Opinions

Sarah Cashman: The local brand partner is the sector’s best kept secret

Sarah Cashman, fundraising manager of Age UK Hammersmith and Fulham talks about what it can be like working for a federated charity, particularly when people in the sector don't know the difference - let alone the public.

Woosh Raza: My journey of inclusion

Woosh Raza, director of people, culture and inclusion at NCVO reflects on his own journey of inclusion and discusses why the organisation is moving away from using terms like BAME and people of colour.


Deryk Newland: How do we spend less money when everything is more expensive?
Deryck Newland, CEO of Play to the Crowd talks about the raging storm of funding issues within the sector, one which keeps on getting worse.


Zinthiya Ganeshpanchan: Why charities should avoid using the BAME label

BAME’ stands for ‘Black, Asian and minority ethnic’ and ‘BME’ stands for Black and Minority Ethnic’. These terms are widely used within the charity and other sectors when referring to racially minoritized groups. This labelling of people such as ‘BAME’ and ‘BME’ not only make the scores of other ethnic minority groups living in the UK invisible, but it also dangerously excludes groups such as Gypsy and Roma communities who are also an ethnic minority groups and are among those equally marginalised, and disadvantaged like the “non white” ethnic groups.


Gus Alston: The joy and pain of funding environmental projects

At Stonegrove Community Trust (SCT) we recently had some very exciting news. We now have the final sum of funding of £39,000 to give our roof’s solar panel installation the go-ahead. It’s an outstanding achievement for the local community and for our small charity, as we will become more economically and environmentally efficient. We are on our way to net zero as planned by the end of 2024.
But it hasn’t been all plain sailing.


Q&As

Q&A: “People are exhausted and facing a difficult time”

Amanda Tincknell, CEO of the Cranfield Trust talks about the challenges charities are facing and ways they can overcome them, as seen from the position of a charity that helps other charities.


Q&A: How Tom Pratt went from trustee to chair in just a year

When the former chair of the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust decided to step down, Tom Pratt, who only recently became trustee didn’t think he’d be the one taking her place. But with a mountain of support the role became a reality, as he discusses.


Q&A: “We must focus on breaking down stereotypes”
Kate Lee, CEO of Alzheimer’s Society speaks about what it means to be a female leader and how it’s possible for women in leadership positions to ‘have it all’.



Leadership diaries

Leadership diaries: "The cost-of-living crisis is affecting us all and the first place to take the hit is the training income"

Jane Robey, CEO of National Family Mediation (NFM), talks through her week at the start of a year which will see the charity celebrate its 40th anniversary.


Leadership diaries: “Making time for yourself and looking after your own wellbeing is really important”

Ruth Marvel, CEO of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE), talks through her week as the charity hosts a Royal visit and holds their 2023 annual staff conference


Leadership dairies: “Making sure communities have a voice to shame initiatives is a priority”

Rhoda Avanzado Phillips, chair and founder of communities for nature details a week where she was in the Philippines, visiting NGO the Philippine Reef and Rainforest Conservation inc on Danjugan Island, celebrating the successes of the partnership and to look ahead to its second year.


Leadership diaries: Celebrating our anniversary and rebranding respiratory

Sarah Woolnough, CEO of Asthma + Lung UK, talks through the week that the
charity celebrated one year since unveiling its new strategy, name and brand. Now one year into its five-year plan to reduce morbidity and mortality from lung conditions by 20%, the charity planned a week of activity to mark the occasion and engage supporters and stakeholders in its mission to transform lung health.

Leadership diaries: “No two weeks are ever the same”

Rebecca Middleton shares a week in her life fuelled by coffee, inspiration and meetings.



Case Studies

The magic touch: using the theory of change to power a partnership

A 40-year corporate partnership isn’t always easy to maintain in the charity sector, but Disney and Make-a-Wish UK have gone from strength to strength


#StandWithTrans: Why charity leaders are signing the pledge

Why should the charity sector take a stand with trans people, and why now? Melissa Moody finds out.


Case study: How the mix made an impact on TikTok

Digital youth charity The Mix details how it became a success on TikTok and gained over 2.8m views along the way


Case study: “Blue peter on steroids”

James Alexandroff, program director of the Perovli Schools Trust discusses the charity's work and how the idea of "blue peter on steroids" is working, and working well.


Case study: How an apprenticeship can lead to better leadership and management

During National Apprenticeship Week (6-12 February), which this year focuses on ‘Skills for Life’, we talk to Danielle Turner, head of fulfilment at the RSPB, about how her postgraduate-level senior apprenticeship has helped her become a better manager and leader, and how apprenticeships like hers can help the third sector bridge the skills gap and tackle the retention crisis.

---