Useful Information – June 2024
May 28, 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 June. Please check back regularly. (Last update: 28/06/24 – items added on this date are marked as [NEW])
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 May ’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
We have a dedicated page covering resources, information and guidance relating to the forthcoming General Election in the UK, which is regularly updated.
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: Wellbeing tips for social media professionals
4 July, online. Working in social media is fast-paced and exciting, but it can also be relentless. Our ’always on’ culture means people expect immediate responses, making it hard to switch off and blurring the lines between personal and professional use. Social media platforms are becoming more negative spaces, with trolls and distressing content impacting our wellbeing.
Join this webinar to learn tips, tools, and techniques for protecting your mental health and that of your team.
Find out more and sign up here
Responding effectively when your charity faces opposition
Thursday 27 June, Online. Learn how to engage and respond effectively when your charity experiences challenge or opposition.
This free event from NCVO, in partnership with Media Trust, is hosted as part of Small Charity Week 2024.
Charity Social Media Conference 2024
17 July, online. How are you adapting to the changing social media landscape? Join experts and peers for a day of learning and conversation with CharityComms. This one-day conference is packed with insightful sessions to help you maximise and future-proof your charity’s social media approach, including:
- Putting the social back in social media: community engagement tips
- Using AI to boost your social media
- Building trust online
- The future of social media platforms
- Content trends to elevate engagement
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.
Cumbria Local Resilience Forum Summer Hazards Workshop
10 July – Wigton Market Hall or 16 July – Barrow Town Hall. Do you want to know more about the hazards we might face in Cumbria this summer and how your community group might begin to prepare for them?
Cumbria Local Resilience Forum is holding two Summer Hazards workshops in July where you’ll be able to find out more about extreme heat, drought, surface water flooding, wildfires and more – as well as their common consequences such as loss of power. The workshops will be a mix of presentations and practical activities, and a great chance to meet other groups as well as staff from responder organisations.
See the attached flyer – and use this link to book your place
Trust and Foundations Fundraising Course
Monday 3 July & Monday 10 July, online. This course offers a comprehensive overview of the grant funding through Trusts & Foundations process that you can apply to your organisation. The course is designed as both a follow-on to the Bid Writing for Charities and Community Groups Course and as a stand-alone course for fundraisers with a minimum level of experience.
During the course you will improve skills and confidence fundraising from Trusts and Foundations through practical support that can be taken away and put into action.
Introduction to Using Data Workshop
Thursday 6 June, online. This free Introduction to Using Data to Increase Fundraising Success Workshop will explore the importance of including a range of data in your funding applications to improve your chance of fundraising success.
Virtual Fundraisers Networking
Tuesday 25 June 2024, online. There has never been a greater need for fundraisers to get together and share knowledge and experience.
Get Grants FREE Virtual Fundraisers Networking Events bring fundraisers together to access friendly peer-support from our UK-wide Get Grants Community.
Volunteers’ Week 2024 Webinar – How to say thank you: The importance of volunteer appreciation
Thursday 6 June, Online. Discover meaningful, budget-friendly ways to show volunteers you value and appreciate them.
In this webinar from NCVO, find out how saying thank you can improve your volunteer retention and satisfaction.
Free Brand Development Workshop for Common Good Organisations
Friday 21 June, on Zoom. In this free Find Your Brand Voice workshop, explore Brand Themes and Brand Traits – two simple principles that will help you develop a clear, distinctive and engaging brand voice across all your communication channels.
Find out how they can be used to ensure your key messages and unique qualities are expressed clearly, consistently, correctly and imaginatively across all platforms.
Civil Society Workshops
The University of Cumbria is working with the Cumbria Lieutenancy, Cumbria Development Education Centre (CDEC) and Thinking Philanthropy to develop an enquiry into how Cumbrians define an effective Civil Society. We are asking together:
– What is most needed to create a more thriving and equitable community life in Cumbria?
– What is working already that makes us a strong, connected, and flourishing place to be?
If you would be prepared to join us in this investigation, there are two remaining in-person opportunities: Workington on 13 June and Barrow on 4 July.
Find out more and register here
Webinar: Bringing digital into the boardroom
12 June, online. Driving digital transformation in a charity begins at the top. Board members often have limited time and many topics to cover, which can lead to challenges in leadership and progress.
This session, designed to speed up digital transformation, will help board members set priorities, solve problems, and lead their organisations effectively.
IVAR webinar: Involving communities in health service design
26 June, online. Do you want to involve communities in the design of health services? Or work in cross-sector partnership to address local health challenges?
An upcoming webinar on from the Institute for Voluntary Action Research (IVAR) will share recent findings from their Connecting Health Communities initiative, and be an opportunity for Q&A. Over the last 15+ years, IVAR has supported VCSE organisations and local systems to work together with communities to take action.
Communicating Climate Action in Cumbria
18 June, online webinar. This free event, for communications professionals and volunteers will:
- Outline the concept of segmentation,
- Cover the seven segments from Britain Talks Climate,
- Show how segmentation and mapping can be used to engage people on climate action,
- Introduce the Cumbria maps and data.
Digital Inclusion Summit 2024
On 20 June 2024, Charity Digital will be holding a free online event for charity professionals to gain skills and knowledge to help them dismantle the digital divide.
Whether you are a digital master or novice, the event will have something for you. Sessions will introduce the concept of digital inclusion, teach attendees key digital skills for 2024, and explore what we can each do to make the digital world a safer, happier, more inclusive place.
Reduce your digital carbon footprint; a sustainable way to communicate and collaborate
Wednesday 5 June, online. Learn how to apply sustainable choices and behaviours into your daily use of technology to reduce your individual carbon footprint.
The environmental impact of IT is significant and expected to increase. Us as individuals can support in reaching our Net Zero targets by adopting sustainable best practices when using technology.
Capital Fundraising Masterclass
Monday 3 June, online. This NEW Capital Fundraising MASTERCLASS will dive into a practical approach that will make fundraising for Capital projects easier, and increase your chances of fundraising success!
VCFSE News and 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.
Labour minister says charity sector support must be ‘scalable’ and ‘sustainable’
A Labour government would not mean “tonnes of additional funding” for the charity sector, though it wants to provide support, the shadow civil society minister has said.
Speaking at NCVO’s voluntary sector hustings, Lilian Greenwood said that if Labour wins the next election, its changes to local government could release more money for civil society.
Make it easier for volunteers to move between charities, retail association urges
The Charity Retail Association (CRA) has urged the next government to build systems to make it easier for people to move between volunteering opportunities in different charities.
Ahead of next month’s general election, CRA has published a manifesto setting out its priorities for the charity sector for the 2024-29 parliament.
NPC publish ‘Partners for Change’
New Philanthropy Capital (NPC) have published a paper that makes recommendations around how civil society should be a key partner in delivering the new government’s plans to revitalise the country.
If the next government works with funders and charities, it can truly tackle some of the most entrenched and growing social challenges that we face. This paper sets out how to make that happen.
Farage pledges to halve international aid while inheritance tax could go to charity
Reform UK’s newly published manifesto has pledged to cut spending on overseas aid by half, claiming it would save £6bn.
In the party’s manifesto called Our Contract with You, the party says it will “cut foreign aid by 50%” and that “a major review is needed into the effectiveness of overseas aid”.
NPC dubs contracts for mental health charities ‘insufficient and insecure’
Funding given to mental health charities through commissioned contracts “undermines long-term sustainability and investment” according to a think tank.
There is a need to invest in adapting services and the funding climate limits this, it said.
How to help staff and volunteers embrace digital
Charity Digital offer top tips and practical guidance so that charities can ensure their staff and volunteers are making the most of tech.
Cumberland Council Newsletter
You can view Cumberland Council’s newsletter from 16/06/24 here, including:
- Voters urged to check they’re election ready before it’s too late
- Don’t miss out on free school meals
- Carlisle Southern Gateway project to start
Westmorland & Furness Council Newsletter
You can view Westmorland & Furness Council’s newsletter from 14/06/24 here, including:
- New funding available for community orchards
- Get involved in the Great Big Green Week 2024
- Summer Holiday Activity and Food programme launched
Labour Party pledges to partner with civil society in manifesto
The Labour Party has pledged to work in partnership with civil society on a range of issues if it wins the upcoming general election.
In its manifesto, published recently, the Labour Party said it would partner with civil society on protecting the environment, creating stronger animal welfare and seek advice from the sector on its plans for growth.
Five tips to save small charities money
From carrying out a price comparison to reducing energy use, here are some tips for small charities looking to navigate their way through the cost-of-living crisis.
Statement from Age UK Carlisle & Eden regarding future delivery of Age UK services in West Cumbria
Age UK Carlisle and Eden are saddened by the closure of Age UK West Cumbria and the gap in services this has created.
Although our priority is with the people of Carlisle and Eden, we are working with other agencies to provide vital services across Cumberland. We will endeavour to support the older people of West Cumbria to the best of our ability, however subject to resources this will primarily be limited to free Information and Advice / combatting poverty, Well@home – hospital discharge, and health and welfare calls. We are also liaising with Cumberland Council to support with sourcing and fitting prescription equipment, this will be an interim service until a new procurement contract is in place.
As things progress, we will keep all stakeholders informed of any new developments.
For more information contact:
Age UK Carlisle & Eden
Tel: 01228 536672
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/carlisleandeden/
Conservatives make gift aid and philanthropy pledges in manifesto
The Conservative Party has pledged to complete a gift aid review and work with charities to “unleash” philanthropy, if it wins the upcoming general election.
In its manifesto, published recently, the party also pledged to return aid spending to 0.7% of gross national income (GNI) “when fiscal circumstances allow”.
Business leaders invited to join the Cumbria Economic Growth Board
Cumberland and Westmorland and Furness Councils are recruiting local business leaders and representative bodies to join the brand-new Cumbria Economic Growth Board. This is part of the new arrangements which resulted in both local authorities assuming the functions and responsibilities of the Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership (CLEP).
The newly formed Economic Growth Board will provide a strong business voice in strategy development whilst ensuring that decisions are taken in the best interests for people and places in Cumbria. This is a fantastic opportunity to represent the views of local businesses as part of regional decision making. Applications are invited from wider public, private and voluntary sector partners with links to the wider business community and representatives of key economic growth sectors.
Find out more in this press release and view the job profile and apply here
Cumbria Women of the Year
The awards celebrate ordinary women from the county who go above and beyond for their communities or for a cause, from those that do charity work to those who help people in their community to those who clean the village hall in their spare time.
Nominations close on 30 June.
Click here to find out more and nominate
Regulator to clarify its requirements on paying fundraisers in code update
The Fundraising Regulator has said it plans to clarify its requirements around how fundraisers are paid when it consults on its redrafted code of practice for a final time later this year.
In a recent update, the regulator said that its three internal committees have approved its proposals to clarify its requirements on paying fundraisers after a public consultation last year.
NCVO appoints former cancer charity boss as president
Umbrella body NCVO has appointed former Breast Cancer Now chief executive Baroness Morgan as its president and Operation Black Vote founder Lord Woolley as its ambassador, with both starting their roles this month.
Cross-bench peer Morgan, who oversaw the mergers of three charities to form Breast Cancer Now, replaces Baroness Pitkeathley, who has served as NCVO’s president since 2017.
How to prevent founder’s syndrome
Charity founders do incredible work. But their personal attachment and connection can be a barrier to growth.
Explore founder’s syndrome and find out how to stop it from happening.
Why digital inaccessibility is everyone’s problem – and how to fix it
Are you aware of accessibility? Explore how everyone benefits from a more accessible digital world and what you can do to make it happen.
How to help LGTQIA+ employees feel welcome in the workplace with Minority Ethnic Communities
Did you know that LGBTQIA+ are more likely to experience mental health problems?
The month of June is Pride Month, a month dedicated to celebrating LGBTQ+ communities all around the world. In celebration, Mind have shared an online resource and toolkit. Mind are available all year round for anyone, but Pride is a special time to celebrate, protest and to reflect, and that includes workplaces.
This toolkit includes some resources that can support you in making your workplace inclusive for all.
UK Social Enterprise Awards now open
The UK Social Enterprise Awards are now open with 15 categories to help capture and celebrate the breadth, diversity and impact of the social enterprise community.
A highlight in the social enterprise calendar, the awards recognise organisations for their business excellence and contribution to society, as well as celebrating the incredible individuals who work at the heart of the social enterprise movement.
Vary gift aid by region to give deprived areas greater tax break, think tank proposes
The next government should vary gift aid by region so donations can help boost deprived areas, a think tank has argued.
It says a variable gift aid policy, or alternative tax incentive, would enable charities working in deprived areas to be given a greater tax break than those in more advantaged areas.
Cumberland Council Newsletter
You can view Cumberland Council’s newsletter from 09/06/24 here, including:
- National Volunteers’ Week
- Information on the upcoming elections
- Celebrate Big Green Week
Westmorland & Furness Council Newsletter
You can view Westmorland & Furness Council’s newsletter from 07/06/24 here, including:
- Call for more community volunteers in Westmorland and Furness
- Information for the General Election on Thursday 4 July 2024
- Council Cabinet approves five year Strategic Asset Management Strategy
A simple guide for managing charity volunteers
Take a look at how charities can manage volunteers, using volunteer management systems to reward their contributions and keep them engaged.
Charities asked for views on final international accounting standards draft
Charities have been invited to share their views on the final draft of the world’s first international accounting standards.
In May, the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) and Humentum released the third exposure draft of the international non-profit accounting guidance (INPAG) for non-profit organisations (NPOs).
How to stay cyber secure with volunteers
Explore how charities can strengthen their cyber security while working with volunteers, with help from the National Cyber Security Centre.
New government resilience website
A new government resilience website has been launched, providing individuals, households and communities with information to enable them to be more prepared in emergencies.
The information on the site is designed to help you prepare for emergencies, be more informed about hazards, and get involved in activities to support yourself and your community before, during and after an emergency. There is also specific advice for disabled persons and carers.
Charity sector bodies call on next government to establish ‘civil society charter’
NCVO and ACEVO have called on the next government to establish a “civil society charter” to help charities work more effectively with government.
A joint manifesto by the membership bodies urges all political parties in the lead-up to the general election to consider developing a civil society engagement strategy to support the charter, underpinned by cross-government collaboration.
The complete guide to charity shops
What is a charity shop, how can they be successful, and are charity shops moving online? Explore these key questions and so much more.
Cumberland Council Newsletter
You can view Cumberland Council’s newsletter from 02/06/24 here, including:
- Key information on the upcoming elections
- Age UK West Cumbria
- Shortlist for SMR production sites
Westmorland & Furness Council Newsletter
You can view Westmorland & Furness Council’s newsletter from 31/05/24 here, including:
- Public asked to share views on residential services for adults
- Reading Champion Volunteers needed!
- New Member of Youth Parliament elected
Cumberland Council Newsletter
You can view Cumberland Council’s newsletter from 24/05/24 here, including:
- Sound installation at Whitehaven Harbour
- West Road at Thirlmere reopens
- Harraby North ward election for Cumberland Council
How to navigate a general election
With a UK general election looming around the corner, Charity Digital share some resources to help charities campaign effectively and within the rules.
Charity leaders urged to ‘campaign with confidence’ as Sunak calls general election
Civil society leaders have been encouraged to “campaign with confidence” after prime minister Rishi Sunak yesterday evening called a general election.
Sunak announced outside 10 Downing Street that a general election will be held on 4 July, and that King Charles has agreed to dissolve parliament on 30 May.
Westmorland & Furness Council Newsletter
You can view Westmorland & Furness Council’s newsletter from 24/05/24 here, including:
- Have you thought about volunteering?
- Still time to have your say on all things nature in your local area!
- Windermere Ferry back in action following inspection success
Next government must not leave rural charities behind
Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE) is urging politicians of all persuasions not to forget the needs and circumstances of people living and working in the countryside in the run up to the general election.
The charity claims that for too long, governments have overlooked the challenges that rural residents face, including diminishing public services, inadequate infrastructure, and housing which has become increasingly unaffordable resulting in hidden poverty and ageing communities.
ACRE has set out a suite of policy recommendations for the next government which you can read here
Save money on your energy bills with the VCSE Energy Efficiency Scheme
- Are you a micro, small or medium organisation in England with energy concerns?
- Are you directly supporting individuals or communities with critical needs, such as providing food, shelter, emergency supplies, advice or health support?
- Would you like to ‘future-proof’ your building and energy bills?
If you’ve answered ‘yes’ to the above, you may be eligible for support from the VCSE Energy Efficiency Scheme.
Applications for independent energy assessments close on Thursday 20 June.
Age UK West Cumbria ceases operations
Formal media communication:
“Age UK West Cumbria has faced a number of financial challenges and unfortunately the Board of Trustees have made the difficult decision to cease operating after Friday 31st May 2024 meaning that the Charity is no longer able to continue offering services to older people across West Cumbria.
“We are sad and disappointed that it has come to this. As you would expect our number one priority is how we can now best support older people in the area and we are now looking at the best way this can be achieved locally.
“We are mindful that this news will be upsetting for the older people that we support, as well as our staff, volunteers and stakeholders.
“We have contacted everyone that will be affected by this news and will continue to update beneficiaries, staff and volunteers. In the meantime, anyone with any concerns can contact Age UK West Cumbria on 01900 844670. Any older person of their families looking for help can also contact the Age UK national advice line on 0800 055 6112.”
NLCF Announces ‘Largest Expansion in National Lottery Funding in 30 Years’
The National Lottery Community Fund (NLCF), the largest community funder in the UK, has published its new Corporate Plan covering the next three years (2024 -2027). The plan sets out ‘ambitious targets’ to deliver on its strategy to support what matters most to communities across the UK.
The NLCF aims to distribute at least a further £4 billion by 2030 to support activities that create resilient communities that are more inclusive and environmentally sustainable – activities that will strengthen society and improve lives across the UK.
Penrith Lottery: Supporting Local Good Causes
The Penrith Lottery is a lottery for the people, by the people. It’s a fun way to help good causes in Penrith and throughout the Eden Valley without giving up precious time.
If you are a charitable or not for profit organisation looking at ways to generate funding for income or capital projects go no further than the Penrith Lottery.
Organisations receive their own lottery page with no set up coats, full marketing support and great prizes with a weekly jackpot of £25,000.
For more information and how to register click here
£1,000 available for families facing hardship in West Cumbria
West Cumbrian families in financial hardship can apply to a new fund for up to £1,000 towards their everyday living costs.
The Family Support Fund was set up thanks to funding from Sellafield Ltd as part of its Social impact multiplied (SiX) programme, administered by Cumbria Community Foundation. The aim of the fund is to provide financial support to vulnerable families in most need with the cost of essentials.
Surveys, Research, Feedback and Reports
Report reveals untapped giving potential among UK Christians
Unlocking the latent giving potential among practising Christians in the UK could release thousands more per person every year for charitable causes, according to new research.
Christian charity Stewardship commissioned Whitestone Insight to look at the gap between current and potential levels of generosity and better understand the UK Christian giving landscape.
Most charities unprepared to adopt AI effectively and safely, survey finds
The majority of charities are not ready to effectively and safely adopt artificial intelligence (AI), according to a new survey.
Charity Excellence recently published the findings of its first charity AI benchmarking survey, which collected the views of 378 individuals including trustees, chief executives and volunteers between May and June.
Disability, long-term illness and financial wellbeing
Previous research has shown that financial wellbeing is lower among people with disabilities or long-term health conditions. This Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) study examines how this varies for people with different types of disability or condition.
It finds that financial wellbeing varies considerably between people with different types of disability. It also finds that within the disabled population, wellbeing is lowest for women, single parents, unemployed people and those living in deprived areas.
Understanding potential chairs’ motivations ‘crucial’ to addressing recruitment challenges
Charities need to better understand the motivations of potential chairs, especially those of the younger generations, if they are to tackle recruitment challenges, according to new research.
The Future Charity Chair: A research project, released this month by Bayes Business School’s Centre for Charity Effectiveness, surveyed 61 chairs and 23 support organisation representatives from charities in England and Wales between July 2023 and February 2024.
Family Help Partnership Strategy consultation for professionals
Westmorland and Furness Council is consulting on its new Family Help Partnership strategy. This is the first Family Help Partnership Strategy since becoming a new council in April 2023.
The strategy provides a framework for their work at early help level which is grounded in the belief that early intervention and prevention are essential to promoting positive outcomes for children and families. This survey will close at 5pm on 31 August 2024.
Social enterprises differ based on class background of leadership, research finds
There are “notable disparities” between social enterprises led by those who are privately educated and those who have lived experience of social issues, according to newly published research.
Researchers from the London School of Economics and Social Enterprise UK found no significant relationship between social enterprises accessing funding or finance and whether or not leadership are privately educated or have lived experience of social issues.
Concerns raised over Charity Governance Code charging proposal
Sector experts have expressed concern after a potential charge for using the Charity Governance Code was proposed.
A survey running to 11 August asks whether charities would be “willing to pay a small fee, based on your organisation’s size, to use the code”.
How charities engage with Minority Ethnic Communities
What do you picture when asked to visualise an average UK charity donor? Having a typical image in your mind isn’t necessarily wrong – after all, your charity might claim certain demographics as key supporters. What’s important, however, is not to let fundraising success with certain demographics give you tunnel vision when you’re next coming up with a fundraising or brand strategy.
Connecting with minority ethnic groups can be a challenge, but this online research from nfpResearch is designed to help you understand how to better engage with these audiences.
Whose vote counts in UK elections?
Recently, IPPR North set out to analyse every election since 1964. Analysis found that since the 1960’s, the turnout gap between rich and poor, homeowners and renters, old and young, the university educated and the not, the upper class and the working class has grown wider and wider.
This report looks at how power and influence are distributed unequally across our society. It argues that the next wave of democratic reform should be guided by the principle of political equality.
VCSE Barometer Survey – latest wave report published
With findings that are shared quarterly, the VCSE Barometer Survey builds insight into real-time trends, changes and challenges in the UK voluntary, community and social enterprise sector.
May 2024’s Barometer report ‘Present Struggles, Past Origins: Current Challenges in Volunteering Amidst Two Decades of Decline’ has now been published, analysing the latest trends in volunteering.
62% of people rate door-to-door fundraising experience negatively, regulator finds
Some 62% of people have rated their most recent experience of door-to-door fundraising negatively in response to a new survey from the Fundraising Regulator.
In response to the survey of more than 3,000 adults in the UK, 60% said they would be unlikely to engage with door-to-door fundraising in the future, while half said they would be less likely to support charities in general again because of it.
Expanded workplace volunteering would benefit charities and businesses, says report
NCVO has said that workplace volunteering schemes create “an invaluable opportunity for charities” to meet their recruitment challenges as a new report claims it would also benefit employers.
Pro Bono Economic’s report found that participation in a workplace volunteering scheme created an average reduction in absence of around 0.9 days per year for each member of staff that volunteered.
‘Perennial challenges’ reported as most charities still struggle to recruit volunteers
Over half of charities are continuing to find volunteer recruitment difficult, with almost double compared to last spring reporting the commitment is too big for volunteers, according to a new survey.
Some 61% of charities reported difficulty recruiting volunteers in response to the latest survey by Nottingham Trent University’s VCSE Data and Insights National Observatory and Pro Bono Economics (PBE).
Smaller charities ‘underfunded and overlooked’ by commissioners, says report
Grassroots charities are routinely overlooked for public contracts and grants despite being better placed than their larger counterparts to deliver them, according to a think tank’s new report.
The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) reported that commissioners tend to award contracts to larger, national charities that have the resources to secure funding and raise their profile but lack the knowledge and expertise of delivery in local areas.
Most charity staff suffer from anxiety due to their work, union survey finds
The vast majority of charity and not-for-profit staff experience anxiety, tiredness and trouble sleeping due to their work, according to a newly published survey by a worker’s union.
In response to a Unite survey of 1,891 sector employees in December, 69% of workers said they suffered from anxiety due to their work, while 68% reported continual tiredness and 66% sleeplessness.
Regional Quality Strategy
The Integrated Care Board (ICB) has started to develop a region-wide Quality Strategy to support and build on the work already underway to develop a positive culture of safety, openness and learning across health and care in the North East and North Cumbria.
They are keen to hear from organisations across the VCSE sector who are working in health and care to gain feedback on the draft strategy through this online stakeholder survey. You can read the draft strategy here.
Alternatively, if you don’t wish to complete the survey, please feel free to email David Purdue, Chief Nurse, AHP and People Officer at david.purdue@nhs.net with your comments.
Majority of grassroots charities report negative impact from cost-of-living crisis
Just over 85% of grassroots charities said their income had been negatively affected by the cost-of-living crisis, according to the results of a new survey.
Easyfundraising’s survey results show that 86% of grassroots charities and causes said the impact of the economic crisis had worsened in 2023.
Small charities hit hardest by volunteering falling to record low, say researchers
Small charities are being most greatly affected by the rates of formal volunteering dipping to an all-time low, according to new analysis.
According to Pro Bono Economics’ (PBE) analysis of the latest VCSE Sector Barometer survey, four in 10 charities say their number of volunteers has been insufficient to meet their main objectives in the last 12 months.
Charities invited to give feedback on Charity Governance Code
The Charity Governance Code has launched a public consultation in an effort to refresh it for the first time in four years, including a question on whether charities would be willing to pay for it.
Last updated in 2020, the code is a practical tool which aims to support charities and their trustees in developing high standards of governance.
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.
