“Volunteering is, by definition, freely given. Tying it to
settlement undermines its spirit, distorts its purpose and risks damaging public trust."
10.02.2026 08:57
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“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
Last week's #Budget2025 set out plans for tax, spending and public services, with important steps for families and children, but charities continue to face significant financial and operational pressure.
Read our full analysis: www.ncvo.org.uk/news-and-ins...
Charities barely feature in yesterday’s #AutumnBudget, despite their essential role in communities and the economy. With rising demand and costs, the sector needs investment, fair funding and better policy support. Read our response from yesterday below - further analysis will follow later today.
Line graph showing child poverty rates from 2022/23 to 2029/30, comparing default rates and rates if the two-child cap is removed.
Ending the two-child benefit cap in today's budget is huge, wonderful news for the 500,000 children lifted out of poverty and the 1 million who will face less deep poverty. But the other 4.1m children in poverty deserve the same. This was the right start: now do the rest.
Two-child limit scrapped from April 2026.
Scrapping the two-child limit shows this government is serious about child poverty, lifting 350,000 children above the poverty line overnight. Poverty can affect every aspect of a child’s present and future life, and hundreds of thousands of lives have been changed for the better today.
“For charities delivering public services, the government must ensure future funding includes adequate inflationary uplift, including increased wage costs."
Leigh Brimicombe, NCVO Chief Influencing Officer
“With employer national insurance also increasing in April, higher wage bills will add further strain at a time when funding is falling. Many organisations will have to review the services they offer as a result, which puts staff and the communities they support at risk."
“Charity workers deserve fair pay for the vital work they do, so we welcome the rise in the national living wage.
However, many charities are already under severe financial pressure to meet the rising cost of delivering services."
“Following this announcement, we need to see a genuine partnership with civil society, in line with the principles of the Civil Society Covenant, so that the policy is developed with organisations, not for them."
- Leigh Brimicombe, NCVO Chief Influencing Officer
"The idea of mandating volunteering as a condition for those seeking indefinite leave to remain fundamentally undermines the idea of volunteering."
Leigh Brimicombe, NCVO Chief Influencing Officer
“Our congratulations to Dame Julia Unwin.
At a time when charities face sustained financial and social pressures, we look forward to a constructive working relationship focused on fair, independent and proportionate regulation."
Leigh Brimicombe, NCVO Executive Director
“For any civil society organisation, the starting point should be getting clarity on what it is they are trying to achieve and which stakeholders – political or otherwise – are key to success.”
Introducing #CivicThreads, a new UK-wide collaboration led by NICVA with @scvo.scot, @wcvacymru.bsky.social & @ncvo.bsky.social to strengthen connections across the voluntary & community sectors.
Building shared leadership, policy tools & dialogue across the UK.
Funded by UK Gov’s Connect Fund.
"Our analysis highlights a sector that understands what good governance looks like but still finds it hard to live it consistently.
Many boards have strong intentions, but translating those into culture takes sustained effort."
Sally Stephens, NCVO’s lead governance consultant
There’s still time to take part in this wave of the VCSE Barometer Survey!
The survey builds insight into real-time trends, changes and challenges in the UK voluntary, community and social enterprise sector. Help share your views today - bit.ly/4nzv5sN
#CharityResearch #VoluntarySector
With the use of artificial intelligence (AI) continuing to grow and emerging as a powerful tool for charities, Phoenix and NCVO carried out a survey earlier this year to understand how prepared charities are for using AI.
Read the full report - phoenixs.co.uk/resources/bl...