JGP News

Focusing on branding is crucial for those working for charities.

In a ThirdSector.co.uk article, Adam Woolf, managing director of copywriting agency ProseWorks, claims that as "we live in a visual world", those working for third sector bodies "must use strong visual imagery and branding" in their efforts to gain people’’s "attention and affection".

And while he acknowledges the power of pictures in creating an immediate response, Mr Woolf reminds charities that having equally strong headlines, straplines and slogans can leave a lasting impression in the public’’s mind.

Those looking to improve their skills framework when it comes to advertising may also be interested to hear his commendation of Oxfam’’s recent "Be humankind" slogan.

"It lodged in my mind because it’’s a clever pun, it’’s a positive and powerful call for action and it plays on our desire to contribute to a better world," he states.

Meanwhile, Thomas Gensemer, managing partner at Blue State Digital - the firm behind Barack Obama’’s online election campaign - recently advised UK charities to ditch sending email newsletters - and instead opt for shorter, targeted messages to their supporters.

More skills framework information.

Charity leaders believe that the third sector needs to make its presence more keenly felt in policymaking decisions at regional level, new research indicates.

A study carried out by the Institute for Public Policy Research (ippr) indicates that four-fifths of such charity professionals believe it is important to be involved in these kinds of matters at either regional or sub-regional level, ThirdSector.co.uk reports.

But in spite of the regards felt by leaders towards local policymaking, some 60 per cent of respondents believe that the voluntary sector’’s voice here is "not very well established".

Katie Schmuecker, research fellow at ippr North, said: "Given the backdrop of the recession, it is more important than ever for economic development plans to support deprived areas as well as areas of opportunity."

She adds that those working in the community and voluntary sector have "much to contribute in this respect", in news that could interest those looking to improve their skills framework.

Meanwhile, Steve Woollett, chief executive of South West Forum, recently called on third sector minister Kevin Brennan to set up nine regional funds - each worth £10 million - in addition to a £160 million central reserve, to help charities cope with increased demand for their services during the financial downturn.

More skills framework information.

The news that reality television star Jade Goody has terminal cervical cancer has resulted in an increase in demand for the support and advisory services provided by those working for cancer charities.

In a ThirdSector.co.uk article, Robert Music, director of cervical cancer Jo’’s Trust, reveals that this month has seen the number of questions sent to the medical advice service provided on its website double.

Furthermore, a record number of people joined the third sector body’’s online support forum.

A spokesperson for Cancer - You Are Not Alone, which offers information to those suffering from the condition, claims that coverage of Goody’’s condition has made an increasing number of young people become aware of the need to get tested for cervical cancer.

"I wouldn”t be surprised if we became a lot busier during the next few months," she adds.

Meanwhile, a representative of Macmillan Cancer Support claims that while the issue could help to drive fundraising efforts "in this economic climate we can”t rely on it", in news that could interest those looking to maintain sustainable efficiencies.

Earlier this week, it was suggested that the success of Academy Award-winning Slumdog Millionaire has seen increased interest from new donors in charities working to tackle poverty among inner-city children in India.

More about sustainable efficiencies.

There is debate among those working within the third sector whether charities” increasing reliance on government contracts for income is a good thing.

In a ThirdSector.co.uk article, Andy Benson, founder of the National Coalition for Independent Action, points out that while receiving taxpayers” money in itself is not undesirable, he believes that contracts "subvert both independence and the capacity for a proper partnership relationship" for voluntary groups and charities.

However, a spokesperson for the Office of the Third Sector points out that it is "great news" that charities are receiving more public service contracts.

Both of these comments follow findings from the National Council of Voluntary Organisation’’s UK Civil Society Almanac indicating that the value of such contracts rose over the course of 2006-07 to stand at £7.8 billion.

This comes as the amount of money given via voluntary service contracts in 2006-07 fell to £4.2 billion down from the £4.3 billion issued in 2005-06.

Such a decline Kevin Curley, chief executive of the National Association for Voluntary and Community Action, claims is "worrying", adding that those local councils under pressure to reduce budgets are slashing grants for voluntary groups as they see the sector as an "easy target", in comments that could interest those charities looking to improve sustainable efficiencies.

It also appears charities are increasingly borrow money, with figures from social lender Triodos revealing the value of loans given to the third sector in 2008 was some £20 million higher than that in 2007.

More about sustainable efficiencies.

Those working for charities which offer financial support to those in need are struggling with the increasing demand for their services, new research reveals.

In research carried out by Turn2us, some 85 per cent of such advisers - which includes both those with third sector jobs and private sector employees - claim to have seen a rise in the number of Britons asking for help with money management over the last six months.

However, 32 per cent of respondents claim to be unable to help all those who approach them.

Looking forward, requests for help could put an even greater strain on sustainable efficiencies, as 95 per cent of those questioned believed there will be an increase in calls for assistance over the next six months.

"As the level of need continues to rise in the current climate, it is crucial that we support these advisers and speed up the process for checking entitlement to both charitable grants and welfare benefits," Jolanta Lasota, chief executive for Turn2us, states.

Meanwhile, a recent Charities Aid Foundation study showed that more than half of third sector groups have seen a rise in the numbers of people seeking their services over the past three months as the financial crisis rumbles on.

More sustainable efficiencies.