THE MOB, THE MASSES AND THE MUMS. Fascist mobs are terrifying. But a small part of the problem. Another pants-sh*tting philosophically-inflected panic button slam on UK #civilsociety + Hannah Arendt. #farage #politics #charities

Some Philanthopy Bro berk on LinkedIn was claiming that fundraisers need to get ‘comfortable with wealth and the wealthy’. A big middle digit no to that from me in this week’s Barely Civil Society. www.barelycivilsociety.org/p/philanthro... #philanthropy #charities #nonprofits #socialism

If Karl Marx had run a community centre, do you think he would have been a bit less miserable? This and other more serious questions in Barely Civil Society. What role could #charity play in a more economically just society? Would we still need it? Yep. More here: open.substack.com/pub/dralexev...

Off to Derby today for an inspiring couple of days with Moore Kingston Smith and the Vivensa Foundation, launcing a new cohort of the Charity leadership Academy. My part? Leadership during change, including dealing with resistance.... And no, that doesn't mean calling security. #charities #leaders

I'm seeing more and more very direct hits to #charities from #NHS funding - we've all been focused on #LocalAuthorities, but it seems much more quietly the NHS has been quietly decommissioning charity services.... DIsastrous for vital community support. #Healthcare #CharityImpact

Tbh I think I would lose the will to live too if I met JD Vance.

Reeves’ budget was appalling. But austerity works - for the people who want it. It just depends on what you’re trying to achieve. This week’s Barely Civil Society looks at why we keep ending up here and what the alternatives are. And there are many. dralexevans.substack.com/p/austerity-...

Wes Streeting wants to BREAK you. 🙄 Dude, get a grip. This week’s Barely Civil Society looks at Wes’s latest enemies and then moves on to the enemies of the world: billionaire philanthropists and tech bros. dralexevans.substack.com/p/wes-street...

New Barely Civil Society now live. ‘The Bad Guys’. Trump, billionaires, Southport and crappy corporates. Enjoy! dralexevans.substack.com/p/barely-civ... #charities #charity #nonprofits #philanthropy #politics #policy

Isn’t it really nice when you meet NICE, REAL people in charities. Switched on, smart, and really care about what they do. RESOLUTION: spend more time with people who are really into their work. Less time with people who want to w*nk on about their careers and finance. Meanwhile new blog tomorrow:

Plausible deniability?

The @suttontrust.bsky.social is recruiting for a new Director of Communications and Advocacy - a fantastic role in a great team (I am biased 😉) - particularly at the moment, with the chance to influence the government's Opportunity Mission. recruitment.suttontrust.com/jobs/5429940...

Mark Zuckerberg looks like a sex pest at a health spa. He would keep trying to get you to go in his cabin, and give you unwanted shoulder massages. Creepy look for a creepy guy.

There is a rapid deprofessionalisation of the voluntary sector happening at pace, as more and more senior people lose their jobs and the gig economy replaces them. This is part of a wider trend. #charities #voluntarysector #nonprofit The death of the middle-class professional | Gaby Hinsliff |

Do you ever wonder why people are disgustingly greedy? Well, here is a very good article on that. Keep Sissy SpaceX in mind when you read it. #politics open.substack.com/pub/dangoyal...

Some reassurance from a veteran of other autocratic regimes. open.substack.com/pub/robertre...

Hurrah! Good riddance!! www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

Time for another instalment of BARELY CIVIL SOCIETY, looking into the crystal ball for 2025. Think of this as a sort of PEST for the sector, which is coincidentally what some people think of me personally. Good content, and guaranteed a good rude joke or too. #charity #nonprofit #politics #VCS

Robert Reich is a big hero of mine. I like this recent quote. But let’s be clear. ‘Positive thinking’ is not what he’s arguing for. We need hard cynicism about the current reality, and big dreams for the future. Change can happen. Being honest about the now is the first step. #nonprofits #charities

Tank tops should NEVER match your skirt.

Have you seen the absolute state of the #LocalAuthority financial crisis? If ever they tell you #charities need to get better at managing their finances, please feel free to laugh, or possibly scream. Prediction: the 90% with no accounts are secretly bankrupt. www.theguardian.com/society/2024...

Massive away win for the little fella.

As someone who really dislikes Christmas, it annoys me that I end up looking forward to it. Just please, gawd, make work stop for a bit…. And then in January the panic comes. Please, gawd, make it start again! Ah, the joys of #freelance. #charity #consultancy

Dolly Parton and me love a good theory of change. She once said: "Find out who you are, and then do it on purpose." That’s what most theories of change are. Of course you may need to think from scratch. Or use it to course correct. But either way, it’s working out what you do and why. I can help!

Look, the thing about youth unemployment - and indeed, unemployment in general - is that nobody looks at demand side. They blame the unemployed: but one of the biggest problems is employers not giving people (or any people) a chance, because they are so risk averse, and so unwilling to invest.

I’m thinking of becoming a demotivational speaker for charity CEOs. Instead of telling people they’re amazing and they can do the impossible, I’m going to tell them they’re good enough and they can do the achievable. Good enough in this world is amazing. “YOU GOT THIS! But let’s be realistic.”

I’m thinking of becoming a demotivational speaker for charity CEOs. Instead of telling people they’re amazing and they can do the impossible, I’m going to tell them they’re good enough and they can do the achievable. Good enough in this world is amazing. “YOU GOT THIS! But let’s be realistic.”

Somebody from a badger charity connected with me on LinkedIn. They probably wouldn’t believe me if I told them it’s one of the best things that’s ever happened to me. Badgers are awesome. Of course if I’d got a LinkedIn request from an ACTUAL badger that would be even better.

It’s Friday morning and time for Barely Civil Society. This week taking a look at what next for #youthwork, with the last of the Big Society Boondoggles, NCS, coming to an end. Plus more general charity sh*tshow updates. dralexevans.substack.com/p/goodbye-na...

Lidl has now started selling clothing for #charity #CEOs in crisis. Important and necessary. Meanwhile, hit me up if you need help to reduce usage. I bought two btw. #civilsociety #charities #voluntarysector

Funny looking badger. Feels like when charities give the contract to one of the big consultancy firms. They pay top dollar, and then get stuck with the intern….

I never did Twitter because originally it was just full of meanies. Then it became full of fascists and I thought, oh yes, that tracks. SO here I am on Bluesky, creating another social media pit to fall into.

First Blue Sky post... @gemabbott.bsky.social Hi Gemma, please can you add me to your UK Third Sector Folks list? I am the criminal non-mastermind behind Barely Civil Society blog.... dralexevans.substack.com