Leigh Brimicombe
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leighbrimicombe.bsky.social
Leigh Brimicombe
@leighbrimicombe.bsky.social
Chief Influencing Officer @ The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO)
I’m beyond excited to announce this amazing partnership for #SmallCharityWeek 2025. 🎉

As finances continue to be stretched, partnering with the @biggive.bsky.social
and Globals Make Some Noise will get much-need unrestricted funding flowing into small charities.

www.ncvo.org.uk/news-and-ins...
Small Charity Week 2025: New match funding campaign to boost small charities
Let's champion the remarkable role of charities and volunteers
www.ncvo.org.uk
February 19, 2025 at 12:42 PM
More coverage today on the impact of employer national insurance hikes on charities, and the knock on affect it will have for communities across the country.

www.express.co.uk/news/politic...
Labour forces devastating jobs tax on charities with heartless eight-word reason
Voluntary organisations fear National Insurance hike will force them to cut services, but minister says Government will plough on regardless
www.express.co.uk
January 13, 2025 at 10:47 AM
I grew up in Glastonbury until I moved to uni. Over 20 years later the impact that the festival, and its organisers, have on both local and national level never ceases to amaze me.

Their contribution to arts, culture, music, community and charity can’t be understated.
December 9, 2024 at 10:06 PM
Our estimate on the cost of employer national insurance contribution increases has made its way to the commons floor.

While increases won’t come into force until next year, charities are already having to make big decisions to prepare. Ultimately that means less services for communities in need.
Culture secretary Lisa Nandy has been criticised by former civil society minister Stuart Andrew over the government’s hike in employer national insurance contributions (NICs) in a debate in parliament yesterday.
Lisa Nandy criticised by ex-charities minister over sector’s £1.4bn NICs hike
www.civilsociety.co.uk
November 29, 2024 at 1:53 PM
Reposted by Leigh Brimicombe
In a letter to NCVO and @acevo.bsky.social, Rachel Reeves confirmed the government's decision to provide exemptions to public sector employers only and not to charities
Charities will not be exempt from employer National Insurance hike, Chancellor confirms
The rise in employer NI contributions are expected to cost the sector £1.4bn per year
www.thirdsector.co.uk
November 26, 2024 at 4:33 PM
After the budget, more than 7,300 charities signed our letter with @acevo.bsky.social to the Chancellor.

Today, we received a reply. Our full statement in response, and the letter, is available online now 👇🏻

www.ncvo.org.uk/news-and-ins...
Chancellor responds to our open letter on the impact of increased employer National Insurance Contributions for charities
www.ncvo.org.uk
November 26, 2024 at 5:55 PM
It’s vital that we take this opportunity reset the relationship with government & build a constructive framework for how we work together.

No, we won’t always agree, but it’s crucial the voluntary sector has a seat at the table when policy is developed.

www.thirdsector.co.uk/government-w...
Government 'won't agree on everything' with the charity sector but wants to work with it, minister says
Stephanie Peacock, the Minister for Civil Society, hopes the government's forthcoming civil society covenant will enable the charity sector to be an equal partner in delivering a decade of renewal
www.thirdsector.co.uk
November 24, 2024 at 12:22 PM
Reposted by Leigh Brimicombe
The circumstances of the case are 'very unique', charity leaders say
Mismanagement of Captain Tom Foundation 'does not reflect the hard work of thousands of charities', leaders say
The circumstances of the case are 'very unique', charity leaders say
www.thirdsector.co.uk
November 22, 2024 at 11:24 AM
Charity campaigning is often criticised, but the Charity Commission has consistently reaffirmed its legitimacy. At our pre-election hustings, all major political parties agreed. The PM has also defended the right to campaign.

In many instances it’s the only way a charity can achieve its missions.
Craig Bennett, chief executive of the Wildlife Trusts, said at Bates Wells’ annual charity conference that there are always risks when charities campaign to achieve change. But charities need to be bold and firm when campaigning, he said, and stick to their fundamental charitable objectives.
Charities urged to consider reputational risks of not campaigning
www.civilsociety.co.uk
November 20, 2024 at 7:31 PM
We launched the 2024 Civil Society Almanac today.

Some really interesting trends and changes to how our sector is funded. It’s fair to say things aren’t settling. Small charities continue to be hardest hit, and government funding has declined.

Check it out and let me know your big takeaways!
The 2024 Civil Society Almanac found that for organisations with an annual income of less than £1m, which make up 80 per cent of the sector, the proportion of their income that came from public donations more than halved in just a year
Small charities facing ‘greater financial strain’ as public donations fall
But the sector's overall income was up 9 per cent to £69.1bn in 2021/22, new figures from NCVO show
www.thirdsector.co.uk
November 20, 2024 at 3:11 PM
Last year we raised the alarm on the ‘cost of giving crisis’ affecting the sector. Costs continue to climb, and this story is further proof that the crisis is far from over.

Some charities can survive challenges like these, thousands can’t. And it will be already hard-hit communities that suffer.
. @rspb.bsky.social is planning to close shops and make redundancies at some of its nature reserves due to rising cost pressures, it has announced
RSPB announces retail closures and redundancies amid rising cost pressures
www.civilsociety.co.uk
November 19, 2024 at 10:03 PM
If like me you work in charity comms and campaigning, check out this fab starter pack as a great way to start getting connected! Thanks @freyabarnes.bsky.social for pulling together!👇🏻
I've been followed by so many fab third sector folk lately thanks to being included in a starter pack and thought I'd share the love around.

So here's one of all the people out there shouting about social change - my fellow third sector comms people and campaigners

go.bsky.app/DBMtM8Y
November 19, 2024 at 12:57 PM
The Civil Society Almanac, launching this week, shows almost 40% of sector staff work remotely or hybrid. That’s higher than both public and private sectors.

www.thirdsector.co.uk/three-quarte...
More than three-quarters of leading charities state they offer flexible working, research suggests
The findings come from Third Sector’s first Charity Employer Index, which ranks 50 leading charities on their publicly available workplace benefits and policies
www.thirdsector.co.uk
November 18, 2024 at 10:22 AM
When you take a pic of your dog and realise you’ve somehow made her look like the girl with the pearl earring
November 16, 2024 at 9:19 PM
In all the excitement of BlueSky, am wondering if any other charity / comms people out there are struggling with idea of giving up an active and large X following?

It’s a real challenge to add another channel, especially when resources and teams are already stretched.

All thoughts welcome!
November 16, 2024 at 1:21 PM
NCVO’s UK Civil Society Almanac launches next week, and the data shows that public donations are falling.

Great to see innovations, like this vending machine, being trialled to help create new ways for public to give.

Can’t wait to see the results!

www.civilsociety.co.uk/news/uk-s-fi...
UK’s first charity donation vending machines installed
www.civilsociety.co.uk
November 15, 2024 at 12:12 PM
Want to change the way civil society works with UK government?

Now’s your chance! We need as many people as possible to join one of our many online workshops.

Share your views as we work with others across the sector to develop the Civil Society Covenant.

www.ncvo.org.uk/news-and-ins...
​​Civil Society Covenant: Join an online workshop to help shape the sector's relationship with government
www.ncvo.org.uk
November 14, 2024 at 9:01 AM
Was a pleasure talking to @civilsociety.bsky.social this week about the work we’ve been doing to support charities affected by changes to employer NICs in the budget. Check out the full story 👇🏻
Over 7,000 charities sign NCVO & ACEVO letter to chancellor over £1.4bn NICs rise as concerns spread

CFG asks charities to complete a survey on how the rise will affect them
Over 7,000 charities sign letter to chancellor over £1.4bn NICs rise as concerns spread
www.civilsociety.co.uk
November 14, 2024 at 12:13 AM
Calling all #charity folk! Looking to see who from UK #civilsociety has made their way over to Bluesky. Give me a follow and let’s start building a network!
November 13, 2024 at 11:19 PM