Third Sector

Lucinda and Emily are joined by Julie Bentley, chief executive of Samaritans, to find out how the charity has rebuilt its volunteer base after it shrank by 30 per cent during the Covid-19 pandemic.Julie describes how Samaritans’ more flexible volunteering packages aim to attract volunteers from all corners of society. She provides her views on the campaigning climate for charities, and the need for more consistent core funding to help the sector overcome the present financial challenges.She also stresses the need for a more joined-up and compassionate social care system to identify and assist people with overlapping needs, from financial to mental health support.Charity Changed My Life features the story of Duaa Falah, executive director for the Iraqi grassroots organisation Mercy Path for Women’s Affairs. Duaa explains how her involvement with Mercy Path and its sister organisation, Mercy Hands, has enabled her to become a force for good in her community.Also in the episode, Emily provides some background to

Lucinda and Rory are joined by Wajid Akhter, founder of Charity Week, a student and volunteer-led campaign of Islamic Relief, and Harry Twohig, communities officer at the Brilliant Club, to discuss how charities can tap into students’ inclination to support societal causes.Wajid outlines the aims of Charity Week, which he established in 2000, and describes how its partner charity, Islamic Relief, provides important support while allowing students and volunteers to assume full leadership of the initiative.Recent graduate Harry stresses the need for charities to allow students to have genuine ownership of their voluntary work, fostering trust and a sense of belonging. He explains why he considers Amnesty International and the blood cancer charity Anthony Nolan to be particularly strong examples of effective charity-student engagement.Also in the episode, Rory explains the ins and outs of charity job shares, the number of which has gone up by 900 per cent since the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the Charte

From the team at Third Sector comes The Diff – a new podcast that spotlights the work of small charities and not-for-profits.In the final episode of its pilot series, The Diff visits the Synergy Theatre Project to hear about its work with prisoners and ex-prisoners. Guests explain how working with prisoners, ex-prisoners, young offenders and young people at risk of offending reveals the many factors that perpetuate cycles of violence in today’s society. They also share the vital importance of lived experience in Synergy’s work.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From the team at Third Sector comes The Diff – a new podcast that spotlights the work of small charities and not-for-profits.In the second episode of our pilot mini-series, airing 13-17 November, host Rhianna Dhillon learns how the first-aid charity StreetDoctors empowers young people to become part of the solution to knife crime. Volunteer and medical student Suleiman Shurafa gives a quick-fire guide to the vital first-aid skills that can to save the life of someone who has been stabbed or injured in a violent incident. And chief executive Lucie Russell explains the importance of the charity's trauma-informed work.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From the team at Third Sector comes The Diff – a new podcast that spotlights the work of small charities and not-for-profits. In the first episode of our pilot mini-series, airing 13-17 November, we ask: what causes a knife crime epidemic – and what would it take to end one? Patrick Green, chief executive of the Ben Kinsella Trust, and Nathaniel Peat, founder of the Safety Box CIC, discuss the multi-layered factors driving knife crime in the UK, and explain how their work helps to tackle the crisis. Hosted by Rhianna Dhillon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lucinda and Andy are joined by Katy Saunders, director at Social Finance, and Mark Jarman-Howe, chief executive of St Helena Hospice, to discuss how charities can make effective use of social investment mechanisms.Katy explains how the social investment market works and describes its growth over the past decade, presenting opportunities to charities to be both investors and recipients of social finance.Mark describes St Helena’s journey into social investment as traditional fundraising streams failed to keep up with rising demand. He explains how the charity now provides lottery services to 35 other charities, with an annual turnover of £5m.They also discuss the potential risks and downsides of social investment, stressing the importance for charities to conduct due diligence into potential partners and acknowledge that grant funding is often preferable.Earlier in the episode, senior news reporter Emily Harle discusses ways in which charities can engage politicians in the wake of party conference season and w

Lucinda and Emily are joined by Rebecca Gray, chief executive of Maudsley Charity, a grant-maker for mental health projects.Rebecca describes how the recruitment of a new board in 2018 helped the charity to change its approach to funding across thematic, strategic programme areas with input from stakeholders to help influence the charity’s direction of travel.She explains how the charity balances considerations of need, potential for change and the most appropriate type of funding to make a difference, investing in local projects targeting social groups that lack trust in statutory mental health services, with a view to generating a national ripple effect.Charity Changed My Life features the story of Lydia Eccleston, who received life-changing support from Endometriosis UK that enabled her to confirm and manage her diagnosis with the chronic condition and the realities it presents.Do you have stories of people whose lives have been transformed for the better thanks to your charity? If so, we’d like to hear th

Lucinda takes a look behind the scenes at Barnardo’s as she shadows a day in the life of Becky Rice, the charity’s senior policy adviser for mental health and wellbeing.Becky outlines the different aspects of her job: from conducting research to responding to government announcements and speaking to children, young people, practitioners and parents to ensure their perspectives and priorities are at the forefront of the charity’s policy recommendations.She describes her professional path to her current role and provides tips for anyone interested in joining the policy profession, as well as outlining the key qualities she looks for in a budding policy adviser.Lucinda is joined by Third Sector’s editor, Emily Burt, to reflect on the visit. Also in the episode, reporter Rory Poulter provides insight into a range of leading sector perspectives on how charities can collaborate effectively.Do you have stories of people whose lives have been transformed for the better thanks to your charity? If so, we’d like to

Lucinda and Rory are joined by Sophie Tebbetts, head of programmes at the food poverty charity FoodCycle, to learn about the different techniques used to attract and retain the charity’s 15,000 volunteers.Sophie explains how FoodCycle’s roots in universities have informed its volunteer strategy and enabled it to maintain a healthy roster of volunteers, most of whom fall within the 25 to 45 age range. She stresses the importance of flexibility and streamlined induction processes, as well as open communication channels with the charity’s core team and events to recognise and celebrate the critical role played by FoodCycle’s volunteers.Charity Changed My Life features the story of the forces veteran Brian Brown, who received vital support from Help for Heroes during his recovery from an alcohol addiction and post-traumatic stress disorder.Also in the episode, Rory sheds light on the news of strike-off action initiated against the English National Opera and the surprise departure of its music director.Do you

Lucinda and Emily introduce The Diff: a new podcast from Third Sector, currently in its pilot stage, which champions the work of small charities, grassroots organisations and social enterprises working on the front line.The episode features snippets of conversations between The Diff’s host, Rhianna Dhillon, and five guests. These consist of Meg Doherty, founder of the social enterprise Fat Macy’s; Tom Slatter, head of insights and impact at the social mobility charity The Brokerage; the poet and educator Christian Foley; Alex Smith, senior adviser at the Obama Foundation; and Ben Sweet, manager at Love Squared.Rhianna and her guests provide their perspectives on the sector and some of the shared societal problems that charities are working to overcome.The Diff is produced by Inga Marsden, Til Owen, Jide Eguakun, Babajide Osikoya and Nav Pal.Do you have stories of people whose lives have been transformed for the better thanks to your charity? If so, we’d like to hear them! All it takes is a short voice message

Lucinda and Rory are joined by the talent director Paul Cullen to discuss how charities can form fruitful partnerships with celebrities. Paul provides his take on the move by numerous charities to distance themselves from Russell Brand in the wake of the multiple sexual abuse allegations made against the comedian.The talent director suggests different ways in which charities can gain value from celebrity involvement, from fundraising to policy, as well as manage the associated risks of a charity-celebrity partnership.Also in this episode, senior reporter Emily Harle looks at Alzheimer Scotland’s public criticism of a video released by Alzheimer’s Research UK, which aims to depict the reality of living with dementia.Do you have stories of people whose lives have been transformed for the better thanks to your charity? If so, we’d like to hear them! All it takes is a short voice message to be featured on this podcast. Email lucinda.rouse@haymarket.com for further information.Tell us what you think of t

Lucinda and Andy are joined by Duncan Shrubsole, director of policy, communications and research at the Lloyds Bank Foundation, and Elizabeth Jiménez-Yáñez, policy and communications manager at the Latin American Women's Rights Service (Lawrs), to talk about charities’ influencing work. Duncan highlights the importance of enabling grassroots organisations to influence policy by amplifying their voices, while acknowledging the difficulties of doing so. He gives his thoughts on the outlook for influencing work in the current political climate and explains how the Lloyds Bank Foundation is helping to strengthen the capacity, capability and confidence of small charities to engage in influencing work.Elizabeth describes Lawrs’ work to raise awareness of the plight of Latin American women in the UK who have an insecure immigration status and are experiencing domestic violence. She suggests different ways that charities can influence through storytelling and stresses the importance of working in coali

Lucinda and Emily are joined by James Cusack, chief executive of Autistica, to debunk some common misconceptions about neurodivergence and neurodiversity.James, who is autistic, describes his own professional journey and his conviction that workplaces are enriched by colleagues who think in different ways.He suggests basic workplace adjustments to accommodate neurodiversity to the benefit of all employees and points listeners to Autistica’s Employer’s Guide to Neurodiversity for further guidance.Also in the episode, news editor Andy Ricketts shares his thoughts on new social media guidance published by the Charity Commission which has allayed the concerns of some in the sector about the role trustees are expected to play in monitoring employees’ social media activity. Do you have stories of people whose lives have been transformed for the better thanks to your charity? If so, we’d like to hear them! All it takes is a short voice message to be featured on this podcast. Email lucinda.rouse@haymarket.com fo

Lucinda and Emily are joined by the fundraising consultant Lynda Harwood-Compton to discuss successful partnerships between charities and corporate entities.Lynda, who was the head of philanthropy and partnerships at the Brain Tumour Charity until August, describes a general shift in mentality by corporates to be more strategic in identifying charities with a shared purpose and values, as well as an evolution from corporate social responsibility to environmental sustainability. She highlights three very different but equally effective corporate partnerships: Overgate Hospice and the Yorkshire Soap Company; the Marine Conservation Society and Fat Face; and Together for Short Lives and Morrisons. Lucy Crisp, head of corporate partnerships at Together for Short Lives, joins the discussion and explains how the Morrisons partnership leans on individual stores’ existing connection with children’s hospices. Also in the episode, reporter Rory Poulter provides his perspective on the findings of C&E Advi

Lucinda and Rory are joined by the charity coach Steve Allman to discuss how voluntary sector leaders can be better supported in their increasingly demanding roles.Steve describes some of the common issues clients bring to him and highlights the critical role of boards in cultivating a positive organisational culture which promotes professional development at all levels. He explains the distinction between management and leadership and warns against the pitfalls of measuring productivity through to-do lists, which he believes can set unrealistic expectations.Charity Changed My Life features the story of Claire Clark, whose life has returned to relative normality thanks to the swift intervention of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance after a serious accident.Do you have stories of people whose lives have been transformed for the better thanks to your charity? If so, we’d like to hear them! All it takes is a short voice message to be featured on this podcast. Email lucinda.rouse@haymarket.com for

Lucinda and Rory are joined by Judith Moran, director of Quaker Social Action, and Jehangir Malik, policy and engagement director at Mercy Mission UK, to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing faith-based charities. Judith stresses the importance of Quaker values as a guiding principle to Quaker Social Action, forming a precious part of her organisation’s identity, but acknowledges that the inclusion of the word “Quaker” in the charity’s name presents both an opportunity and threat.Jehangir describes the Covid-19 pandemic as a pivotal moment in recognising the contribution made by Muslim charities in the areas of social action and civic engagement.He highlights some of the challenges facing Muslim charities as minority organisations establishing themselves in Britain’s civil society tapestry, and comments on a recent government decision to pause funding to a mosque and community centre in Birmingham.They also give their views on the advancement of religion as a charitable purpose.Chari

Lucinda and Emily are joined by Carol Botten, chief executive of the north east voluntary sector network Vonne, and Jack Chellman, chief project officer at the Global Returns Project, to understand how voluntary organisations can measure the impact of their climate work.Carol acknowledges the difficulties of measuring any form of impact and stresses the importance of establishing what it is you want to measure and why, framing the issues around people, place and planet. She describes some of the steps taken by members of Vonne’s Going Green Together initiative to reduce their environmental impact and measure the results using a carbon footprint calculator.Jack draws on the Global Returns Project’s expertise of reporting environmental returns through its work with leading climate charities and advocates for a rigorous framework that captures both quantitative and qualitative results.Charity Changed My Life features the story of Michelle, who describes the credit facility offered by Fair for You’s Iceland

Lucinda travels to London Zoo to meet the Zoological Society of London’s head of procurement, Sara Muller.Sara gives the low-down on the ins and outs of her role and describes her motivations for working in procurement, including a special interest in promoting sustainability in the sector.She provides tips for anyone interested in joining the procurement profession and outlines the key qualities she looks for in a budding procurement officer.Lucinda is joined by Third Sector’s editor, Emily Burt, to reflect on the visit. And reporter Rory Poulter provides analysis on two of the top news stories from the sector, namely the dismissal of new employees at the eating disorder charity Beat just four weeks into the job and an initiative to raise awareness about firms impersonating charities online.Watch footage and bonus content from the ZSL visit on the Third Sector TikTok page.Do you have stories of people whose lives have been transformed for the better thanks to your charity? If so, we’d like to hear

Lucinda and Emily are joined by Leann Cross, director of the childcare support charity Home-Start Greenwich, to explore how inflationary pressures are impacting low-earning charity employees.Leann discusses multi-year term public funding cycles, which are designed to improve long-term organisational sustainability but have negatively affected Home-Start’s ability to respond to rising costs. She describes the often blurred line between Home-Start’s employees and service users and provides insight into effective forms of supplementary support to staff.Also in the episode, news editor Andy Ricketts provides his take on an undercover investigation exposing potentially unethical practices carried out by door-to-door charity fundraisers in Wales.Do you have stories of people whose lives have been transformed for the better thanks to your charity? If so, we’d like to hear them! All it takes is a short voice message to be featured on this podcast. Email lucinda.rouse@haymarket.com for further information.Tell us

Lucinda and Emily are joined by Natasha Ratter, environmental sector lead at the Environmental Funders Network, and Rachel Heydecker, senior policy and engagement officer at the Association of Charitable Foundations.Rachel explains how the ACF’s Funder Commitment on Climate Change is encouraging funders working across a wide range of cause areas to integrate climate considerations into their work. She highlights the opportunity for funders to support immediate and longer-term responses to the climate emergency.Natasha describes the paralysis felt by many funders who are overwhelmed by the scale of the climate crisis as a key barrier to tackling the emergency, along with difficulties in measuring the impact of climate work.She cites a blog post written by EFN trustee Nick Addington suggesting how voluntary organisations can play to their strengths in responding to the climate emergency and go further than making operational adjustments.Also in this episode, news editor Andy Ricketts provides his take on two of