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charitycomms.bsky.social
CharityComms
@charitycomms.bsky.social
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CharityComms is the membership network for communications professionals working in and with UK charities. Find out more about us and our membership at www.charitycomms.org.uk
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CharityComms @charitycomms.bsky.social · Feb 10
After careful review, we’ve updated our social media statement with our social media approach. We’re excited to say we’re here to stay on Bluesky, taking a test-and-learn approach to engage with our members in new and exciting ways. Read our updated statement here: bit.ly/3Q9ZDlR
Our statement about our social media
Read our statement about our decision for the future use of our X account and plans for our wider social media strategy as it develops.
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charitycomms.bsky.social
Our #CharityPR event this morning brought experts together to discuss how you can make your PR planning stronger and craft winning strategies. Here are some headlines.

What insights stood out to you most? Share in the comments below.
Three takeaways from our #CharityPR event on crafting winning strategies, including: 1. Small but mighty teams, such as The Sleep Charity, can deliver high-impact PR and build influence by leveraging partnerships, creating micro-moments that capture attention, and engaging their community to amplify campaigns and messages. 2. Effective PR combines data and human-interest stories, using hard-hitting statistics to give journalists a credible hook while emotive narratives turn numbers into relatable and memorable stories for audiences. 3. Macmillan Cancer Support shared how they are adopting a publishing mindset, providing time-poor journalists with a complete package, including video, photography, expert comment, stories and interview times.
November 20, 2025 at 4:30 PM
charitycomms.bsky.social
Embedding accessibility into your charity's brand creates a more inclusive experience for all audiences. In this blog from our knowledge hub, Michelle Noel from Studio Noel provides a helpful list of considerations for ensuring that accessibility remains a top priority: https://bit.ly/4o7FuMI
Tips for embedding accessibility into your charity rebrand, including: 1. Kick-off – Make accessibility integral from the start by discussing its importance, impact on reach, and alignment with organisational values. 2. Developing concepts – Consider accessibility in core design elements like logos, typefaces and colour palettes by evaluating legibility, type size, colour contrast and readability. Tips for embedding accessibility into your charity rebrand, including: 3. Accessibility checklist – Create a checklist to review concept designs against accessibility standards and proactively address potential barriers. 4. Assess and improve – Test and optimise brand elements using accessibility best practices and focus groups with people living with disabilities to sense check your direction. Tips for embedding accessibility into your charity rebrand, including: 5. Accessibility guidelines – Include a dedicated accessibility section in brand guidelines to help content creators and designers implement the brand accessibly while understanding its importance. 6. Continue the momentum – A culture of ongoing learning and training to create accessible content across all formats with regular reviews to maintain high-quality standards. Tips for embedding accessibility into your charity rebrand, including: 7. Empower your team - By integrating accessibility into your rebranding strategy, you empower people to make inclusive choices in all marketing and comms. And an ask to our audience if there is anything you would add to the list to share in the comments below.
November 20, 2025 at 10:03 AM
charitycomms.bsky.social
Looking for comms inspiration? As this year winds down, many of us are thinking about how we can stretch our campaigns and comms further in 2026. Get inspired by what #InspiringComms Award nominees have achieved. Register to join us on 10 Dec on LinkedIn Live: https://bit.ly/3KCBCV3
On a blue background, there are six white stars with possible area you might be inspired by if you join our Inspiring Communicator Awards, including: reach new audiences, tell stories that connect, broad media coverage, collaborate across the sector, inspire change that lasts and so much more. In accompanying orange banners, text read: Looking for some comms inspiration? Join the award ceremony on 10 Dec 2025.
November 19, 2025 at 11:00 AM
charitycomms.bsky.social
Listening is the foundation of effective comms. Yet it's the part of our work that often goes unseen, even though it shapes everything we create. We're constantly listening...to audiences, internal teams, data and silence. Who else do you listen to as part of your comms practice? Comment below.
Four bolded squares outlining who charity communicators are always listening to, including: 1. Audiences - noticing what’s changing for them, what challenges they face, and what resonates. 2. Internal teams and senior leadership - understanding priorities, pressures, and perspectives that shape decisions. 3. Data - spotting trends, behaviours, and patterns that inform how we communicate. 4. Silence - paying attention when engagement drops, voices go quiet or who’s not in the room, because absence is feedback too.
November 18, 2025 at 2:01 PM
charitycomms.bsky.social
In this blog, Liam Philips at Creative Blend explores the 'Great Decoupling' – the new reality where AI overviews are driving fewer clicks. Learn all about how to shift toward a Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO) strategy and dive into the steps which will take you there: https://bit.ly/4i8lxTN
A green table comparing the old SEO strategy to the new GEO strategy. Each row follows: Target keywords for high volume vs target long-tail, conversational questions. Aim for the first position link vs aim to be cited within the AI Overview. Write long, comprehensive articles vs write in concise, structured, 'AI-digestible' formats. Rely on good backlinks vs prioritise Google's E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) guidelines.
November 18, 2025 at 10:15 AM
charitycomms.bsky.social
Freelancers are an important part of the CharityComms community. We're here to support you as you help charities deliver powerful and world-changing comms.

Find out how a membership can keep you up to date with sector insights and connect you with charities looking for help: https://bit.ly/3JOMKyk
A purple background with the CharityComms logo and the hashtag #MembershipMonday. A quote from Claire Colvine of Colvine Communications that reads: I've been part of the CharityComms community for most of my career. This connection and support has been particularly important to me in my freelance career, where it has really helped me to stay on top of my learning and development.
November 17, 2025 at 3:30 PM
charitycomms.bsky.social
What better way to close out the year than with one last chance to learn, connect, and be inspired? Here’s a look at what’s coming up on our events calendar:
November 17, 2025 at 10:31 AM
charitycomms.bsky.social
Must read: Directory of Social Change has published a free resource to support charities in the face of rising hate and racism. The guide offers practical steps to protect your people and communities, plan strategically, and stand together against hate. Download here: https://bit.ly/4hL6cbu
Charities against hate - How to respond to racism - Directory of Social Change
The UK is experiencing an unacceptable rise in racist, xenophobic and sectarian hate. Extremist groups, and in some cases politicians, are targeting racialised people and marginalised communities with racist language and narratives, violence, threats, intimidation and harassment. This is also directly affecting charities and voluntary organisations, targeting the people charities serve, charity leaders, staff, and […]
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November 14, 2025 at 3:04 PM
charitycomms.bsky.social
Imposter syndrome is a common experience that can appear at any point in your career. Here are some practical ways to overcome the inner critic:

While these strategies won’t eliminate imposter syndrome overnight, they can help you see your value and growth more clearly.
Practical ways to overcome imposter syndrome on a white border box on a green background.  1. Keep a win log: Track successes, skill development, and positive feedback. Seeing your achievements in one place helps counter negative self-talk and reminds you of your impact. 2. Have an open conversation: Talking about how you’re feeling with a peer or colleague can help put worries in perspective before they spiral. 3. Listen to what others say: Don’t just take your own word for it. Listen to what your peers and managers say about you and your work, as they can often reflect the strengths you might overlook. 4. Mentor or support someone else: Helping a peer or colleague to grow or navigate a comms challenge gives you the opportunity to reflect on your own skills and expertise. 5. Remember, we’re all learning: Accept that mistakes are part of the learning process. Focus on progress, not perfection. It can be easy to be hard on yourself when you make a mistake, but it gives you a chance to learn and improve your approach. 6. Look after yourself: We all know the importance of taking care of our wellbeing. When you get enough sleep, take breaks and find time to recharge, it gives you a clear perspective and makes it easier to see all the good work you’re doing.
November 14, 2025 at 10:04 AM
charitycomms.bsky.social
That’s a wrap on our #CharityAI conference, designed to help you feel ready and confident in using AI in your work!

Thanks to @gemmapettmanpr.bsky.social, here are three themes that sum up today’s event...
Three key takeaways from our #CharityAI conference designed to level up your AI skills, including: 1. AI for saving time – Treat AI tools as though they are a new team member – set them up for success by giving them the guidance, context and boundaries they need to perform well. Start with small, low-risk tasks and review the outputs to save time whilst maintaining quality. 2. AI for creativity – AI can expand what’s possible creatively, but the magic happens when we use clear, structured prompts and continually refine. Always keep humans in the loop to ensure our creativity doesn’t come at the expense of accuracy, accessibility and bias. 3. Test and learn – Creating an environment for experimentation is how we make the most of what AI has to offer. Track what works, what doesn’t, and why. Share the insights to create learning loops and build confidence over time.
November 13, 2025 at 5:13 PM
charitycomms.bsky.social
A new edition to our storytelling series is here with a blog for #WorldKindnessDay! Sarah Browning explores how stories of kindness can help leaders and internal communicators set your organisation's culture, with a handy kindness story checklist at the end to apply. Dive in: https://bit.ly/3JMgRGE
Open book page on a sparkly purple background featuring a quote from Sarah Browning, freelance internal comms specialist that reads: A well-told story of kindness has perhaps never been more important. The world in general feels difficult right now. Our organisations are doing amazing things, but it’s tough. So a reminder of the kindness stories [happening] can give everyone a much-needed boost.
November 13, 2025 at 10:00 AM
charitycomms.bsky.social
Our Salary & Organisational Culture Survey 2024 found that half of communicators surveyed believed their boards and senior leaders understood their work. We must continue to call on boards to tap into the comms expertise that's crucial in today's context: https://bit.ly/43jhy0x
On a green background to the left, black text reads: 54% of charity comms professionals believe boards and senior leaders understand comms. In a series of banners, text reads: CharityComms Salary and Organisational Culture Survey 2024. In collaboration with Agenda Consulting. Read our full report now. To the right, a picture of a sprouting plant from the soil.
November 12, 2025 at 3:20 PM
charitycomms.bsky.social
In this Third Sector article, our CEO, Adeela Warley explores charity resourcefulness and the importance of having a comms team by your side. Despite comms often being the first asked to justify their value, they have the very skills needed for organisational resilience: https://bit.ly/49NObaG
Adeela Warley: Being resourceful means more than budgeting
A tight financial environment may drive charities to play it safe, but does this risk watering down our impact?
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November 12, 2025 at 10:30 AM
charitycomms.bsky.social
Can’t make it to our online AGM on 26 November? As CharityComms organisational or corporate members, you can submit one proxy vote.

Take just a few minutes to complete our proxy form so we can count your vote: https://bit.ly/4okE9BN
Reminder for members to submit your proxy vote for our Annual General Meeting by 25 November in a series of orange, pink banners with orange forms and CharityComms logo.
November 11, 2025 at 3:02 PM
charitycomms.bsky.social
Who is joining us for our #InspiringComms Awards? Celebrate with us at the ceremony on 10 December via LinkedIn Live as we highlight the incredible shortlisted nominees and reveal the 2025 winners!

Come along and cheer on your peers. Register to attend here: https://bit.ly/437PGMJ
A blue background with CharityComms Inspiring Communicator Award title and logo, speech bubble with gold star inside. In an orange banner, text reads: Join the ceremony on 10 December 2025. In a white star in the bottom right, text reads: Awards shortlist now live. Logos state sponsored by Creative Concern and LinkedIn icon with CharityComms tag.
November 11, 2025 at 10:00 AM
charitycomms.bsky.social
Looking for support? Our supplier directory brings together CharityComms corporate partners in one handy place.
Whether you need strategic support or help with project delivery, visit our directory to connect with some of the best and brightest suppliers: https://bit.ly/47Jh4lG
#MembershipMonday
A stack of books on a purple background with white text that reads: CharityComms. Supplier directories - connect with the best and brightest suppliers for charities, all in one place.
November 10, 2025 at 3:02 PM
charitycomms.bsky.social
We’ve updated our AI hub – bringing together the latest practical resources, tools and insights from across CharityComms, the sector and beyond.
It's the perfect way to get a taste of what's coming for our #CharityAI conference on 13 November.
Dive in or bookmark for later: https://bit.ly/47DIb1w
On a teal, sparkly background with network lines, a series of buttons reads AI hub and level up your AI skills, with a CharityComms logo.
November 10, 2025 at 10:01 AM
charitycomms.bsky.social
Are you new to the charity sector or seeking to deepen your understanding? Join the Institute of Legacy Management for their Charity Concepts event on 15 Jan 2026. From charity governance to finances and marketing to volunteering, the agenda is packed! Find out more: https://bit.ly/3J9VnTS
Charity Concepts (January 2026)
A brand new course for 2026 and delivered by Robin Osterley from Training People, Charity Concepts is a course specifically designed for people who are new to the charity sector, or who want to consolidate their knowledge of the sector into a clear and coherent whole. They could be paid staff, volun
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November 7, 2025 at 10:00 AM
charitycomms.bsky.social
Why do communicators make great charity trustees? This #TrusteesWeek, we asked three of our trustees about the growing value of comms at the board level, the skills they bring, and why they’d recommend trusteeship. Read more: https://bit.ly/43jhy0x
Quote for Trustees Week, from our trustee Saskia Konynenburg, Executive Director of Voice and Impact at NCVO, that reads: I strongly believe that those with reputational management knowledge and experience should have a seat at decision-making tables. This is why communication professionals are such an asset to trustee boards. They are adept in helping others understand how decisions will land. Quote for Trustees Week, from our trustee Vishnee Sauntoo, freelance comms specialist, that reads: It’s about using our communications insight to help organisations connect, inspire, and stay trusted. As communicators, we don’t just craft messages — we shape how organisations are seen, understood, and believed in. Quote for Trustees Week, from our trustee Kirsty Marrins, freelance comms consultant, that reads: You get out of the role what you put in, so be clear about what you bring to the board and what you, personally or professionally, want to get out of the role.
November 6, 2025 at 4:01 PM
charitycomms.bsky.social
We're counting down the days now, with only one week to go until our #CharityAI conference! Join us to level up your skills with practical how-to sessions, real-world examples, and useful AI tools and techniques for your comms teams.
Book today (group discounts available): https://bit.ly/3JtmXed
November 6, 2025 at 10:00 AM
charitycomms.bsky.social
Amid rising online hate and disinformation, comms teams and their wider organisation are working hard to protect their online communities. From our archives, Rebecca Fitzgerald at StrawberrySocial shares nine key steps to help charities safeguard supporters and online spaces: https://bit.ly/3LpHgdC
How to keep your online communities safe
A blog from the StrawberrySocial team on the key steps every charity can take to help protect their supporters and community members online.
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November 5, 2025 at 4:01 PM
charitycomms.bsky.social
In charity comms, stress can easily become the norm. Today, on #NationalStressAwarenessDay, is a great reminder to model what healthy performance looks like – encourage rest, protect boundaries, and recognise effort, not just outcomes. Share one way your team supports wellbeing in the comments.
Three questions to ask yourself and teams, this #NationalStressAwarenessDay including: 1. Are we setting realistic expectations – for ourselves and others? 2. Do our teams feel empowered to say “I need a break” without feeling guilty? 3. Are we rewarding balance and wellbeing, or only output and speed?
November 5, 2025 at 10:30 AM
charitycomms.bsky.social
As communicators, we need to understand our friends at the top and work with them through any comms challenges.

This #TrusteesWeek, we’re taking a look back through our content archive. In this blog, Kay Parris shares top tips for getting to know your trustees: https://bit.ly/49tuIMc
Friends at the top: getting to know your trustees
If communicators want to improve the influence of comms at the top of the charity, we need to understand where our trustees are coming from and prepare to help tackle their concerns. It’s time we got to know our trustees. Help them understand the role and value of comms For Trustees Week 201
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November 4, 2025 at 4:01 PM
charitycomms.bsky.social
#NationalMentoringDay may have passed, but the effects of our mentoring scheme can be felt all year round. We recently spoke to James and their mentor Robin, who worked together through our scheme. Read the interview to discover the impact of a strong mentoring relationship: https://bit.ly/3JEWpqV
A quote from one of our mentee's, James on a blue background that reads: "It’s a really fantastic experience, I really valued that scheduled opportunity to pause, think critically, get those outside perspectives. You're getting free career advice customised to you from a professional in your field." with two coffee cups with love hearts in at the bottom of the page. A quote from one of mentors, Robin on a orange background that reads: "Just sign up [to mentor] and do it. Go into it with an open mind and be confident that your experience can be helpful to other people. We’ve all got something to offer working in this field, and I think it’s really good to be part of a community where you can help everyone develop their careers within this, it benefits all of us.." with two coffee cups with love hearts in at the bottom of the page.
November 4, 2025 at 11:35 AM
charitycomms.bsky.social
It’s #TrusteesWeek and we want to extend a huge thank you to our trustees for championing and supporting our organisation and communications in the sector.

Thank you for all that you do. Find out more about our wonderful trustees here: https://bit.ly/4qxJaZI
A collage featuring headshots of the ten members of the CharityComms Board next to text that reads: Thank you to our trustees for all you do.
November 3, 2025 at 3:02 PM