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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

Statement from NCVO chair, Priya Singh, on the outcomes of investigations into complaints

The board of trustees is committed to NCVO’s equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and culture change programme.

The civil society group launches to increase collaboration, improve efficiency, effectiveness and streamline engagement

Today sees the launch of The Civil Society Group – an informal collaboration of organisations representing members and groups from across the charity sector and wider civil society.

  • Collaboration

Record membership growth for NCVO and better-than-expected financial performance highlighted in 2021 annual report

Ahead of its Annual General Meeting on 22 November, NCVO today publishes its annual report and financial accounts for the year ending 31 March 2021.

  • Membership

New research examines volunteering policy response in England during the pandemic

A new research briefing published today and authored by the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) examines the government’s policy response to volunteering in England, and its impact, during the covid-19 pandemic.

  • Coronavirus

New research shows increased charity demand for services and support from sector infrastructure organisations during the pandemic

The pandemic has increased demand within the voluntary sector for services and support from charity infrastructure organisations, according to new research released today.

  • Coronavirus

NAVCA to take over volunteer centre quality accreditation from NCVO

NCVO and NAVCA reached an agreement which saw the Volunteer Centre Quality Accreditation (VCQA) transfer to NAVCA from 1 January 2022. This

  • Inside NCVO

NCVO road ahead 2022 helps charities chart route to 'new practicality' amid constant uncertainty

The voluntary sector will have to accept a level of constant uncertainty in 2022, but should still be optimistic about its ability to provide dignity, purpose and hope for society, says NCVO’s Road Ahead 2022.

  • Coronavirus

NCVO statement on third sector article

Our statement in response to today’s (25 January 2022) Third Sector article relating to the investigations into complaints at NCVO, which completed in September 2021.

NCVO and ACEVO call for all charity roles to be advertised as flexible

The voluntary sector needs to lead the way on flexible working and advertise all roles as flexible, with employers encouraging open conversations about how it can work in their organisation.

  • Employing and managing staff

Involving paid staff as volunteers

Things to consider when paid staff want to volunteer for the organisation that employs them

  • Involving volunteers

Data protection and volunteers

Guidance on holding and protecting data on volunteers

  • Involving volunteers

Employment status

Guidance on when a volunteer can demonstrate that they're working under a contract, and what that means

  • Involving volunteers

Tribunal decisions

Examples of tribunal decisions where a volunteer be seen as an employee

  • Involving volunteers

National minimum wage

What happens if a volunteer is found to be eligible for the minimum wage

  • Involving volunteers

Making sure you don't create an employment contract

How to make the most of volunteers while ensuring they don’t become workers or employees

  • Involving volunteers

Volunteering and benefits

Learn more about volunteering while receiving state benefits

  • Involving volunteers

Volunteering, tax and national insurance

Learn about the tax and national insurance implications for volunteers

  • Involving volunteers

Volunteering and health and safety

Guidance on the health and safety measures you need to put in place when working with volunteers

  • Involving volunteers

Insurance and volunteers

Guidance on arranging insurance for volunteers and volunteer-involving organisations

  • Involving volunteers

Developing a Fundraising Strategy (0.5 day)

Learn how to develop your first fundraising strategy. This course is aimed at small to medium-sized charities looking to grow their fundraising offer.

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

Successful funding applications (0.5 day)

Learn Practical tips to ensure you are successful in your funding bid applications.

Registering a charity in England and Wales

Learn the steps to take to set up and register a charity with the Charity Commission in this free webinar.

Mentoring and coaching skills (0.5 days)

This course provides an introduction to the key differences between mentoring and coaching. You’ll learn how to use both skills effectively to develop and support staff, volunteers and clients

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

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

Building a sustainable and resilient fundraising strategy (1 day)

Through a blend of theoretical frameworks and practical application, you'll learn how to build a fundraising function that is not only effective today but sustainable and resilient for years to come.

Trustees Week 2025: Board behaviours workshop

Explore refreshed Charity Governance Code guidance and reflect on how trustee behaviours shape decision-making, board culture and effectiveness.

Introduction to EDI in charities (2 x 0.5 days)

This course introduces the key principles of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and how to apply them to your organisation