Useful information – w/c 13/10/25
October 13, 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: 16/10/25 – 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 and news? Check out Focus on Funding here
Training and Events
Strategic Plans
Tues 14th October, online. Strategic plans are one of the key documents as an organisation starts to grow, especially in the current climate where organisations have to search wider for funding.
A good strategic plan helps keep an organisation grounded in its work and should help prevent mission drift.
How to manage charity finances
14th October, 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.
The first session is based around budgeting. It will look at how charities can keep finances under control, avoid poor decision-making, and promote long-term viability. The second session digs a little deeper, exploring income diversification, cash flow control, and internal and external reporting. And there will be plenty of time to ask questions and discuss issues relevant to your own organisation.
Association of Volunteer Managers conference
15th and 16th October, online. Tickets for the Association of Volunteer Managers (AVM) annual conference.
The role of volunteer managers is ever evolving, and this year’s conference will provide delegates with the opportunity to delve into key aspects of our profession, providing the opportunity to gain insights from leading voices and learn about best practices alongside peers from across the sector.
Find out more and get your ticket here
Individual Giving Conference
16th October, online. Join us at the Individual Giving Conference for the vital tools and insights you need to supercharge donor acquisition, boost retention, and gain clarity on the future of individual giving.
Experience live Q&As, dynamic panel discussions, and compelling case studies featuring global experts and innovative leaders. They’ll share how they’re diversifying their individual giving programmes to break free from decline and drive real results – and how you can do it too.
Charity Commission investigations – a practical overview
16th October, online. The Charity Commission is undertaking an increasing number of investigations into charities. Last year, the Commission opened 25% more statutory inquiries than the previous year and increased its use of inquiry powers by 60%.
This webinar will be looking at the Charity Commission’s investigatory processes and powers, drawing on Bates Wells’ practical experience of advising on some of the most significant Charity Commission investigations in recent years.
Clinks training: Build confidence in the criminal justice system
If you or your team support people in the criminal justice system, Clinks offers practical workshops to boost knowledge, confidence, and safe practice. They have sessions coming up on:
Navigating the criminal justice system – Thursday 16 October, online. Book here.
Working and volunteering in prisons – Wednesday 22 October, online. Book here.
Explore Clinks’ full training offer here
New Social Media Platforms
20th October, online. In the rapidly evolving digital landscape, new social media platforms are emerging as tools for the not-for-profit sector.
Find out which platforms are being used the most and the benefits and drawbacks of each.
Data Protection Training for Charities
21st October, online. It is important for every charity leader to ensure their organisation is fully compliant with the latest data protection regulations.
This half-day course will guide you through the key points to consider and what measures you should have in place. You will also learn how to avoid some common data protection pitfalls.
Getting started with Google for Nonprofits
21st October, online. This course provides an introduction to the Google for Nonprofits program, which offers eligible UK charities free access to a suite of Google tools, including Google Workspace, Google Ad Grants (a grant of up to $10,000), the YouTube Nonprofit Program, and Google Earth and Maps.
Explore these tools and find out how UK charities are already using them to enhance their operations and impact.
[NEW] Free resource: Community Planning Guides
The Town and Country Planning Association is launching a new suite of Community Planning Guides on 21st October from 7-8pm in a free webinar! These resources showcase what community groups are doing to tackle the effects of climate change, including flood risk, overheating and retrofit. They show what is possible and provide useful ideas, advice and links.
This free webinar will give an overview of the project and provide communities with an opportunity to understand the planning system. You’ll hear from speakers working to enable community action including Local Trust, The National Flood Forum and Shade the UK.
Making the most of M365 apps – tips and tricks
22nd October, 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.
Anti Racist Cumbria ‘Community Conversation’ Workshop: An Introduction to anti-racism
22nd October, Barrow. Why is it we find it difficult to talk about racism?
If we don’t have the conversations, how can we take the opportunities to challenge for change? These workshops support us to reframe what might seem like a ‘difficult conversation’ and resourcing ourselves to recognise it as a ‘Courageous one.’
Get in touch to register or for more information: niall@antiracistcumbria.org or 07979 551999
Flyer for the event series here
Cyber Security Month Q&A
23rd October, online. Understanding the ins and outs of cyber security can feel daunting. There’s so much information and it’s changing all the time, as technology develops and tactics change. That’s where we come in.
Whether you’re looking to update your software or protect your charity more effectively in 2025, Charity Digital’s upcoming live Q&A session is the perfect place to get expert advice.
Expert partner, Paul from GenDigital/Avast will give you a walk-through of the cyber security tools available to you, and answer any questions you have around cyber security.
How to create effective video content using your phone for charities
Thursday 23rd October, Online. Does your charity want to start creating video content but don’t know where to start? Join two of The Saltways team for a free 60 minute practical workshop for charities.
You will learn how to plan your films to get the best results possible, technical tips on how to improve your footage and sound, and have an introduction into editing and how to build a campaign around your film.
Baked in, not bolted on: Local Authorities embedding digital inclusion
23th October, online. As part of Get Online Week 2025, Good Things Foundation and the Local Government Association are highlighting how councils are embedding digital inclusion into everyday services.
This virtual event will showcase practical examples—from Hull’s adult social care to Cornwall’s collaboration with Plymouth University—followed by short presentations and an interactive Q&A.
Risk Management for Trustees
24th October, online. In an era of increasing concern regarding liabilities, litigation, regulatory compliance and reputational risk, charities are coming under greater scrutiny than ever. Boardroom competency in identifying, managing and mitigating risk is now a required skill and trustees must be able to scrutinise their executive and professional advisors’ management of risk, as well as being able to apply the same tools and techniques to their own decision making.
This course is a non-technical introduction to risk and risk management designed to enable trustees to understand and manage risk generally, but with a focus on risks related to governance, employment, assets, service users and third parties.
By the end of the day, you will be better equipped to interact effectively with professional advisors and regulators, hold your executive to account, improve your own decision making and govern your organisation’s risk management activities.
Stakeholder Engagement Event – Supported Housing Strategy
Tuesday 28th October, Carlisle. The Cumberland Council housing team are pleased to invite you to a stakeholder engagement event to present the priorities we have identified for our forthcoming Supported Housing Strategy.
The priorities have been developed using evidence from the Supported Housing Study completed by Housing LIN last year.
This event will be held in the Cathedral Room at the Civic Centre in Carlisle, refreshments and lunch will be provided. Please reply to housing.developmentteam@cumberland.gov.uk no later than Tuesday 14 October 2025 to let us know whether you will be attending, and to advise of any dietary requirements that you have.
How to network in arts, culture and heritage
Tuesday 28th October, Online. Join HdK for this free webinar to find out how to network to build meaningful connections, foster collaboration, share resources and enhance opportunities within the arts sector.
Throughout the webinar, we will be welcoming questions from participants to ensure you are able to get the best possible information for you and your organisation.
Practical uses of AI for your charity
28th October, online. Artificial intelligence (AI) offers huge potential for charities. AI can revolutionise the everyday. It provides significant benefits, saving you time, cutting costs, reducing human error, supercharging operations, streamlining processes, and so much more. But such benefits are more often talked about than realised. Charities face a problem: putting AI into practice.
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.
Protect Duty (Martyn’s Law) Workshop
Thursday 30th October, online. Now the Protect Duty (Martyn’s law) has been passed by parliament many organisations are now going to have to work out how this affects them.
This workshop will look at what you have to do in the standard tier (buildings with a capacity between 200 and 799 people) to meet the legislation and also simple things to make your life easier. Some of the things are also sensible to consider for those buildings who are not in scope of the legislation.
Negotiating and Managing your Lease
Thursday 30th October, online. Understanding leases and managing landlord relationships can be challenging – let our experts guide you. Join the Ethical Property Foundation team and Sam Morris from Russell-Cooke Solicitors for a free, practical webinar.
Festival of Trusteeship
3rd – 7th November 2025, online. The Festival of Trusteeship is a week of inspiring discussions, practical tools and bold ideas to reimagine trusteeship. Led by Eastside People, this event is part of the Festival of Trusteeship during Trustees’ Week 2025, proudly supported by the Institute of Leadership.
With online events on topics including engaging younger people in trusteeship, how to build confidence as a trustee, and how to deal with times of crisis, this is a collection of events to inspire and inform your trustees.
Festival passes are available now, and lots of the events are free. Find out more here, and please share with your board and your local networks.
[NEW] Working with Men Affected by Domestic Abuse, Sexual Violence and Harmful Practices
Tuesday 4th November, 1230-1330, online. This 1-hour briefing will be delivered by, Luke Martin, Specialist Domestic and Sexual Abuse Consultant, Martin Training and Consultancy.
The session will provide a focused introduction to understanding and supporting male victims of domestic and abuse, sexual violence, and harmful practices. The session explores the unique barriers men face when seeking help, including issues around masculinity, stigma, and social expectations.
Participants will gain an understanding of the context, prevalence, and dynamics of abuse against men, as well as insight into how trauma manifests and how men may cope or respond to it. The briefing highlights the impact of patriarchal settings on men’s experiences of harmful practices and provides practical guidance on how to engage with and support male victims effectively.
Meeting ID: 326 836 067 140 9
Passcode: Vi7rg35a
Delivering energy advice in the community
Tuesday 4th November, online. Community organisations are well placed to provide trusted information and advice on energy in the community to support local residents to reduce their energy bills and carbon emissions in their homes.
This session will introduce why community-led energy advice and support is needed to tackle barriers to engagement, and support underserved and fuel poor communities as well as able-to-pay households.
The session will cover examples of energy advice activities, considerations and challenges to be aware of and options for funding and support.
Advanced Excel – tips and tricks
4th November, online. Join this 3 hour session to find out how to optimise your spreadsheets so they can do what they’re meant to be doing – saving you time, facilitating effective service delivery and enabling you and your team to get insight into the bigger picture.
This hands-on workshop will guide you through demos and practical exercises using a sample spreadsheet. Key features covered include:
- Smarter formulas that save you time
- Conditional formatting, data validation, and other techniques to keep your data tidy
- Using Pivot Tables to summarise and rearrange data
- Connect, clean & organise data from different sources using Power Query
Understanding Governance Stage 1: The Trustee Role
4th – 5th November, online. If you are new to the role of being a charity trustee, this course will provide the perfect introduction, while experienced trustees will also benefit from a refresher of their responsibilities and comprehensive updates on evolving elements of the trustee role.
How to master strategic planning
5th & 12th November, online. This 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.
Digital Fundraising Summit 2025
Thursday 6th November 2025, online. For the seventh year in a row, Charity Digital are bringing back their incredibly popular online FREE Digital Fundraising Summit.
The summit will be particularly beneficial if you have a fundraising, marketing, communications, or a digital innovation role, but that said there will be plenty for everyone! Sessions will be tailored for all charity sizes.
You can find out more information here
Supercharge your use of social media
11th November, 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.
We’ll delve into artificial intelligence (AI). The session will show you how AI can onboard new donors and increase donor lifetime value (LTW). On top of that, the session will explore ways to use AI for content creation, social media analysis, donor segmentation, and auditing your current work. The session, in simple terms, will revolutionise your use of social media.
Understanding Governance Stage 2: Governance in Practice
11th-12th November, online. Designed for experienced trustees, secure in their knowledge of the governance processes and what being a trustee entails, ‘Governance in Practice’ builds on the expertise gained from our stage 1 course ‘Understanding Governance: The Trustee Role,’ focusing on practical solutions to the challenges you face.
This course covers a wide range of governance issues and aims to help you improve the overall effectiveness of your board.
[NEW] Get involved: Eden Project’s Community Action Programme
Eden Project Communities is running their Community Action Programme, a series of engaging online courses and workshops to help people make a difference in their communities. Their next offering, Introduction to Community Action, is happening in November (Tuesdays 11th, 18th & 25th, 6:30–8:30pm). Applications close midnight, Monday 3rd November.
What you’ll get:
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- Expert-led interactive workshops on storytelling, leadership, and resource development
- Practical tools to grow your idea into action
- Chance to connect with peer networks and ongoing support
It’s ideal for anyone wanting to step into community work — especially those at the start of the journey or taking their first steps. While priority is given to those in unpaid roles or new to the programme, everyone with passion and potential is considered.
Want to learn more or apply? Check out the full details and eligibility criteria here.
[NEW] Levelling up: AI skills for charity communicators
13th November, online. According to the Charity Digital Skills Report, 58% of charities are looking for external support to find practical uses of AI in every day work.
Learn about the latest AI developments, techniques and tools for comms work. Curate your own conference experience by attending the sessions that are most relevant for you and your comms work.
When Social Media Goes Wrong
Monday 17th November, online. What should you do if you are subjected to trolling online? When social media goes wrong, it can have serious consequences for your organisation and individuals.
In such situations, it is important to act swiftly and thoughtfully to address the issue and mitigate any potential damage. This session will cover damage limitation strategies.
Get Your Charity Featured in the Media
17th – 18th November, online. Get your Charity Featured in the Media is a practical workshop for people in marketing and communications roles in charities who want to gain positive media coverage for their cause — even without prior media experience or big budgets.
Over the course of the session, you’ll learn how to craft and share stories that grab journalists’ attention, how to pitch them effectively, and how to turn coverage into long-term impact for your organisation.
Spotlight: the annual Bates Wells charity conference
18th November, online. The charity sector has faced its share of challenges in recent years and continues to do so. Join us online for Bates Wells’ annual charity conference to explore how the sector is innovating, adapting, and finding opportunity in the current landscape.
From modernising leadership through to philanthropy, regulation and charity law, we will hear from a range of changemakers including the Rt Hon David Miliband, President and CEO of International Rescue Committee, and charity leaders from the Runnymede Trust, ActionAid, and The Children’s Society. Check out our full panel line-ups below, with more speakers to be added in the coming weeks.
Come away feeling inspired and ready to move forward with your big ideas about the future of the sector.
The Art of Being an Effective Chair
18-19th November, online. The role of the chair of the board or a committee is more demanding and can be more complex than most people realise.
This course will help you to chair well and to ensure that board governs effectively and that board committees add value to the governance process. Scenarios and case studies help develop skills in practical ways.
Charity Digital Academy: Writing a Successful Funding Application
19th November, online. This 3 hour course provides a beginner’s guide to how to write a successful funding application, using the National Lottery Community Fund’s Awards For All online application form as an example.
Finance for Trustees
20th November, online. How confident are you that you really understand your charity’s finances? It’s a complicated business, what with managing different types of funds and income, the accounting and reporting rules, as well as dealing with tax and VAT.
This course, lead by the team from leading accountancy firm BDO, will give you the tools to get to grips with how all that works in your own organisation, and includes time to chat with fellow trustees over the practicalities and challenges you face.
16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence
25th November – 10th December. The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that begins on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and runs until 10 December, Human Rights Day.
We’re pleased to share this year’s programme of Lunch and Learn sessions, accessible to all those across the Partnership. Full information on how to book a place for each session is included in the attached document.
Managing Volunteers – The Nuts and Bolts
Tuesday 2nd December, online. Volunteers are a hugely important supplementary resource for charities. However, they must be supported and protected, and their contribution recognised.
This session summarises briefly the key elements and headline information your organisation must have in place to achieve this.
How to excel as a charity trustee
9th December, online. Trustees are the backbone of every charity. But excelling as a trustee can often feel difficult, with so many demands and often little support.
In just three hours, this course aims to give trustees the tools and confidence to excel. We will explore the responsibilities of trustees, the expectations of them, and the core skills trustees need. It will help to clear up misconceptions about responsibilities and the time commitment typically involved. We offer guidance as to how to attain any skills you might not possess.
The course is perfect for trustees and people interested in becoming trustees. The course provides a safe space to ask questions of the presenter and explore how you can improve.
Anti Racist Cumbria ‘Community Conversation’ Workshop: Difficult Conversations
11th December, Barrow. Why is it we find it difficult to talk about racism?
If we don’t have the conversations, how can we take the opportunities to challenge for change? These workshops support us to reframe what might seem like a ‘difficult conversation’ and resourcing ourselves to recognise it as a ‘Courageous one.’
Get in touch to register or for more information: niall@antiracistcumbria.org or 07979 551999
Flyer for the event series here
Anti Racist Cumbria ‘Community Conversation’ Workshop: Courageous Conversations
12th December, Barrow. Why is it we find it difficult to talk about racism?
If we don’t have the conversations, how can we take the opportunities to challenge for change? These workshops support us to reframe what might seem like a ‘difficult conversation’ and resourcing ourselves to recognise it as a ‘Courageous one.’
Get in touch to register or for more information: niall@antiracistcumbria.org or 07979 551999
Flyer for the event series here
VCFSE News and Information
[NEW] Charities must prepare workers for ‘seismic forces’ of AI, expert says
The charity sector must prepare its workforce for a future with artificial intelligence in it, a digital expert has said.
Speaking at NCVO’s online AGM this week, Charity AI Task Force chair Zoe Amar said that the future belonged to three groups of people: those who make AI tools, those able to use them successfully, and those whose roles cannot be replaced by the technology.
She said that the sector needed to decide where it will sit within these groups, as the “seismic forces” of AI will influence everything that charities do in future
Prime minister urged to act as charities report staff facing abuse
Sector leaders have signed a letter to prime minister Keir Starmer, warning that charity workers are facing abuse amid increasing “far-right activity” in the UK and urged his government to act.
More than 150 civil society representatives signed the letter, dated 29 September, which says that sector organisations working with migrant and other marginalised communities have faced threats of violence and attacks by the media.
It says the Civil Society Covenant, published in July to “reset” the relationship between the state and the sector, includes a pledge to create a fair, just and equitable society including the protection of human rights.
Charities fear electricity bills rise due to nuclear infrastructure levy
Charities have expressed concerns about their energy bills rising next month as a levy to fund future nuclear power projects is introduced.
Social Investment Business (SIB) estimated that charities with buildings could see their bills rise by up to £240 a year on average, with some paying thousands of pounds more.
From 1 November, all electricity suppliers will have to pay a nuclear regulated asset base (RAB) charge that will be based on their market share and recovered from customers.
Charity retailers report generating less profits for their cause due to NICs changes
Changes to employers’ national insurance contributions (NICs) are stifling charity shops’ ability to raise money for their parent charities, sector retailers have said.
Respondents to the Charity Shops Survey 2025, published in the October issue of Charity Finance, said the changes have increased their wage bills and therefore reduced their shops’ profitability.
Retailers have been affected by both an increase in the NICs rate (from 13.8% to 15%) and a reduction in the earnings threshold (from £9,100 to £5,000), which has brought more part-time shops staff into its scope.
Explore the new ‘People’s Hub’ – led by our local NHS Integrated Care Board
The Integrated Care Board (ICB) for the North East and North Cumbria has just launched a new ‘People’s Hub’.
The People’s Hub is a website full of information about how you can get involved and make a difference to health and care in our region. By joining the People’s Hub, you can help to influence decisions made by the North East and North Cumbria ICB.
As a People’s Hub member, you can take part as much or as little as you want – choosing the issues and subjects that interest you.
Five ways charities can navigate LinkedIn
LinkedIn offers a whole lot more than recruitment.
Here are five ways your charity can benefit from using LinkedIn, from promoting your mission to improving collaboration.
Cumberland Council newsletter
You can read Cumberland Council’s newsletter from 10/10/25 here, including:
- Cumberland Council devolution debate
- Active Cumbria Publishes 2024–25 Annual Report: A Year of Collaboration
- Community event in Braithwaite
Westmorland and Furness Council newsletter
You can read Westmorland and Furness Council’s newsletter from 10/10/25 here, including:
- Council announces appointment of new Chief Executive
- Council stands against hate in communities
- Councillors endorse ‘minded to’ consent to devolution decision
Surveys, Research, Feedback and Reports
[NEW] Recruitment and retention issues impacting shops’ income targets, report charity retailers
Ongoing challenges in staff recruitment and retention are impacting charity retailers’ income targets, according to new research.
The Charity Shops Survey 2025, published in the October issue of Charity Finance, finds that charity retailers have faced “significant” challenges in this area over the past 12 months.
Several respondents cited difficulties in finding “high-quality staff with retail experience”, while others said it had been particularly difficult to recruit shop managers.
[NEW] Have your say and complete the industry-leading investment survey for the charity sector
BNY Investments Newton are grateful to many of the respected UK charity leaders who have provided input to our Charity Investment Survey over the last 11 years, giving the sector unique insight and trend comparisons of its investment intentions.
We are pleased to launch the fieldwork for our 2025 Investment Survey for Charities, Endowments and Foundations and this year we are interested in exploring your views on:
- Current issues which may be affecting your charity and the way you operate
- Changes you may have made following the Charity Commission’s updated guidance for trustees (CC14)
- How you are considering responsible investment factors in the management of your portfolios
- Your investment strategy, recent investment returns and portfolio withdrawals
[NEW] RNIB Voice of the Customer Focus Groups – Community Eye Care
Was your eye condition diagnosed within the last two years?
If so, we’d love you to join our discussion groups and tell us more about your experiences of community eyecare, for example high street Opticians. Participants must be living in England and aged 18+.
[NEW] RNIB would love to hear your thoughts on how we look and sound
If you are living with sight loss in the UK, we’d love your help here at RNIB. We’re making some improvements to our brand, and we want to make sure the changes we make work for people with lived experience of sight loss. Your feedback will help us make the right changes to how we look and sound.
[NEW] Would you use your optician for more of your eyecare treatment?
The NHS 10-year plan means more eye health services will be delivered by opticians and other community providers.
RNIB are gathering views to understand what services you currently access via your optician and how you’d feel about accessing more services there in future. Even if you never visit your opticians, we want you to tell us why. Your feedback will help inform wider conversations about the future of eyecare — including discussions with the NHS.
We’re running a survey for everyone in the UK aged over 16. Whilst we are particularly interested in the experiences of those with sight loss, you don’t have to have sight loss to take part.
‘Mid-value’ legacy donors are the most generous, research finds
People with “middle-sized” estates leave a larger share of their wealth to charities in their wills than richer legacy donors, according to new research.
Analysis by Legacy Futures and Smee & Ford of 145,000 bequests from all 46,000 estates processed that named a charity in England and Wales in 2024, found that estates worth £1-3m collectively left £1.3bn to the sector.
While £1-3m estates accounted for 27% of the total wealth analysed, they delivered a third of all charitable bequests.
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.
