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Practical support bulletin: September 2023

Resources, free events, support and guidance on the big issues affecting small charities

  • Financial management
  • Funding and income
  • Responding to crises

Government policy and funding round-up: September 2023

An update on our influencing work, government policy and funding announcements

  • Government and politics
  • Funding and income

Governance round-up: September 2023

The latest guidance from the Charity Commission, new governance resources and upcoming training

  • Governance

National Inclusion Week: Why the language we use matters in building belonging

NCVO shares changes we’re making to our use of language along with reflections for the wider sector

  • Inside NCVO
  • Equity, diversity and inclusion

UK Civil Society Almanac 2023

The UK Civil Society Almanac, published annually by NCVO, is the definitive publication on the state of the voluntary sector. Widely cited by the media, it is used extensively by sector leaders, policy makers, journalists and academics

  • Government and politics
  • Involving volunteers

Narrowing the voluntary sector’s gender pay gap

Our policy and influencing manager Catherine Goodall talks about our work to address the gender pay gap – and explores what you can do to support change across the sector

  • Equity, diversity and inclusion

5 ways to embody the spirit of pride all year round

For National Inclusion Week, the NCVO Rainbow Network shares their thoughts on how to provide opportunities for making organisations more inclusive for the LGBTQIA+ community.

  • Equity, diversity and inclusion

Three key insights from this year’s NCVO Almanac

Following the release of our UK Civil Society Almanac 2023, our research and insight manager, Nayyara Tabassum, explores some of the report’s key takeaways

Volunteering round-up: October 2023

The latest volunteering news, resources and dates for your diary

  • Involving volunteers

NCVO AGM 2023: New trustees and priorities for the future

Highlights and key talking points from our annual general meeting

  • Inside NCVO

Saskia Konynenburg appointed Interim Chief Executive of NCVO

  • Governance
  • Leadership

Civil Society Covenant launched to reset partnership with government

  • Campaigning
  • Government and politics

Help shape new public procurement rules for charities

  • Government and politics
  • Funding and income

How we help charities build confidence in evaluation

Many charities want to evaluate their impact but lack time or confidence. This blog shares how we support practical, sustainable approaches to self-evaluation.

  • Business planning and strategy
  • Impact and evaluation

Kate Lee OBE appointed new chief executive

NCVO announces the appointment of Kate Lee OBE as its new chief executive, joining at a crucial moment for the voluntary sector.

  • Leadership
  • Governance

Manchester attacks: a statement

A statement from Kate Lee OBE, our chief executive, on the recent attacks in Manchester.

  • Responding to crises

Support for charities in divided times

We know from speaking to our members about the increased need for sector support and solidarity in times of division and racial hatred.

  • Responding to crises

New treasurer and trustee confirmed at 2025 AGM

Members came together for our 2025 AGM to reflect on the past year, hear from our leadership team, and welcome our new treasurer and chief executive.

  • Governance
  • Inside NCVO

Refreshed Charity Governance Code strengthens focus on behaviours and inclusion

A refreshed Charity Governance Code gives clearer guidance for charity boards on leadership, decision making and inclusion.

  • Equity, diversity and inclusion
  • Governance

Charity governance is getting stronger, yet culture gaps persist

Our latest Governance in Focus report reveals that charity boards are improving how they govern but still have work to do on inclusion and culture.

  • Equity, diversity and inclusion
  • Governance

Plan for specific roles

How to identify potential risks when creating a new staff or volunteering role

  • Safeguarding

Asking about someone's criminal history

How and when to ask about a staff member or volunteer's criminal history

  • Safeguarding

Types of DBS check

A comprehensive guide to different types of DBS checks

  • Safeguarding

Deciding which checks to carry out

Different roles will require different checks. This page explores what checks you might need to run

  • Safeguarding

Help and support with requesting DBS checks

How to request and process DBS checks

  • Safeguarding

Checks for people working overseas

Guidance on what checks you need to complete for people working overseas

  • Safeguarding

Checks for trustees

Guidance on additional information you need to consider when carrying out DBS checks for trustees

  • Safeguarding

Keeping information safe

Steps you need to take to keep data safe once DBS checks have been carried out

  • Safeguarding

When someone has a criminal record

Guidance on what to do if a staff member or volunteer has a criminal record

  • Safeguarding

What you need to know about whistleblowing

Find out about whistleblowing, and the policies your organisation should have in place.

  • Safeguarding

Designated safeguarding leads in charities (1 day)

This one-day training course provides an overview of the roles and responsibilities of safeguarding leads in charities in England

Data protection essentials (2 x 0.5 days)

This course will take you through the essentials of lawful data processing for charities and help improve your compliance with the law

APPG on Charities and Volunteering: local partnership working

Join us for a discussion on the future of partnership working between local government and civil society.

Charity trustee induction and refresher (2 x 0.5 days)

This course will give trustees an overview and understanding of charity governance, regulation and best practice

Supporting good governance (4 x 0.5 days)

This course will help you implement structures and processes to support trustees, and ensure systems are aligned with your organisation’s purpose and objectives

Outcomes and impact measurement (1 day)

Learn how to create an evaluation plan to better understand and demonstrate the difference your work makes

Strategic planning: tools for decision making (1 day)

This course will introduce processes and tools to help ensure that decision-making is responsive to your environment and focused on the most important issues affecting your organisation

Charity finance skills (1 day)

This course will help people with little or no financial background to feel confident in managing day-to-day charity finance

Safeguarding essentials in charities (1 day)

All voluntary organisations have a duty to keep the people they work with safe from harm. This course introduces the basics of safeguarding within a charity context in England and highlights effective safeguarding practice

Theory of change for strategic planning and evaluation (1 day)

Learn how to create your own theory of change and narrative. This course will challenge you to think critically about what you're doing and why