-long project with the aims of increasing health systems’ understanding of how to engage in a meaningful and ethical way with LGBT+ organisations as well as resourcing LGBT+ organisations to understand, access and influence local/regional health system work. Participants will have the opportunity to be entered into a prize draw for two £50 love-to-shop vouchers.
Largest charities see rise in pensions’ funding levels and income
The largest 40 charities with defined benefit (DB) pension schemes have experienced a rise in their combined reserves, according to Hymans Roberson’s annual report on DB pension funding in the charitable sector.
The report finds that the combined reserves of the largest 40 charities by income in England and Wales that sponsor DB pension schemes, rose to £50bn in 2022, an increase from £39bn in 2019.
Membership charities need to build on sense of ‘cause and community’, research finds
Membership-based charities have common opportunities to build on the “strong sense of cause and community” their model offers but need to do more to realise that potential, according to newly published research.
The research, by consultants Lucent, is based on findings from research carried out with 17 disparate organisations, many of them dating back to Victorian times.
Minoritised-led charities report being refused funding because of race or ethnicity
Most Black and ethnic minoritised-led charities and social enterprises believe they have been refused finance because of their race or ethnicity, according to new research.
In response to Pathway Fund’s survey of 1,000 Black and ethnic minoritised-led organisations, 76% reported having funding rejected because of their race or ethnicity.
Have your say on the design code in Westmorland & Furness
A Design Code sets out the design standards we expect from new development. We’d like to understand your views and preferences on local design, the quality of recent development and the different characteristics of places across Westmorland and Furness.
We’d really like to hear what you think about design in the future. You can read more about the Design Code project here. And share your views directly here.
This work is also part of wider engagement being led by the council as part of their early conversation about a new Local Plan for Westmorland and Furness. You can read more and share you views on that here.
North Cumbria Integrated Care – Have your say on plans to improve health and healthcare in North Cumbria
The Trust runs hospital and community services in north Cumbria and is seeking views from the community as it develops a new clinical strategy to improve the healthcare and the health of our community.
You can have your say by completing the online survey or asking NCIC to attend your meeting.
Police Fire & Crime Plan Consultation Survey
Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner David Allen has recently launched his Police, Fire and Crime Plan Consultation and is seeking the views of the public on the future priorities of Cumbria Constabulary and Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service.
The consultation results will assist with the development of the Police, Fire and Crime Plan for the next four years. The Plan sets out the aims that the Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Service will prioritise based on what the public would like to see from their services and will be used by the Commissioner to hold the Chief Constable and Chief Fire Officer to account.
As well as focussing on the priorities of the Services, the consultation is also asking residents how safe they currently feel in the county and their views on the current service they receive from Police and Fire and Rescue.
Get involved in the Big Conversation
Over the coming months the ICB want to hear more people’s views through the Big Conversation – which was launched at the Women’s Health Conference.
This is a major survey gathering views from across the North East and North Cumbria, with support from the region’s Healthwatch organisations, to better understand what’s working well and what can be improved. It focuses on areas like menstrual health and gynaecological conditions, menopause and cancer, as well as fertility, pregnancy loss and postnatal support.
The views shared will directly feed into plans for women’s health in the region.
VCS Emergencies Partnership Impact Report
The VCS Emergencies Partnership (VCSEP), co-chaired by NAVCA, have published their impact report for 2023/24 – Networks of Trust. The last year has been one in which the Partnership has responded to a variety of crises, from supporting evacuees fleeing Sudan to helping residents leave their homes safely after the discovery of an unexploded World War Two bomb in Plymouth.
All of this has taken place whilst partners manage increased demand for their services and overstretched budgets, as the pressures of the Cost-of-Living crisis continue for many communities around the country.
National Institute for Health and Care Research Research Support Service (RSS) Specialist Centre for Social Care
Whether you’re an experienced researcher or brand new to research, if you have a research idea to change practice or improve service in social care, and you’re not sure about next steps or want some guidance developing your research funding application, the RSS Specialist Centre for Social Care offers expert research advice and specialist topic expertise across the full spectrum of social care to help you realise your ideas.
Click on the thumbnail image for more information and find out more about the Specialist Centre for Social Care here
To join a network of voluntary sector organisations who are interested about using research and or evaluating their services, have a look at ARC NWC (Applied Research Collective NW Coast), which aims to improve health and care outcomes for everyone by bringing together academics, health and social care providers, members of the public, universities and local authorities.
Our vision is to improve the quality, delivery and efficiency of health and care services; reduce health inequalities and increase the sustainability of the health and care system both locally and nationally. You don’t have to be a researcher, in fact most are not, there are plenty of easy ways for organisations to engage with the network.
NIHR – Applied Research Collaboration | North West Coast
Get Involved – NIHR Sign up for newsletters
Report highlights growth in legacy donations to arts charities
A new report has highlighted a recent growth of legacy donations to arts charities, outpacing an increase elsewhere in the sector.
The Art of Legacies, published by Remember A Charity, includes data from consultancy Legacy Foresight, which listed 34 arts, culture and heritage organisations in its top 1,000 charities for legacy income in 2022-23.
‘Tone-policing’ of charity campaigns has risen, warns NGO group
Charities have increasingly been criticised for the tone of their campaigns by politicians, NGO umbrella body Bond has warned.
Its report published in July says that while governments and parliamentarians have long criticised charities for being too political, “the focus has been on the tone of charity campaigns as much the issues or policies they address” over the past year.
Key findings from the Charity Digital Skills Report 2024
Explore the insightful results of the 2024 Charity Digital Skills Report, which covers digital marketing, digital fundraising, service delivery, artificial intelligence, and so much more.
Mental Health and the Menopause
This 15-minute questionnaire is part of The Marie Project, and is an exploration of the Mental Health Impact among Menopausal women. Find out more by clicking on the thumbnail image.
Record number of applications for charitable status, regulator reports
The Charity Commission received its highest-ever number of applications for charitable status, according to its recently published annual report and accounts.
In the year to March 2024, the regulator received 9,008 applications to register a charity, compared with 8,583 in 2022-23.
The Charity Digital Skills Report 2024 is released
The annual barometer of digital adoption, skills, attitudes, funding and support needs across the sector, the new Charity Digital Skills Report for 2024 has just been released.
This year’s survey was extensively redeveloped to capture a snapshot of the sector at this pivotal moment of change, and to discover where it needs help with digital to maximise its impact. The report shows a year when tech use across the sector has evolved, yet overall digital progress has remained static, with the cost of living crisis impacting on charities and their organisational development.
Big Cumbrian LGBTQI+ survey
PiNC (Pride in North Cumbria) are conducting a survey to gain insights into the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals in Cumbria.
Your input will help them understand challenges and discrimination faced when accessing services, particularly healthcare. Your responses will remain confidential and contribute to improving support for the LGBTQ+ community in Cumbria. It takes about 10 minutes to complete.
Six in 10 charities use AI in day-to-day operations, report finds
More than six in 10 charities are now using artificial intelligence (AI) in their day-to-day work or operations, according to the latest Charity Digital Skills report.
Every year since 2017, the report has collected data on charities’ digital adoption, skills, attitudes, funding and support needs.
Disclaimer
The information above is provided in good faith. Whilst every care is taken to ensure that it is correct, Cumbria CVS cannot accept liability for any omissions or inaccuracies and does not take responsibility for the quality for any services or products mentioned.
