Useful information – w/c 05/05/25
May 6, 2025
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 the week. Please check back regularly. (Last update: 07/05/25 – 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 previous Useful Information posts here to catch up on our archive of information.
For useful resources, information, news and events, 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
Supercharge your use of social media
6th May, online. This course aims, in just three hours, to supercharge your use of social media. We’ll explore how you can pick the right platforms for your charity and how to know whether you should invest, or divest, in other platforms.
We’ll show you how to increase social media engagement, how to extend your reach, and how to ensure you target the most rewarding demographics.
Leaders Together 2025 – Annual National Conference
8th May, Online. Can we do more with less in the Charity Sector, and more importantly, should we?
In today’s challenging landscape, charity leaders are faced with the daunting task of navigating reduced resources while striving to meet increasing demands. Resourceful Leadership, a virtual conference from Leaders Together, aims to address this critical issue by exploring innovative strategies and thoughtful approaches to doing more with less.
The annual national conference will be an engaging and thought-provoking event designed specifically for small charity CEOs and leaders. The conference will feature a keynote address, three concurrent interactive workshops and a panel discussion.
GDPR and Data Security
Tues 13 May, online. Who is trying to access your data and what are the implications of this?
Also, what can you do to make it more difficult for people to steal your data.
AI For Charities: What You Need To Know
13th May 2025, online. Join Qlic IT for their upcoming webinar on AI for charities.
Discover how nonprofits are already using AI, which tools are worth exploring, and how to get started in a safe, ethical, and cost-effective way.
Perfect for charity leaders, managers, and anyone curious about using AI to do more with less, no technical background required.
[NEW] Making the most of M365 apps – tips and tricks
13th May, online. This three-hour session shows you how to master 365 apps. The first section will cover an overview of the apps available. It will explore web vs desktop applications, the joys of Copilot, the best way to use Microsoft Forms, and the secrets of Sway.
The second section is dedicated to Teams, exploring meeting and channel management, file storage, whiteboards and polls, and so much more.
[NEW] Menopause in the Workplace: Supporting Employees Through Change
14th May 2025, online. This session provides guidance on how organisations can better support employees experiencing menopause, a natural phase of life often misunderstood or overlooked.
This training offers practical advice on how to create a supportive environment that considers physical, emotional, and social factors while reducing stigma. By understanding menopause, participants will learn how to provide appropriate support and accommodations that benefit both the individual and the broader workplace.
[NEW] Cumbria Sustainability Network | Citizen Influence: Shaping local climate and nature policies
Saturday 17th May, Carlisle.How do we get our voices heard and ensure that planners and policy-makers understand our concerns about the future for climate and nature?
Find out more about the recommendations from the Cumbria Climate Assembly and gain practical tools for getting your voice heard.
The event will profile the recommendations of the first Cumbria Climate Assembly which has brought together a diverse group of 40 randomly selected people from across the county to answer the question: ‘Many people in Cumbria feel unheard and unable to influence those who make decisions on climate change action. What can be done about this?’
How to manage charity finances
20 May, online. This course aims, in just three hours, to help you make sense of your finances. It provides a simple, straightforward, 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.
Webinar – A guide to co-producing services with users
22nd May, online. This webinar will shine a light on the process of co-production, with Mind in Camden CEO, Jon Higgs, exploring practical examples, discussing remote co-design, clarifying service design funding, and so much more.
We will discuss how the ability to meet users’ needs means being able to focus a charity’s efforts to achieve deeper impact in the ways that matter most.
Charity Digital Academy: How to master strategic planning
28th May – 4th June 2025, online. Master your long term planning with this two part course
Our course, in two three-hour sessions, inspires charities to embrace long-term planning. The course will allow you to think strategically, understand the importance of charity governance, develop an in-depth strategic plan, understand the tensions that arise between operational and strategic priorities, keep your strategic plan on track, and so much more.
Getting to work on Modern Slavery in Cumbria
Thursday 29 May, Penrith. Our keynote is from Causeway who provide a range of services which support survivors of modern slavery to recover from trauma, be protected from further harm, and develop safe and fulfilling lives.
They receive referrals from the Salvation Army, who are the government contract holders for adult victims of modern slavery in England & Wales.
[NEW] Charity Digital Academy: Practical uses of AI for your charity
3rd June, online. This course aims, in just three hours, to boost your everyday use of AI.
The course takes a hands-on, practical approach, showing charities how to use AI to improve meetings, boost email marketing, smash data analytics, enhance workflow efficiency, and so much more.
How to use Canva for Social Media
Monday 9 June, online. Canva is the great free-to-use online graphic design tool which you can use to create great graphics as well as presentations and videos amongst other things.
This is an introductory session about Canva with a few tips about using it for social media.
Reimagining Service Delivery Summit
12 June, online. A free online event for charity professionals to unlock new perspectives on service delivery and help maximise value to service users.
Whether you’re a charity leader or a volunteer, working in service delivery, fundraising, or marketing, this event will have something for you. Sessions will help you re-evaluate the relationship between charities and their service users, consider how digital can help charity services go further, and make more room for hope and optimism in service delivery for meaningful change.
Find out more and register here
[NEW] Introduction to Improving Quality
Thurs 12th June 2025, online. Improving Quality is a clear, simple system, and focuses on the key issues that make a difference for charities.
IQ can either be used for self-assessment or accreditation, and has international recognition: a number of organisations in the UK and the Republic of Ireland are already accredited to it.
Introduction to Engaging with Businesses: Five Things I Wish I’d Known
Tuesday 17 June, online. A basic introduction to engaging and connecting with your local business community.
This session is aimed at small charities and voluntary groups, whether they are at the beginning of their journey in engaging with businesses or wish to develop stronger contacts.
Reserves – What They Are and How to Calculate Them
Tuesday 8 July, online. Reserves are a critical element when building small charity resilience. However, they are often, for very valid reasons, miscalculated.
The session will look at Why we hold reserves, how to calculate reserves, what a good reserves policy looks like and how to report on reserves.
VCFSE News and Information
[NEW] Treasury launches consultation on new VAT relief for business donations
The Treasury has opened a consultation on plans to introduce a new VAT relief on goods that businesses donate to charities.
Its consultation proposes a new tax relief on eligible goods that charities give away free or use in the delivery of their services.
The Treasury said it recognises that the current VAT rules, which relieve VAT on goods donated to charity for sale but not onward donation or the delivery of services, “aren’t aligned”.
[NEW] Charities welcome government plans for new debanking protections
Charity sector bodies have welcomed the government’s announcement of new protections against bank accounts being closed with limited notice or reasons given.
Banks will be required to give customers 90 days’ notice before closing accounts and provide a clear explanation, under new rules announced by the Treasury last month.
The rule change, which will be subject to parliamentary approval, is due to come into force from 28 April next year and will increase mandatory notice periods from two months.
[NEW] Voluntary trusteeship is ‘no barrier to diversity’, commission CEO tells conference
The Charity Commission’s chief executive has told an event that voluntary trusteeship has proven to be “no barrier to diversity” and that it must be protected as “the linchpin of public trust in charity”.
David Holdsworth’s speech at last month’s Trustee Exchange conference, organised by Civil Society, followed a panel discussion in which some called for trustee payments to attract more diverse board members.
Referring to the debate, Holdsworth said: “While we heard some cogent arguments in favour of paying trustees at the panel today, to my mind, none can truly stand up to what is actually at stake here.”
[NEW] Large charity retailers considering closing shops amid ‘tough times’, CRA reports
Some larger members of the Charity Retail Association (CRA) are considering following in Scope’s footsteps and significantly reducing their shop estate, the trade organisation has said.
Charity retailers told CRA that “this is the worst time for trading they have ever encountered” and shop estates would “unlikely come out of this 100% unscathed”.
In a blog, CRA’s directors wrote: “We’ve already seen a significant reduction in the shop estate of one of our most experienced and sizable members – Scope – and anecdotally we’re aware that there are others of our larger members in particular who are considering similar action.
[NEW] ‘Slimmed down’ fundraising code alters rules on paying fundraisers
The Fundraising Regulator has published its “slimmed down” fundraising code, which alters some of the standards for charities on paying professional fundraisers.
The new Code of Fundraising Practice, which is 45% shorter than the current code, was issued last month by the regulator and will come into force on 1 November.
It has replaced instructions for charities not to pay fundraisers “excessive amounts” or by commission in most cases with a broader direction to “give appropriate consideration to the approach you choose for paying fundraisers and whether this fits the values of your charitable institution”.
[NEW] The best resources to help charities with their services
A list of useful resources to support your charity in service delivery, including how to use digital, support wellbeing, manage important relationships with service users, and so much more.
[NEW] Investing in Community Services for Young Men’s Mental Health
In the past five years, young people’s mental health has declined nationally.
Suicide rates are disproportionally high for men, but little is known about how young men seek mental health support. This briefing outlines the findings from a new study of young men, mental health and community services.
[NEW] NCVO chief executive to step down and lead Shelter
Sarah Elliott will leave her role as chief executive of umbrella body NCVO to lead housing and homeless charity Shelter in September, the organisations have announced.
Elliott has led NCVO since 2021 after being promoted from her previous role as its director of membership and engagement.
She took over from Karl Wilding, initially on an interim basis, who left after 18 months to make way for a new CEO to lead “necessary cultural change” at the umbrella body.
[NEW] Commission warns charities of negative reaction to paying trustees in new guidance
The Charity Commission has published new guidance on paying trustees, which continues to emphasise the voluntary principle of the role.
After consulting charities and sector bodies, the commission has redesigned its CC11 guidance to make it easier to use.
It continues to stress that charities must consider all other options before agreeing to pay a trustee and that they must manage the resulting conflict of interest.
[NEW] How to prioritise wellbeing at work
From setting boundaries to getting out in nature, here are some tips to help charity professionals look after their mental health in 2025.
[NEW] Global majority voluntary sector leadership programme launches
A leadership programme to support global majority leaders within the voluntary and community sectors has been launched by the Open University (OU) and funder the Henry Smith Charity.
The programme involves the OU’s centre for voluntary sector leadership and its business school’s centres of research, which supports the sector.
Launched in April, it will see “six learning hubs” created in Glasgow, Belfast, Cardiff, Liverpool, Bristol and London and involve 55 leadership trainees.
[NEW] Making Every Contact Count (MECC) – resources and training
The MECC Gateway is an online health and wellbeing conversation and signposting tool featuring health information, community activities and services across the North East and North Cumbria, funded by our Integrated Care System.
It’s free to use for individuals working and volunteering in the region who want to have access to trusted health information and services to help them help others to make positive changes to their physical and mental health and wellbeing. MECC as an approach also helps support our regional health services in delivering key messages to people to improve the health of our communities.
Surveys, Research, Feedback and Reports
[NEW] Charity Shops Survey 2025 opens
Now in its 34th year, the survey provides essential benchmarking information and analysis of key charity retail trends and performance figures.
Participants in this year’s survey will be entered into a prize draw to win a £100 John Lewis voucher.
[NEW] New NFP Research Report shows youth volunteering is rising and older people’s is falling
The new report: ‘Time for Good’ pulls together some of the threads and trends for the current demographic profile of volunteers, as well as analysing recent initiatives, and setting out some hallmarks of good practice for individual charities.
It states that that it is the under 35s where volunteering is growing, and it is the over 55s where volunteering is on the most decline. In particular, it is the over 65s where volunteering is on the fastest decline.
You can download the report for free here
[NEW] Funders urged to increase support for criminal justice charities
Funders have been encouraged to do more to help charities in the criminal justice sector, with smaller organisations facing particular funding challenges.
A report, published last month by think tank NPC and commissioned by the Lloyds Bank Foundation, analyses funding in the criminal justice sector.
Its research found that almost all statutory funding goes to larger charities, while only 3% of total income goes to criminal justice charities working with specific groups.
[NEW] Small charities facing ‘broken’ funding systems, NCVO report warns
Small charities are facing “broken” funding systems, a new report by NCVO has warned.
More than 300 charities with an income below £1m that responded to NCVO’s survey ranked funding as their primary concern, with many struggling to secure core, unrestricted, and multi-year funding.
The Power of Small report, published today by the umbrella body, warns that “short-term funding cycles create instability, forcing organisations to continuously seek new sources of financial support”.
[NEW] Lack of diversity and legal expertise on charity boards, regulator’s research finds
Charity trustee boards fail to represent the diversity of the wider population while some lack legal skills, according to a new report from the Charity Commission and Pro Bono Economics.
The research, published last month, is based on the most comprehensive survey ever undertaken of trustee motivations and skills, conducted between July and August last year.
It found a lack of diversity among trustees, with younger people and those from ethnic minority backgrounds underrepresented, but with greater gender parity than previously.
[NEW] Women’s and girls’ charities overwhelmed by surging demand, report warns
Women’s and girls’ charities are struggling to meet increasing demand for their services, a new report has warned.
The vast majority of women’s and girls’ charities (91%) that responded to research by think tank Pro Bono Economics (PBE) and funder Rosa described increased demand for their services.
This exceeds the proportion of charities generally experiencing greater need for their services, 65% according to PBE’s separate analysis of the VCSE Sector Barometer Survey 2024.
[NEW] Government publishes its latest Cyber Security Breaches Survey findings
The Department for Science, Innovation & Technology and the Home Office have released the results of their Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2025. They gathered responses between August and December 2024 from businesses and charities of different sizes, with the questionnaire covering phishing events, malicious software, and other unwanted digital activities.
One of the most important findings in this year’s survey is the rise in breaches that stop organisations from working properly – such as losing access to files, systems or third-party services. 5% of charities reported losing access to third-party services as the result of a cyber attack, up from 1% in the previous year.
You can read the full findings on the Government website
[NEW] Children and young people’s social prescribing – an emerging vision
In their new report the National Academy for Social Prescribing (NASP) explores the role that social prescribing can play in supporting children and young people’s mental health.
‘Connected To Thrive’ is based on extensive consultation with youth and mental health organisations, NHS leaders, Link Workers, researchers and experts, as well as young people themselves.
It sets out an ambitious plan for the future, in which far more children, young people and families would receive tailored, community-based support for the social factors affecting their mental health – from loneliness to family problems to homelessness or addiction.
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.
