Last week, the Civil Society Council met at Downing Street for their second meeting, led by our CEO, Kate Lee. This involved important discussions around the role of community-based services in preventative care, and local empowerment and stronger local infrastructure as a driver for real change.

The VCSE Barometer is a quarterly survey that captures the pressures and changes facing voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations. Please take part and help build a clearer picture of what organisations across the sector are facing. nbsntu.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

Six months into leading NCVO, one lesson has become increasingly clear to me: the hardest part is not deciding what matters. It’s deciding where to focus when so many things matter @kateleeceo.bsky.social

Jude Sheeran of @ncvo.bsky.social: AI can play a key role in strengthening civil society

Umbrella body NCVO plans to shift its primary focus from service delivery and consider opening up its membership to ethical businesses as part of its new long-term strategy. @ncvo.bsky.social is also increasing its annual income threshold for free membership from £30,000 to £50,000.

We’re incredibly proud to share that over £2.5 million has been raised to support 253 small charities this #SmallCharityWeek. We’re so grateful to everyone who made this possible, including our match funders, whose generosity has helped unlock vital funds for these incredible charities. Thank you 💚

#SmallCharityWeek! Lucy Rogers, VWT’s CEO, joined an All-Party Parliamentary Group at the Houses of Parliament, organised by @ncvo.bsky.social, to share and celebrate the impact of small charities — and to raise awareness of the challenges and opportunities. #SmallCharitiesBigImpact

As Chair of the APPG on Charities and Volunteering, I was delighted to welcome a large group of individuals from the charity and volunteer sector to Parliament yesterday as part of Small Charity Week. More 👇

“While good progress has been made to embed the principles of the Civil Society Covenant, that work must not stop. It is vital that the positive momentum is maintained by the next administration to fully deliver better outcomes for people and communities across the country.” Kate Lee, CEO

NCVO is currently exploring challenges around the commissioning and procurement of public services and how these can be addressed. We want to hear from NCVO members to gather more detailed insight to help shape practical policy solutions. Please email [email protected] to get involved.

Charity sector umbrella body NCVO (@ncvo.bsky.social) has announced the appointment of AI company leader Jude Sheeran as its next chair

WE'RE LIVE. 🎉 Our Big Give campaign is open NOW. Every donation matched until 26th June. https://donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05WS00000CjDDWYA3 Share if you can. Every bit helps. 💜 #BigGive #SmallCharity #DoubleTheDifference @biggive.bsky.social @ncvo.bsky.social @postcodelotteryuk.bsky.social

ONE WEEK TO GO until #SmallCharityWeek 🎉 In partnership with Global's Make Some Noise and @ncvo.bsky.social#SmallCharityWeek we're supporting 200+ charities making an incredible difference in the communities they serve. From 22–29 June, every donation made to a participating charity can be DOUBLED at BigGive.org.

Match funding explained simply: You give £10. It becomes £20. You give £25. It becomes £50. You give £50. It becomes £100. Our Big Give campaign launches in 2 weeks. Every donation during the window is matched automatically. Worth waiting for. @biggive.bsky.social  @ncvo.bsky.social  #BigGive

Volunteers’ Week is powered by you, and we want to hear from you! Help us grow and improve the campaign by sharing your ideas and experiences. It only takes a few minutes, but your input can make a big impact. 👉 bit.ly/VWSurvey26 🗓️ Survey closes 30th June

“If we want a strong civil society that can continue responding to community need, we must ensure charities have the support, infrastructure and investment required to operate safely, confidently and sustainably.” Kate Lee, CEO

Save the date & spread the word! In 3 weeks, every donation to us will be matched, £10 becomes £20, £25 becomes £50. More soon! @biggive.bsky.social   @ncvo.bsky.social  #BigGive #SmallCharity

Something big is coming. In 3 weeks, every donation to us will be matched, your £10 becomes £20. Your £25 becomes £50. We'll be sharing the many reasons why this campaign matters so much to us. But first, save the date. More soon. @biggive.bsky.social   @ncvo.bsky.social  #BigGive #SmallCharity

This #VolunteersWeek, we’re celebrating the essential role volunteers play across the advice sector. Our member organisation, Waterloo Action Centre, is a brilliant example. @ncvo.bsky.social

Volunteers' Week is here! 🎉 The charity sector relies on the kindness and dedication of the millions of ordinary people who volunteer. Why not share this post to let your volunteers know how much you appreciate them? #VolunteersWeek

Something BIG is coming...! 22nd-29th June 2026 sightsupportderbyshire.org.uk/exciting-ann...

We’re excited to announce that 257 small charities have been selected for this year’s Small Charity Week match funding campaign 🎉 Find out more: www.ncvo.org.uk/news-and-ins...

Join us next month for the online launch of our new impact toolkit, designed specifically for the pro bono sector. 🗓 Thursday 25 June ⏰ 12:30–1:30pm 📍 Online 💸 Free to attend @ncvo.bsky.social @lawworks.bsky.social

The VCSE Barometer Survey is live (29 Apr – 20 May) Wave 14 explores relationships between VCSE organisations and government. Share your experience: nbsntu.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

"It was brilliant to bring together such a diverse group of civil society leaders for the first meeting of the Civil Society Council at 10 Downing Street with the Prime Minister." Kate Lee, CEO

Prime minister Keir Starmer attended the inaugural meeting of the Civil Society Council at Number 10 this week, in which a pledge was made to “unlock” procurement opportunities for the sector

“The voluntary sector is under significant strain, and the knock-on impacts of the US-Iran war are adding further pressure at a time when many charities are already stretched to their limits." Leigh Brimicombe, Chief Influencing Officer

We were proud to support this joint letter, alongside colleagues across civil society, raising concerns about proposed changes to the Charity Commission for England and Wales powers.

Wonderful to welcome Kate Lee, new @ncvo.bsky.social CEO, to our Spon End offices last week. Our CEO Clare Wightman and deputy CEO Mel Smith enjoyed taking Kate on a whistlestop tour through Grapevine's work and talking about the future of sector representation at NCVO. Thank you for visiting Kate!

📢The #VolunteersWeek shop has launched! The shop offers a range of branded items designed to help organisations show appreciation and celebrate the impact of volunteers in their communities. Explore the collection and begin your preparations for June today: bit.ly/Volunteers-W...

Talking about mergers is like “talking about the menopause in mixed company”, said Kate Lee, chief executive of @ncvo.bsky.social, at the beginning of this year. “Everyone knows they can, but it still feels slightly uncomfortable.”

“The drop in giving is a worrying sign for the sector. At a time when demand for charitable support is rising, a decline on this scale could present serious challenges for many organisations if the trend continues.” Kate Lee, CEO

Curious about the next chapter for civil society? This week our CEO, Kate Lee OBE, spoke on the Time for Impact Podcast about her vision for both NCVO, and the charity sector at large. 🎙️ Listen to the podcast: open.spotify.com/episode/6jGH...

"Together, we share a commitment to resetting the relationship between government and civil society, and I have no doubt that this group will help turn that commitment into real change." Kate Lee, CEO

“The government should work closely with the new Civil Society Council and sector leaders to ensure any measures cannot be misused to limit or silence civil society more broadly." Kate Lee, CEO

“Volunteering is, by definition, freely given. Tying it to settlement undermines its spirit, distorts its purpose and risks damaging public trust."

Three-quarters of charities oppose the government’s plans to link volunteering to settlement in the UK, according to a new survey by @ncvo.bsky.social

Government plans to link volunteering with immigration status have raised concerns across the charity sector. We’re adding our voice to that of @ncvo.bsky.social, who are calling for a different approach. Learn more: thewea.info/45PRNGr

“We must ensure civil society is protected. By reaffirming our shared values and creating a space for positive, inclusive action, this campaign can help ensure charities are able to continue to meet the needs of the people and communities that rely on them.” Kate Lee, CEO

“Charities do, and always will, bring something vital to the impact economy: a moral compass rooted in public benefit; the ability to reach the hardest-to-reach communities and causes; and data, passion, knowledge, and experience built up since Victorian times.” Kate Lee, CEO

The VCSE Barometer Survey is live! In May 2024, 4 in 10 VCSE organisations reported that they did not have enough volunteers to meet their core objectives. Wave 13 of the survey explores recruitment, retention and the growing pressures on volunteering. Share your experience now - ow.ly/zpjK50Y3BYq

Still time to apply for the #SmallCharityWeek 2026 match funding campaign ⏰ Last year, 97% of charities boosted digital fundraising confidence, despite 90% starting with little or no experience. Find out more and apply 👉 biggive.org/small-charity-week/

"The announcement of the Local Government Partnerships Fund is a significant and welcome step in embedding the principles of the Civil Society Covenant into everyday practice for charities." Kate Lee, CEO

"Let’s not only be talking about this because of the financial pressures on our organisations. Let’s be genuinely looking at whether we can improve impact for beneficiaries.” Kate Lee, CEO

“The next step is for the covenant’s structures to be set up as a priority, so government can begin engaging meaningfully with civil society on its implementation.” Kate Lee, CEO

This article by By Dr. Natasha Hirst highlights that despite rising hostility and limited resources, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) remains essential to the charity sector’s values and effectiveness. Read the full article here - dileaders.com/blog/protect...

"The commitment from the prime minister to build a council that works directly with Number 10 recognises the strength and skills of voluntary organisations in helping solve challenges which are preventing communities from thriving." Kate Lee, CEO

"Using the findings from this report, we need to ensure the sector, its partners and friends, come together to support organisations that are simply trying to deliver their vital work." Kate Lee, CEO

The charity sector has navigated a period of significant difficulty in recent months – feeling increasingly unsafe and under threat amid rising societal tensions. Read our full report - Challenges Facing Charities in Divided Times: ncvo.org.uk/news-and-ins...

“Despite years of commitments, this data shows little meaningful progress. Competitive tendering, characterised by burdensome processes and short-term underfunded contracts, creates significant barriers for charities." - Rebecca Young NCVO Policy and Public Affairs Lead