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About us

Find out about our services, the way we operate and how we champion voluntary action

Who we are

We’re the membership community for charities, voluntary organisations and community groups in England

Our services

Find out how we can support you, from support for small charities and training to consultancy and corporate relations

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Volunteering during the covid-19 pandemic: What we know

  • Coronavirus
  • Involving volunteers

Governance round-up: July 2022

Read our latest round-up for trustees and governance professionals, with useful sector updates, training courses and written guidance.

  • Governance

Impact round-up: August 2022

In this edition, Sandy Chidley, senior consultant, spotlights opportunities in impact and evaluation and shares useful evaluation resources and training opportunities

  • Impact and evaluation

Time Well Spent: A national survey on the volunteer experience

Our survey of more than 10,000 people provides the most detailed analysis of volunteering for a decade

  • Involving volunteers
  • Digital and technology

Time Well Spent: Employer-supported volunteering

Building on existing work on corporate volunteering, this report looks at employer-supported volunteering through the eyes of the volunteer

  • Involving volunteers
  • Employing and managing staff

Government policy and funding round-up: August 2022

This round-up will help you to stay informed about our influencing work, and any government policy and funding announcements. For news related to what’s happening in parliament, see our regular inside track round-up.

  • Government and politics

Governance round-up: August 2022

Governance consultant Sally Stephens shares updates on the Charities Act and the Charity Governance Code, along with some exciting training opportunities for trustees

  • Governance

Turning abandoned shares into support for communities – and what you can do to help

We explain what dormant assets are, how they could support communities and how you can help make that happen.

  • Law and regulation

Supporting members through the cost of living crisis

  • Responding to crises
  • Government and politics

Government must provide immediate financial support to help communities

Voluntary sector partners joint statement on the cost of living crisis

  • Responding to crises
  • Government and politics

Documenting your delegation

Learn how to keep clear records of who holds decision-making authority.

Considering strategic and operational problems as a board

Learn about how to navigate strategic and operational problems and where the responsibility is located

  • Governance

Helping your board meet their responsibilities

Learn more about the key areas boards and trustees are responsible for

  • Governance

Introduction to trustee responsibilities

All trustees must take responsibility for decisions that benefit their charity

  • Governance

Equity, diversity and inclusion at board level

All trustees are responsible for shaping the culture of their board and charity

  • Governance

Finance

Trustees must make sure their charity’s money is safe and used properly

  • Governance

Funding and fundraising

Trustees should think carefully about how to secure income for their charity

  • Governance

How to manage risk

Seven steps to help trustees manage risk in their charity

  • Governance
  • Risk

Managing people

Trustees need to make sure their charity follows employment law and has clear volunteer management processes

  • Governance

Reporting

Guidance on Charity Commission, Companies House and serious incident reporting

  • Governance

Project management in the voluntary sector (2 days)

This practical course is specifically tailored to the voluntary sector. It’s designed to give you all the principles and practical tools you need to plan, deliver and evaluate your project successfully.

Volunteers and the law (0.5 day)

This course will help you create a positive and inclusive experience for volunteers. The course will explore best practice in relation to safeguarding, data protection, health and safety, and equality

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.

Charity finance skills (1 day)

We know numbers can be daunting. Whether you are a staff member managing daily operations or a trustee overseeing governance, understanding your charity financial health is key to sustainable impact.

Leading change and transformation (1 day)

The voluntary sector operates in a fast-moving and uncertain environment. This one-day training focuses on leading change in a way that brings staff teams with you.

Boost your personal influence and impact (0.5 day)

Learn practical tools and techniques to increase your capability, confidence and impact when seeking to influence others – both within and outside your organisation

Managing people in the charity sector (2 days)

This course will equip managers in the voluntary sector with the skills and techniques they need to effectively manage paid members of staff

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

Outcomes and impact measurement (1 day)

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

Leading external engagement (1 day)

This training will teach you how to raise your profile and the profile of your charity. You’ll learn how to improve your external engagement through network-building, collaboration, partnership development and effective communication.