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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

Training

We offer a range of training courses designed to help you do what you do best

eLearning: Roles and duties of trustees

This flexible, interactive course will help you understand your duties as a trustee and support you to run your charity effectively so you can make a bigger difference

Leading on purpose

A practical four-month programme for emerging charity leaders who are on their way to leading organisations

Our vision for charity leaders

Learn about the mindset, knowledge and connections that emerging leaders need to guide the sector into the 2030s

Support for small charities and voluntary organisations

We know small charities make a big impact with limited resource - that's why we're here to help

Small charity helpdesk

Ask our practical support team any question about the setting up or running of your charity or voluntary organisation.

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

Governance round-up: October 2023

The latest guidance, resources and training for governance professionals

  • Governance

Meeting the challenges of a Cost of Giving Crisis this winter

NCVO's CEO Sarah Vibert launches our campaign to support charities and voluntary organisations this winter

  • Cost of living

Charity Essentials (Welsh version)

A Welsh version of the Charity Essentials tool, which can help you do a basic health check on how your organisation is performing

Get started with equity, diversity and inclusion

This page helps you get started in improving your organisations’ approach to equity, diversity and inclusion.

  • Equity, diversity and inclusion

The Equality Act: Your legal duties

Using the Equality Act to understand your legal duties

  • Equity, diversity and inclusion

Respond to discrimination

This page is about how to respond to discrimination occurring in your organisation.

  • Equity, diversity and inclusion

Insurance

Risk management is a vital (and legal) responsibility for charity trustees. This page covers an introduction to the risk management process and the role insurance plays in protecting your organisation.

  • Law and regulation

Charity ethical principles

Principles that support charities to recognise and resolve ethical issues and conflicts, and make charities safer

  • Governance

Explaining governance

Learn about what governance is and how it applies to charities

  • Governance

What is a board?

Learn about what a board is and how it works

  • Governance

What is a trustee?

What is a Trustee and how do you appoint them?

  • Governance

NCVO member welcome and refresher session: July 2025

Being an NCVO member means being part of a community. Whether you've just joined us, or you're renewing your membership and need a refresher, join this session to meet and network with other members online

Managing conflict and ending volunteering well (0.5 day)

This course will help you to manage conflict and problem solve with your volunteers, and navigate the process of ending volunteering well.

Outcomes and impact measurement (1 day)

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

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

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

Tools and methods for measuring outcomes (1 day)

Get an introduction to data collection methods and practical guidance for evaluating your work

Volunteering network meeting

A network open to all NCVO members working within the volunteering ecosystem. Join us to discuss your volunteering challenges and work with the group to find solutions

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

Leading external engagement (2 days)

This practical two-day course for aspiring and existing charity leaders will build your confidence and skills to deliver impact for yourself and your organisation. Learn who your key stakeholders are and how to use communication tools to build engagement and partnerships

Good practice in volunteer management (1 day)

This course provides an introduction to the key principles of good volunteer management and how to apply them in your organisation