The NCVO has announced details around the launch of a Small Charities Advisory Panel to champion support for small charities.

The panel had been planned following the collapse of the Small Charities Coalition last year and its services being transferred to the NCVO in partnership with another sector support body the Foundation of Social Improvement (FSI).

But following the imminent closure of the FSI this year, the panel will have responsibility for holding the NCVO and any future partners to account “for continuing the legacies” of both the SCC and the FSI in supporting small charities.

The 14 strong panel includes representatives from six small charities, six infrastructure organisations and two funders and will meet quarterly, with the first scheduled for May this year.

Its co-chairs are Oxford Hub director Ray Coyle and chief executive of The Sleep Charity Vicki Beevers.

“The panel will have a vital role in engaging other infrastructure partners and organisations across the small charity sector at a national level,” said Beevers.

“We will work hard to widen the offering for small charities, advocating for these organisations that play an increasingly important role in our society. There has never been a greater need for the support many of these organisations offer.”

Ray Coyle, co-chair of the Small Charities Advisory Panel, said: “The mounting pressures on many communities across the UK means that small and community charities are needed more than ever. This increased demand, alongside increased costs and squeezed funding, means that small charities need our support and need it now.

“The panel will work with charities, funders and infrastructure partners to help NCVO and others to design and deliver that support effectively and quickly so that we provide small charities with what they need to carry on doing their amazing work.”

Other panel members include NAVCA chief executive Maddy Desforges and NPC principal consultant Amina Ali.

Charity chief executives sitting on the panel include Sister Circle’s Karen Wint and Kids Club Kampala’s Olivia Barker White.

'Having a seat at the table'

Noorzaman Rashid, chair of the FSI, which is due to close in the Spring this year, and chief executive of CEME has also been named as a panel member.

“Although we have taken the difficult decision to close the FSI, we hope our legacy is that the needs of small charities are permanently at the top of the sector’s agenda,” said Rashid.

“I welcome the chance to work with other panel members to ensure this is the case and to help drive the delivery of small charity support committed to as part of the FSI and NCVO partnership.”

Sarah Vibert, CEO of NCVO, added: “I am delighted that the members of the Small Charities Advisory Panel, bring such a breadth and depth of experience from across the voluntary organisations.

"Our ambition in setting up the panel has always been to fill the gap left by the Small Charities Coalition in providing a distinct voice for small charities. We will work hard to ensure they have a seat at the table in decision-making forums.

“The panel will also provide specialist insight to NCVO and our partners. They will help shape our collective offer for small charities, ensuring support is comprehensive, easy to find and tailored to the needs of small organisations.

"The overwhelming majority of our members are small charities, and they will benefit from the knowledge and insight the panel can provide. I look forward to working closely with the panel to build on the legacies of the FSI and SCC.”

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