Polly Neate
@pollyneate.bsky.social
Strategist, coach, mentor. Civil society leadership. Former CEO Shelter & Women’s Aid. NED Young Women’s Trust, Women in Sport, Wessex Local Medical Committees, feminist, paraclimber, podcaster, writer, speaker
Formal launch and first meeting of the Social Insights Panel today, thanks to @futuregovforum.bsky.social Better Way Network and the Henry Smith Foundation. Read more here ⬇️
www.civilsociety.co.uk/news/civil-s...
www.civilsociety.co.uk/news/civil-s...
Civil society leaders group launches to ‘bring expert insight’ into heart of government
www.civilsociety.co.uk
October 28, 2025 at 10:31 AM
Formal launch and first meeting of the Social Insights Panel today, thanks to @futuregovforum.bsky.social Better Way Network and the Henry Smith Foundation. Read more here ⬇️
www.civilsociety.co.uk/news/civil-s...
www.civilsociety.co.uk/news/civil-s...
New post over on my Substack (subscriptions are free): open.substack.com/pub/pollynea...
False victims: lessons from a campaign victory
If a law, a rule, or even a custom shores up power, look at it with suspicion.
open.substack.com
October 27, 2025 at 7:29 AM
New post over on my Substack (subscriptions are free): open.substack.com/pub/pollynea...
I'm truly honoured to have been recommended as a cross-bench peer by the House of Lords Appointments Commission. In this new phase of my life, I will continue to strive for the causes I have believed in and championed throughout my career.
lordsappointments.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/u...
lordsappointments.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/u...
lordsappointments.independent.gov.uk
October 22, 2025 at 2:39 PM
I'm truly honoured to have been recommended as a cross-bench peer by the House of Lords Appointments Commission. In this new phase of my life, I will continue to strive for the causes I have believed in and championed throughout my career.
lordsappointments.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/u...
lordsappointments.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/u...
Reposted by Polly Neate
"Creating sustainable social change: in today’s new world, what will it take from leaders across the private, public & civil society sectors?"
With @mds49.bsky.social, @pollyneate.bsky.social, Aline Santos Farhat)
London 01 Oct
www.citystgeorges.ac.uk/news-and-eve... #charities
With @mds49.bsky.social, @pollyneate.bsky.social, Aline Santos Farhat)
London 01 Oct
www.citystgeorges.ac.uk/news-and-eve... #charities
Creating sustainable social change – in today’s new world, what will it take from leaders across the private, public and civil society sectors? | City St George's, University of London
Join us at Bayes to learn more about how we can bring about lasting change by harnessing the collective power of leaders in the private, public and civil society sectors.
www.citystgeorges.ac.uk
September 16, 2025 at 9:26 AM
"Creating sustainable social change: in today’s new world, what will it take from leaders across the private, public & civil society sectors?"
With @mds49.bsky.social, @pollyneate.bsky.social, Aline Santos Farhat)
London 01 Oct
www.citystgeorges.ac.uk/news-and-eve... #charities
With @mds49.bsky.social, @pollyneate.bsky.social, Aline Santos Farhat)
London 01 Oct
www.citystgeorges.ac.uk/news-and-eve... #charities
Reposted by Polly Neate
Caught @pollyneate.bsky.social latest substack post this morning, sharing in support:
“Being concerned about immigration doesn’t make you a racist”
substack.com/@pollyneate/...
“Being concerned about immigration doesn’t make you a racist”
substack.com/@pollyneate/...
“Being concerned about immigration doesn’t make you a racist”
I’ve read and heard this a few times lately.
substack.com
August 28, 2025 at 9:34 AM
Caught @pollyneate.bsky.social latest substack post this morning, sharing in support:
“Being concerned about immigration doesn’t make you a racist”
substack.com/@pollyneate/...
“Being concerned about immigration doesn’t make you a racist”
substack.com/@pollyneate/...
So large numbers of racist rioting men are also violent to their female partners. Who knew?
Well, the entirety of what’s known as the “VAWG” (violence against women and girls) sector knew, for a start…
Want to read more? You can over on my Substack: open.substack.com/pub/pollynea...
Well, the entirety of what’s known as the “VAWG” (violence against women and girls) sector knew, for a start…
Want to read more? You can over on my Substack: open.substack.com/pub/pollynea...
Crisis? What crisis?
So large numbers of racist rioting men are also violent to their female partners.
open.substack.com
July 30, 2025 at 7:27 AM
So large numbers of racist rioting men are also violent to their female partners. Who knew?
Well, the entirety of what’s known as the “VAWG” (violence against women and girls) sector knew, for a start…
Want to read more? You can over on my Substack: open.substack.com/pub/pollynea...
Well, the entirety of what’s known as the “VAWG” (violence against women and girls) sector knew, for a start…
Want to read more? You can over on my Substack: open.substack.com/pub/pollynea...
Reposted by Polly Neate
At @futuregovforum.bsky.social we were delighed to announce our own new initiative alongside the Covenant:
A new 'Social Insights Panel', led by @pollyneate.bsky.social, to bring civil society expertise to bear on x-cutting, 'wicked' challenges
futuregovforum.substack.com/p/announcing...
A new 'Social Insights Panel', led by @pollyneate.bsky.social, to bring civil society expertise to bear on x-cutting, 'wicked' challenges
futuregovforum.substack.com/p/announcing...
Announcing the Social Insights Panel: a new FGF project led by Polly Neate
(Picture credit: Honor Elliot)
futuregovforum.substack.com
July 21, 2025 at 9:57 AM
At @futuregovforum.bsky.social we were delighed to announce our own new initiative alongside the Covenant:
A new 'Social Insights Panel', led by @pollyneate.bsky.social, to bring civil society expertise to bear on x-cutting, 'wicked' challenges
futuregovforum.substack.com/p/announcing...
A new 'Social Insights Panel', led by @pollyneate.bsky.social, to bring civil society expertise to bear on x-cutting, 'wicked' challenges
futuregovforum.substack.com/p/announcing...
Reposted by Polly Neate
Really pleased we can announce his today to coincide with the govt’s new civil society covenant - and looking forward to getting cracking with @pollyneate.bsky.social on this next week!
The Social Insights Panel led by FGF Policy Associate @pollyneate.bsky.social (backed by the Henry Smith Foundation) will influence & support the government’s work to address “wicked” challenges starting with a focus on the Test, Learn & Grow programme ⬇️
futuregovforum.substack.com/p/announcing...
futuregovforum.substack.com/p/announcing...
Announcing the Social Insights Panel: a new FGF project led by Polly Neate
(Picture credit: Honor Elliot)
futuregovforum.substack.com
July 17, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Really pleased we can announce his today to coincide with the govt’s new civil society covenant - and looking forward to getting cracking with @pollyneate.bsky.social on this next week!
Excited to announce this project with the Future Governance Forum today, in the wake of the government’s launch this week of the Civil Society Covenant and phase 2 of the Test, Learn & Grow approach to public service reform. Check it out on Substack:
substack.com/@pollyneate/...
substack.com/@pollyneate/...
Polly Neate (@pollyneate)
Very excited to be helping ensure the government’s public sector reforms have civil society wisdom to draw upon ⬇️
substack.com
July 17, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Excited to announce this project with the Future Governance Forum today, in the wake of the government’s launch this week of the Civil Society Covenant and phase 2 of the Test, Learn & Grow approach to public service reform. Check it out on Substack:
substack.com/@pollyneate/...
substack.com/@pollyneate/...
People on the frontline @sheltercharity.bsky.social see the racism of the housing system devastating lives daily. But to get change it’s not enough to know something, you have to prove it. Hence this important work by @heriotwattuni.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Black people in England four times as likely to face homelessness, study finds
Black people also less likely than white people to get social housing and can face ‘overt racism’ from private landlords
www.theguardian.com
July 11, 2025 at 7:04 AM
People on the frontline @sheltercharity.bsky.social see the racism of the housing system devastating lives daily. But to get change it’s not enough to know something, you have to prove it. Hence this important work by @heriotwattuni.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Last week I had a powerful experience: a private discussion at @bristoluni.bsky.social of alumni and staff involved in the “Vincent Out” protests of 1986 and their (considerable) aftermath. My reflections on what I’ve learned both then and since are on my Substack: open.substack.com/pub/pollyneate…
https://open.substack.com/pub/pollyneate…
July 9, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Last week I had a powerful experience: a private discussion at @bristoluni.bsky.social of alumni and staff involved in the “Vincent Out” protests of 1986 and their (considerable) aftermath. My reflections on what I’ve learned both then and since are on my Substack: open.substack.com/pub/pollyneate…
One year since the Labour landslide - I’m swimming against the tide with my usual undeterred optimism. Check out my post over on Substack: open.substack.com/pub/pollynea...
The year of great expectations
It's a year since the Labour government won its landslide and Keir Starmer became Prime Minister.
open.substack.com
July 4, 2025 at 10:11 AM
One year since the Labour landslide - I’m swimming against the tide with my usual undeterred optimism. Check out my post over on Substack: open.substack.com/pub/pollynea...
Great piece by @sambowman.co in @theguardian.com - though I think you’ll find that the gains from fixing housing aren’t bigger than *anyone* imagined (see pic)😉
www.theguardian.com/books/2022/j...
www.theguardian.com/books/2022/j...
July 1, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Great piece by @sambowman.co in @theguardian.com - though I think you’ll find that the gains from fixing housing aren’t bigger than *anyone* imagined (see pic)😉
www.theguardian.com/books/2022/j...
www.theguardian.com/books/2022/j...
I wrote on Substack about why leaders should be free to change their minds. In fact, encouraged to when it’s so often the only rational response in our weird world. open.substack.com/pub/pollyneate…
https://open.substack.com/pub/pollyneate…
June 23, 2025 at 6:41 PM
I wrote on Substack about why leaders should be free to change their minds. In fact, encouraged to when it’s so often the only rational response in our weird world. open.substack.com/pub/pollyneate…
The biggest step forward in abortion rights for decades. Congratulations @BPAS1968 @fawcettsociety and the whole coalition of women’s and medical organisations who supported this www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
MPs vote to decriminalise abortion in step forward for reproductive rights
Amendment to crime and policing bill will change law to end prosecution of women who terminate pregnancies
www.theguardian.com
June 18, 2025 at 6:41 AM
The biggest step forward in abortion rights for decades. Congratulations @BPAS1968 @fawcettsociety and the whole coalition of women’s and medical organisations who supported this www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Successful campaigns and clear, ambitious, well communicated organisational strategy are two sides of a coin, not two separate things. I’ve teamed up with Forster Communications to help non-profits get this right.
www.linkedin.com/posts/forste...
www.linkedin.com/posts/forste...
Charities in the UK and globally are facing the same turbulence confronting pretty much every sector of our society and economy at the moment. | Forster Communications
Charities in the UK and globally are facing the same turbulence confronting pretty much every sector of our society and economy at the moment. While it is tempting to view this instability as a relati...
www.linkedin.com
June 12, 2025 at 6:39 AM
Successful campaigns and clear, ambitious, well communicated organisational strategy are two sides of a coin, not two separate things. I’ve teamed up with Forster Communications to help non-profits get this right.
www.linkedin.com/posts/forste...
www.linkedin.com/posts/forste...
A big step in the right direction. What a relief. This is the biggest boost to social housing for a generation, a major advance for social justice and a genuine strike against homelessness
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Rachel Reeves to unveils £39bn housing boost in spending review shake-up
Chancellor promises biggest investment in social and affordable homes in a generation to hit 1.5m target
www.theguardian.com
June 10, 2025 at 10:15 PM
A big step in the right direction. What a relief. This is the biggest boost to social housing for a generation, a major advance for social justice and a genuine strike against homelessness
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
“NHS budget to rise in spending review at expense of other services”
Let’s hope it’s not at the expense of housing. Homes (or lack of) that make people physically and mentally ill will eat up this NHS investment and more.
www.thetimes.com/article/abb4...
Let’s hope it’s not at the expense of housing. Homes (or lack of) that make people physically and mentally ill will eat up this NHS investment and more.
www.thetimes.com/article/abb4...
NHS budget to rise in spending review at expense of other services
Though the Department of Health will be the biggest winner next week, health chiefs warn the £30 billion increase may not be enough to meet Labour’s pledges
www.thetimes.com
June 7, 2025 at 8:02 AM
“NHS budget to rise in spending review at expense of other services”
Let’s hope it’s not at the expense of housing. Homes (or lack of) that make people physically and mentally ill will eat up this NHS investment and more.
www.thetimes.com/article/abb4...
Let’s hope it’s not at the expense of housing. Homes (or lack of) that make people physically and mentally ill will eat up this NHS investment and more.
www.thetimes.com/article/abb4...
Civil society leader looking ahead to the party conferences? I posted six tips over on linked in: linkedin.com/posts/polly-ne…
And I’ve got lots more tbh
And I’ve got lots more tbh
https://linkedin.com/posts/polly-ne…
June 5, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Civil society leader looking ahead to the party conferences? I posted six tips over on linked in: linkedin.com/posts/polly-ne…
And I’ve got lots more tbh
And I’ve got lots more tbh
Spot on from the Guardian.
Wall to wall in yesterday’s news was the ugly sight of the worst conditions in social housing. Part of the irrefutable case for more social homes. More and better. 1. It can be done. 2. Cutting homelessness is impossible without it.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Wall to wall in yesterday’s news was the ugly sight of the worst conditions in social housing. Part of the irrefutable case for more social homes. More and better. 1. It can be done. 2. Cutting homelessness is impossible without it.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The Guardian view on social housing: invest boldly to tackle ‘simmering anger’ about substandard homes
Editorial: Two weeks before the spending review, the housing ombudsman has issued an important warning about a deepening crisis and growing human misery
www.theguardian.com
May 30, 2025 at 6:33 AM
Spot on from the Guardian.
Wall to wall in yesterday’s news was the ugly sight of the worst conditions in social housing. Part of the irrefutable case for more social homes. More and better. 1. It can be done. 2. Cutting homelessness is impossible without it.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Wall to wall in yesterday’s news was the ugly sight of the worst conditions in social housing. Part of the irrefutable case for more social homes. More and better. 1. It can be done. 2. Cutting homelessness is impossible without it.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The 10th anniversary of ine of my career campaigning highlights over the last week led me to get all controversial over on Substack open.substack.com/pub/pollynea...
Content warning: feminism
This week saw the 10th anniversary of this iconic campaign which was undoubtedly the turning point in the struggle by Women's Aid Federation of England to get the government to throw a financial lifel...
open.substack.com
May 25, 2025 at 9:13 AM
The 10th anniversary of ine of my career campaigning highlights over the last week led me to get all controversial over on Substack open.substack.com/pub/pollynea...
I’ve seen this first hand, in myself and others. I sought out such moments in London. Now I’m in nature every day, they just happen. I’m old enough to remember when those benefits were just assumed and young people who had less access to them were given opportunities
www.thetimes.com/article/fc6d...
www.thetimes.com/article/fc6d...
Feeling blue? Daily doses of awe ‘fend off depression and stress’
Everyday moments of awe-inspiring wonder may offer a simple, drug-free boost to mental health, a study suggests
www.thetimes.com
May 19, 2025 at 7:11 AM
I’ve seen this first hand, in myself and others. I sought out such moments in London. Now I’m in nature every day, they just happen. I’m old enough to remember when those benefits were just assumed and young people who had less access to them were given opportunities
www.thetimes.com/article/fc6d...
www.thetimes.com/article/fc6d...
Reposted by Polly Neate
Thank you @sheltercharity.bsky.social for inviting me to say farewell to the great @pollyneate.bsky.social and welcome to fab new CEO Sarah Elliott
May 15, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Thank you @sheltercharity.bsky.social for inviting me to say farewell to the great @pollyneate.bsky.social and welcome to fab new CEO Sarah Elliott
I’ve been in this building quite a few times in various roles, but today is the first time I’ve ever seen #LarryTheCat - I kind of thought he was a myth. But nope, he’s real - almost tripped over him on the doorstep!
May 14, 2025 at 1:30 PM
I’ve been in this building quite a few times in various roles, but today is the first time I’ve ever seen #LarryTheCat - I kind of thought he was a myth. But nope, he’s real - almost tripped over him on the doorstep!
So excited & proud to see these @sheltercharity.bsky.social posters in Westminster station today! You can help ensure a new generation has the opportunities a safe home brings. It’s a right - or it should be.
#InvestInSocialHousing
#HomeIsEverything
campaigns.shelter.org.uk/chancellor-i...
#InvestInSocialHousing
#HomeIsEverything
campaigns.shelter.org.uk/chancellor-i...
May 14, 2025 at 1:28 PM
So excited & proud to see these @sheltercharity.bsky.social posters in Westminster station today! You can help ensure a new generation has the opportunities a safe home brings. It’s a right - or it should be.
#InvestInSocialHousing
#HomeIsEverything
campaigns.shelter.org.uk/chancellor-i...
#InvestInSocialHousing
#HomeIsEverything
campaigns.shelter.org.uk/chancellor-i...