At NCVO, we’re committed to building a more inclusive and equitable voluntary sector.
As part of our commitment to inclusivity and equity, we’re sharing our Inclusive Language and Communications Guide, a practical tool developed for NCVO staff to support inclusive and accessible communication.
At an ACEVO members’ event in 2022, our chair, Priya Singh, and I reflected on NCVO’s cultural transformation and the lessons we’ve learned. One of the key takeaways was that language plays a crucial role in creating an inclusive culture.
We know the words we use have power. Language can either empower or marginalise, and as such the way we communicate matters. Through the Inclusive language and communications guide, we review how language can be used thoughtfully to foster belonging, challenge inequities, and support meaningful change.
Our commitment to inclusion goes beyond language. We want to help shape a voluntary sector that reflects and represents the communities it serves.
One example of this is our work supporting Maya Bhose in the Charity Interns project, which opened doors for people aged over 50 to explore careers in the voluntary sector through paid internships. Charity Interns has since grown into The Well Placed, which continues to open doors to new talent in our sector.
Initiatives like this demonstrate our belief that our sector should reflect the diverse communities we serve. But we also recognise that inclusion is an ongoing process. We must continue to explore, learn, and adapt to make real progress.
The guide is designed to:
First developed for NCVO staff, the guide was completed in September 2024. It was shared internally to allow teams to explore its principles before making it available to the wider sector.
But now, to support charities who are on similar journeys, we’re pleased to be able to share this guide as a resource for their own reflection.