Hello Helen

This month, we’ve been bringing together our members in a series of listening forums to reflect on the pressures charities are facing in today’s politically divided times. I chaired one of these important sessions and was struck by some of the heartfelt experiences of fear amongst staff and volunteers, and the real concern many organisations have about how they continue to deliver their missions safely. What was clear is that now more than ever we need solidarity and partnership across the sector to ensure we can overcome these challenges.

At NCVO, we’re using these insights to shape how best to support you – by strengthening our advocacy, practical resources and safe spaces for dialogue. If you have any thoughts or ideas of what we can be doing to support your organisation, do share them with us!

In other news, as Trustees’ Week approaches, we’ll be celebrating the people who keep charities strong and strategic. Plus, in this edition of The Pulse, we’re sharing the State of AI in Charities 2025 Report and offering new opportunities to connect and learn through our free webinars and resources.

NCVO in the Guardian: Standing with charities facing intimidation and abuse

Earlier this month, The Guardian highlighted the deeply worrying impact of increasingly toxic rhetoric around immigration and marginalised communities.

We joined more than 160 civil society leaders in signing a letter coordinated by Equally Ours, calling on the Prime Minister and his cabinet to stand up for charities being targeted by far-right politicians and activists seeking to divide communities for political gain.

As our Executive Director, Saskia Konynenburg, told The Guardian: “Charities are being targeted because of what they stand for and who they support.”

Throughout October, we ran listening forums to bring together organisations concerned about this issue, creating spaces to share experiences and support one another.

We continue to offer training and practical resources on safeguarding to help charities stay resilient and protected.

• Find out more and access our support.
• Read the full Guardian story.

Trustees' Week is just around the corner: Don't miss our events

Trustees’ Week (3-7 November) is just around the corner, and we’ll be celebrating the people who keep charities strong, strategic and accountable.

Join us for a week of events exploring how boards can evolve and lead with confidence - and hear fresh insights from our 2025 Governance Trends Report, shaped by feedback from over 800 people across 70 organisations.

• 4 November | Governance trends 2025: what's changing and why in partnership with Zurich
• 5 November | Board behaviours workshop (exclusive for NCVO members)
• 6 November | AI essentials
• 7 November | Trustees' Week networking: tackling today's board issues in partnership with iBabs

Read the state of AI in charities 2025 report

Artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a powerful tool for charities - helping with admin tasks, content creation and smarter ways of working. But while over half of UK charities are already using AI, many are still figuring out how it fits into their work.

Confidence, however, remains a key challenge. That’s why, in partnership with Phoenix Software, we surveyed UK charities to understand how prepared the sector is for AI and where support is needed most.

The resulting report sets out a practical way forward; from pilot initiatives and staff training to AI governance and leadership engagement, offering clear, actionable guidance for any charity ready to begin its AI journey.

• Read the full report.
• Join our free AI essentials for trustees webinar.
• Check out our free AI help and guidance.
• Book your free place on Media Trust's AI Essentials Bootcamp.

Communicating effectively with your bank: Join our free practical support webinar

Banking challenges are unfortunately common for charities and voluntary organisations across the country.

Our free webinar, delivered in partnership with the Charity Finance Group, aims to help you build confidence and gain practical tools to raise and resolve issues effectively - so you can stay focused on your mission.

You’ll learn how to:

• Engage effectively with financial services and apply best practice
• Understand the key legislation around banking for charities
• Escalate issues confidently when they aren’t resolved
• Hear real insights from a small charity that has successfully tackled banking difficulties

Charity Governance Code launches tomorrow

Tomorrow, an updated version of the Charity Governance Code will be published. The Code sets out eight universal principles of governance for charities to consider and helps to shape a common view of what good looks like.

Each of the principles describes what you’d expect to see in your charity (with 41 outcomes in total) to show your governance is working well.

Within the updated version of the code, you will find behaviours, policies, processes and practises and evidence of good governance for each of the principles enabling you to understand how to achieve these.

The updated version will be live on the website and available to download on Friday 31 October.

Creating pathways for commercial marketers into the charity sector: Join The Well Placed 2026 Programme

Following incubation support from NCVO, The Well Placed programme launched two years ago to help experienced commercial marketers move into the charity sector and use their skills for mission-driven work.

Now entering its fourth cohort in 2026, the programme attracts outstanding marketing professionals who bring strategic insight, creativity and fresh perspectives to the charities they join.

For Line Managers, often new to leadership, working alongside someone from outside the sector offers valuable development and new ways of thinking. Many Associates have since moved into permanent charity roles in Partnerships, Business Development and Grants. As a not-for-profit, The Well Placed keeps hosting costs affordable, with a lower rate of £2,500 for charities with an income below £1m.

As stated by one of its partners: “The scheme empowered us to recruit with a different perspective.”

Complete the Clinks State of the Sector Survey 2025

We’re pleased to continue working with Clinks on this important research, which plays a vital role in advocating for and championing the criminal justice voluntary sector.

• Complete the survey by 7 November.
• If your organisation needs help demonstrating its impact or expert guidance in other areas, get in touch with our consultancy and mentoring team to explore how we can support you.

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