Who we work with

Client: the British Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (British APCO) - a professional association for those working in public safety technology.

How we helped: Our governance consultants worked with British APCO to strengthen and develop their governance and board practice.

NCVO supported British APCO with:

• a bespoke training session for the board, looking at the duties of trustees and considering the strategic direction of the charity
• a comprehensive governance review process to assess the structure and practice of governance at British APCO
• surveys, interviews, and an interactive workshop with the board,

Results: We developed a series of recommendations to help British APCO manage conflicts of interest and enhance their board.

As a result of our work their board has grown and diversified, giving them more capacity to oversee the breadth of work of the charity.

Client: Honeycomb Group, a Staffordshire-based organisation providing affordable housing and support services.

How we helped: Our strategy and impact consultants worked with the Honeycomb Group to develop their evaluation frameworks, strategy processes and a growth plan.

We collaborated with them on:

• workshops with staff, trustees, volunteers and individuals with lived experience
• a strategy away day, bringing together leadership across their multiple brands

Results: together we co-created:

• three programme-level theories of change
• an overarching organisational theory
• a new strategy process
• a five-year growth plan

From this, we co-developed a strategic framework, aligning brand timelines with the phases of Honeycomb’s corporate strategy, ensuring a cohesive approach for long-term growth and impact.

Client: Surfers Against Sewage, one of the UK’s leading marine conservation charities, dedicated to creating ocean activists and fostering thriving oceans and communities.

How we helped: The charity sought to strengthen their programme with clearer policies, processes, and guidance to ensure long-term sustainability and growth.

NCVO’s consultancy team collaborated with Surfers Against Sewage to overhaul their support for their Regional Reps volunteers. They also reviewed existing materials and developed a suite of resources, including:

• a Volunteering Policy
• an updated role description reflecting their campaigning and EDI priorities
• a streamlined application and reappointment process
• a Rep Agreement
• a comprehensive handbook
• and a problem-solving policy.

Results: These updates have ensured the programme is:

• underpinned by good practice
• compliant
• adaptable to the changing landscape of volunteer management.

The enhanced framework not only supports the effective management and growth of the Regional Reps programme but also serves as a foundation for other volunteering initiatives within the organisation.