Nicole Sykes
@nicolesykes.bsky.social
Charities, charts, cats.
Director of Policy, Communications and Research at Lloyds Bank Foundation. She/her🏳️🌈
Director of Policy, Communications and Research at Lloyds Bank Foundation. She/her🏳️🌈
An email from Lewisham council, after four stabbings in Catford this week. Entitled “Mayor of Lewisham addresses serious incidents in Catford”
This is. Not how to comms. No. God no.
This is. Not how to comms. No. God no.
October 23, 2025 at 5:05 PM
An email from Lewisham council, after four stabbings in Catford this week. Entitled “Mayor of Lewisham addresses serious incidents in Catford”
This is. Not how to comms. No. God no.
This is. Not how to comms. No. God no.
But the species has seeded agents of chaos for whom the belly is not a trap. Indeed, cats for whom belly rubs are the whole focus of their existence.
Like a cat tombola full of knives, you eventually withdraw a toy. Just to lull you into a false sense of security.
Like a cat tombola full of knives, you eventually withdraw a toy. Just to lull you into a false sense of security.
July 19, 2025 at 1:01 PM
But the species has seeded agents of chaos for whom the belly is not a trap. Indeed, cats for whom belly rubs are the whole focus of their existence.
Like a cat tombola full of knives, you eventually withdraw a toy. Just to lull you into a false sense of security.
Like a cat tombola full of knives, you eventually withdraw a toy. Just to lull you into a false sense of security.
The Prime Minister has just announced £53mn of funding to the Drive Project, which does amazing - well-evidenced - work preventing domestic abuse.
@lbfew.bsky.social are privileged to have put the first £1mn of philanthropic funds into Drive, & utterly delighted to see government back it to scale.
@lbfew.bsky.social are privileged to have put the first £1mn of philanthropic funds into Drive, & utterly delighted to see government back it to scale.
July 17, 2025 at 9:58 AM
The Prime Minister has just announced £53mn of funding to the Drive Project, which does amazing - well-evidenced - work preventing domestic abuse.
@lbfew.bsky.social are privileged to have put the first £1mn of philanthropic funds into Drive, & utterly delighted to see government back it to scale.
@lbfew.bsky.social are privileged to have put the first £1mn of philanthropic funds into Drive, & utterly delighted to see government back it to scale.
The boss opening up a major event bringing government and civil society on how we deliver change together.
Our communities are filled with hopeful, determined people transforming lives. Let’s rebalance between the market, state and civil society.
Our communities are filled with hopeful, determined people transforming lives. Let’s rebalance between the market, state and civil society.
July 17, 2025 at 9:44 AM
The boss opening up a major event bringing government and civil society on how we deliver change together.
Our communities are filled with hopeful, determined people transforming lives. Let’s rebalance between the market, state and civil society.
Our communities are filled with hopeful, determined people transforming lives. Let’s rebalance between the market, state and civil society.
There’s an ESG manager out there somewhere who knows they’re never going to top this initiative. They peaked with this.
July 13, 2025 at 8:37 AM
There’s an ESG manager out there somewhere who knows they’re never going to top this initiative. They peaked with this.
Yes there's evidence; volunteering levels ain't doing well.
There is some regional variation in formal volunteering (in organisations) - higher in South West, South East and East of England - and much more in rural areas than urban.
There is some regional variation in formal volunteering (in organisations) - higher in South West, South East and East of England - and much more in rural areas than urban.
May 4, 2025 at 10:52 AM
Yes there's evidence; volunteering levels ain't doing well.
There is some regional variation in formal volunteering (in organisations) - higher in South West, South East and East of England - and much more in rural areas than urban.
There is some regional variation in formal volunteering (in organisations) - higher in South West, South East and East of England - and much more in rural areas than urban.
My reply dudes who think I should go back to ironing shirts and let nature take its course can come listen to this lil guy screaming outside their window.
April 27, 2025 at 6:20 PM
My reply dudes who think I should go back to ironing shirts and let nature take its course can come listen to this lil guy screaming outside their window.
I adore my church community cafe. I’m provably a massive fan of volunteer-led social infrastructure.
The roaring Easter fire animation with the demented rabbits staring at me over their hot chocolates is threatening to overthrow my stance on the whole sector.
The roaring Easter fire animation with the demented rabbits staring at me over their hot chocolates is threatening to overthrow my stance on the whole sector.
April 26, 2025 at 12:58 PM
I adore my church community cafe. I’m provably a massive fan of volunteer-led social infrastructure.
The roaring Easter fire animation with the demented rabbits staring at me over their hot chocolates is threatening to overthrow my stance on the whole sector.
The roaring Easter fire animation with the demented rabbits staring at me over their hot chocolates is threatening to overthrow my stance on the whole sector.
Worth the lightning strike.
April 18, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Worth the lightning strike.
Downside of #Anthropy: you’re contentedly listening to stats about the economic costs of a lack of belonging, and your nervous system would like you to know there’s a predator in the trees 😂 #spotthecat
March 26, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Downside of #Anthropy: you’re contentedly listening to stats about the economic costs of a lack of belonging, and your nervous system would like you to know there’s a predator in the trees 😂 #spotthecat
“Our country’s third pillar of civil society is essential,” says @thisismatthyde.bsky.social of @lbfew.bsky.social at #anthropy calling for cross-sector focus on growing giving and partnership with purpose-driven business to unlock greater financial and human capital.
March 26, 2025 at 10:35 AM
“Our country’s third pillar of civil society is essential,” says @thisismatthyde.bsky.social of @lbfew.bsky.social at #anthropy calling for cross-sector focus on growing giving and partnership with purpose-driven business to unlock greater financial and human capital.
Receipt of disability benefits substantially improves people's quality of life.
But not for all.
Disability benefits improve life satisfaction for those with selfreported poor health by 1.2pts (on 1-10scale). But those with good health experience no significant benefit. Better targeting possible?
But not for all.
Disability benefits improve life satisfaction for those with selfreported poor health by 1.2pts (on 1-10scale). But those with good health experience no significant benefit. Better targeting possible?
March 6, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Receipt of disability benefits substantially improves people's quality of life.
But not for all.
Disability benefits improve life satisfaction for those with selfreported poor health by 1.2pts (on 1-10scale). But those with good health experience no significant benefit. Better targeting possible?
But not for all.
Disability benefits improve life satisfaction for those with selfreported poor health by 1.2pts (on 1-10scale). But those with good health experience no significant benefit. Better targeting possible?
A criminally underused phrase in English literature.
December 9, 2024 at 3:04 PM
A criminally underused phrase in English literature.
Great survey question. Comprehensive options. No notes.
December 5, 2024 at 8:53 PM
Great survey question. Comprehensive options. No notes.
Keir Starmer takes the stage to share the next steps of his missions.
Good to see a strong civil society contingent here today.
Good to see a strong civil society contingent here today.
December 5, 2024 at 11:18 AM
Keir Starmer takes the stage to share the next steps of his missions.
Good to see a strong civil society contingent here today.
Good to see a strong civil society contingent here today.
Really in the final hours of employment now.
Who even knew Outlook did that?
Who even knew Outlook did that?
December 4, 2024 at 3:34 PM
Really in the final hours of employment now.
Who even knew Outlook did that?
Who even knew Outlook did that?
LUCKILY. This week's @probonoecon.bsky.social first Annual Wellbeing report takes a deep dive into the people in the UK with the lowest wellbeing, and allows us to understand what the biggest drivers of low wellbeing are.
Mental health, loneliness & physical health all stand out as the biggest 2/3
Mental health, loneliness & physical health all stand out as the biggest 2/3
December 1, 2024 at 10:29 AM
LUCKILY. This week's @probonoecon.bsky.social first Annual Wellbeing report takes a deep dive into the people in the UK with the lowest wellbeing, and allows us to understand what the biggest drivers of low wellbeing are.
Mental health, loneliness & physical health all stand out as the biggest 2/3
Mental health, loneliness & physical health all stand out as the biggest 2/3
This week's English Housing Survey shows the differences in wellbeing of people in different housing situations.
But the average homeowner is demographically, financially, etc different from the average local authority tenant. So can we isolate the effect of housing on your wellbeing? 1/3
But the average homeowner is demographically, financially, etc different from the average local authority tenant. So can we isolate the effect of housing on your wellbeing? 1/3
December 1, 2024 at 10:18 AM
This week's English Housing Survey shows the differences in wellbeing of people in different housing situations.
But the average homeowner is demographically, financially, etc different from the average local authority tenant. So can we isolate the effect of housing on your wellbeing? 1/3
But the average homeowner is demographically, financially, etc different from the average local authority tenant. So can we isolate the effect of housing on your wellbeing? 1/3
This is borne out in the data.
In couples, 3 in 5 mothers of non-disabled children are in full time work compared to 2 in 5 mothers of non-disabled children.
And it affects pay. Coupled parents of disabled children earn, on average, £274 less from work weekly than couples with non-disabled kids.
In couples, 3 in 5 mothers of non-disabled children are in full time work compared to 2 in 5 mothers of non-disabled children.
And it affects pay. Coupled parents of disabled children earn, on average, £274 less from work weekly than couples with non-disabled kids.
November 27, 2024 at 10:30 AM
This is borne out in the data.
In couples, 3 in 5 mothers of non-disabled children are in full time work compared to 2 in 5 mothers of non-disabled children.
And it affects pay. Coupled parents of disabled children earn, on average, £274 less from work weekly than couples with non-disabled kids.
In couples, 3 in 5 mothers of non-disabled children are in full time work compared to 2 in 5 mothers of non-disabled children.
And it affects pay. Coupled parents of disabled children earn, on average, £274 less from work weekly than couples with non-disabled kids.
Immaculate weekend vibes on display in this household.
November 23, 2024 at 11:12 AM
Immaculate weekend vibes on display in this household.
More or less. In the year we focused on (2021/22), 5,600 tribunals went to court, 1,100 were withdrawn by the parent/YP and 2,400 were conceded by the LA.
We got this interesting data which looked at why and when appeals were lodged, which I thought was interesting.
We got this interesting data which looked at why and when appeals were lodged, which I thought was interesting.
November 22, 2024 at 9:32 AM
More or less. In the year we focused on (2021/22), 5,600 tribunals went to court, 1,100 were withdrawn by the parent/YP and 2,400 were conceded by the LA.
We got this interesting data which looked at why and when appeals were lodged, which I thought was interesting.
We got this interesting data which looked at why and when appeals were lodged, which I thought was interesting.
Pleased to see @probonoecon.bsky.social’s research into SEND appeals featured in @pmdfoster.bsky.social’s newsletter this week.
£60-80mn wasted by LAs and courts fighting EHCP cases LAs almost invariably lose
👀 www.probonoeconomics.com/wasting-mone...
£60-80mn wasted by LAs and courts fighting EHCP cases LAs almost invariably lose
👀 www.probonoeconomics.com/wasting-mone...
November 22, 2024 at 9:12 AM
Pleased to see @probonoecon.bsky.social’s research into SEND appeals featured in @pmdfoster.bsky.social’s newsletter this week.
£60-80mn wasted by LAs and courts fighting EHCP cases LAs almost invariably lose
👀 www.probonoeconomics.com/wasting-mone...
£60-80mn wasted by LAs and courts fighting EHCP cases LAs almost invariably lose
👀 www.probonoeconomics.com/wasting-mone...
There are lots of lessons for other governments to learn about deepening relationships with the charities.
Ministers & officials are expected to promote the interests of the voluntary sector in their work & decision making. That’s set out in statute.
Brilliant to have WCVA’s CEO at #PBEEvents
Ministers & officials are expected to promote the interests of the voluntary sector in their work & decision making. That’s set out in statute.
Brilliant to have WCVA’s CEO at #PBEEvents
November 21, 2024 at 12:24 PM
There are lots of lessons for other governments to learn about deepening relationships with the charities.
Ministers & officials are expected to promote the interests of the voluntary sector in their work & decision making. That’s set out in statute.
Brilliant to have WCVA’s CEO at #PBEEvents
Ministers & officials are expected to promote the interests of the voluntary sector in their work & decision making. That’s set out in statute.
Brilliant to have WCVA’s CEO at #PBEEvents
Saskia Konyenburg from NCVO & Becky Morrison from DCMS emphasise the need for cross-departmental work on civil society, given its importance to every part of gov.
(Yes, when we talk about partnership, we literally make government & charities share a microphone. Efficiency both sectors approve of)
(Yes, when we talk about partnership, we literally make government & charities share a microphone. Efficiency both sectors approve of)
November 21, 2024 at 12:05 PM
Saskia Konyenburg from NCVO & Becky Morrison from DCMS emphasise the need for cross-departmental work on civil society, given its importance to every part of gov.
(Yes, when we talk about partnership, we literally make government & charities share a microphone. Efficiency both sectors approve of)
(Yes, when we talk about partnership, we literally make government & charities share a microphone. Efficiency both sectors approve of)
“The case for government collaborating with charities is incredibly compelling. And when you’re trying to improve the lives of our youngest children and families most in need, it’s also incredibly important,” says Mark Rooney from the Department for Education, who led on Family Hubs #PBEEvents
November 21, 2024 at 11:45 AM
“The case for government collaborating with charities is incredibly compelling. And when you’re trying to improve the lives of our youngest children and families most in need, it’s also incredibly important,” says Mark Rooney from the Department for Education, who led on Family Hubs #PBEEvents