JGP News

The government needs to give more financial assistance from both regional and central funds to those working for charities and voluntary groups.

In a letter to Kevin Brennan, minister for the third sector, umbrella charity body South West Forum has called for a number of funds to be created to ensure third sector organisations are able to continue through the current economic climate.

And in recommendations that could be of interest to those looking to improve their skills framework, it was suggested that nine £10 million regional funds and a central cashpot - worth £250 million - be created, ThirdSector.co.uk reports.

"There seems to be recognition that the sector has a role to play, but it doesn”t have the resources," says Steve Woollett, chief executive of South West Forum, pointing out that having regional and national funds in place would help those charities that are struggling to meet the rising demand for their services.

Furthermore, the forum claims that the voluntary sector should have a role in any regional task groups that are created in response on how to manage through the financial crisis.

Such recommendations could prove to be of particular assistance to those in the third sector after a recent study by the National Council of Voluntary Organisations showed 43 per cent of charity leaders believe the financial situation of their organisation will get worse over the next year.

More skills framework information.

Community radio can be a useful tool for those working in the third sector.

During a time when many news outlets are suffering from increased competition and falling advertising incomes, community radio is thriving, Damian Radcliffe, manager for the English regions at Ofcom, points out in a ThirdSector.co.uk article.

"For charities, community radio stations offer a number of benefits. The most obvious is that they have small but dedicated audiences," he states, which could be of benefit those wishing to improve their skills framework.

In addition, he points out that because they often broadcast to small target audiences, community stations can be ideal for charities to give media skills experience to their employees.

Mr Radcliffe reveals that since November 2005, the media regulator has granted new licenses to 187 not-for-profit groups, with such stations "run by the people for the people ".

Earlier this month, Steve Bowbrick, blogger-in-residence for the BBC, claimed that an overuse of digital marketing and social media by charities may alienate some people.

More skills framework information.

Forming links as network partners with public sector bodies can be an effective move for those operating in the third sector.

Initial findings from the National Survey of Third Sector Organisations, carried out by Ipsos MORI on behalf of the government, shows that more than half (58 per cent) of those charities which have had direct dealings with local government bodies claim that such work has had either a positive or very positive effect on their overall success.

However, it appears more could be done, as 51 per cent of all those questioned claim that public sector does not have any influence on their success.

Kevin Brennan, minister for the third sector, said: "This survey suggests that direct contact between local authorities and third sector organisations is a crucial first step to improving support to those in our society who really need it - we now need more of it".

He adds as the financial crisis continues, the third sector can make a significant difference in terms of supporting those who have been most negatively affected by the downturn and providing employment opportunities.

In related news, recent research by the Local Government Association revealed the majority of councils are working well with local faith groups.

More about network partners.

By focusing too much on digital marketing and social media, those working for charities may find they inadvertently alienate some people.

Speaking at a Social Media Exchange debate, Steve Bowbrick, blogger-in-residence for the BBC, states that in overusing tools such as podcasts and blogs, in addition to websites such as Twitter and Flick, third sector bodies may well find that they exclude those people who do not have access to the internet.

Furthermore, Mr Bowbrick claims doing so may isolate those Britons with hearing or visual impairments, ThirdSector.co.uk reports.

"There is a genuine risk that organisations could further alienate some groups," he said.

However, charities were urged to continue pushing the boundaries of social media but should consider how such tools will be used by various communities and how they can be engaged, something that may interest charities wishing to improve their skills framework.

In a previous ThirdSector.co.uk article, Dean Russell, head of digital marketing at Precedent Communications, advised that charities should use social networking websites effectively and ensure profiles on the likes Facebook are integrated into their wider strategic goals.

More skills framework information.

Those working in the third sector are worried about their organisation’’s future.

More than two-fifths (43 per cent) of leaders for charity and voluntary bodies believe their own institution’’s financial situations will get worse over the next 12 months, while 83 per cent of those questioned think the overall economic conditions are set to decline further.

The research, released by the National Council of Voluntary Organisations (NCVO), in its Charity Forecast Survey, also indicated that for the first time since the research began in March 2008, the number of leaders who are negative about their organisation’’s prospects outranks those feeling positive.

However, the majority of those questioned claim they are looking to increase the number of employees during the next three months.

"It’’s too early to tell what effect the recession will have on the voluntary sector but we anticipate a very mixed picture," Stuart Etherington, chief executive of the NCVO, says.

He adds that charities should be taking steps to diversify their sources of income, comments that could interest those wishing to improve sustainable efficiencies.

Speaking in November, Mr Etherington pointed out that those charities which collaborate well with partners have a better chance of managing through the financial crisis.

More about sustainable efficiencies.