Charity Reform Group
government and business
Who was Sheila McKechnie?
Sheila McKechnie described herself as a ‘fully paid up member of the awkward squad’. This mind-set, combined with formidable research and a commitment to constructing watertight argument, meant that her campaigning powers were legendary. SMK was created to honour Sheila after she died of cancer in January 2004 at the age of 55. Her dedication, tenacity and spirit live on in the work we do.
Essays
In January 2024, Keir Starmer and his team spent a day with over 100 third sector leaders, reconnecting with us after 14 years away from Government. Tinuke Awe, co-founder of Five X More, took to the stage. Her charity is dedicated to transforming maternal outcomes, righting the wrong that ...
The Foundling Museum, celebrates what may have been the country’s first children’s charity. In equal measures it is inspiring in its intention and horrifying in its history.Created around the mid-1700s, the charity is a great example of the wealthy with the means taking care of those most ...
Charities can play a unique role in tackling complex social challenges. Their charitable purpose gives them the targeted focus to really get under the skin of a long-term issue and explore its causes and potential solutions. Of course, all organisations have a purpose – but at their best, ...
The turbulence of the past decade, with its divisive politics and unprecedented global challenges, has threatened and undermined the place of the voluntary sector in our society. Charities have too often become the collateral damage of culture wars, with too many politicians and public figures ...
Anyone needing support, assistance, a shoulder to cry on, or a service, is unlikely to distinguish between the sectors that we so artificially separate into. These separations are often designed to create division, turf protection, and organisational boundaries to make life easier for ...
In July, a new Government was formed in Westminster, becoming first-time parents (of sorts) to the nation. Becoming a parent for the first time can be joyous and overwhelming. It’s the start of something new, a transition, and at best, a time of hope for the future. At NCT, we work hard to
It’s frightening but true that we need to be reminded about why charities are here. The history of our sector is not one of pure service provision, only there to meet the immediate needs of individuals. Charities are founded to change something. There’s a truism that we should be working to put
At the Children’s Society, we’re hungry to make immediate change alongside children and young people, but we’re pragmatic enough to know that deep and lasting change is a long-term, collective effort. About ten years ago, we set up a youth-led Commission on Poverty. This group of young ...
When things are going well, the relationship between charities and government is easy. Everybody loves a nice, cuddly charity. We do good work and it’s mutually beneficial for governments to be associated with us – kudos, profile, and photo opportunities all round! If only everything in ...
Asylum is such a contentious area of policymaking that political leaders face an obvious choice – approach it with cool-heads and nuance, or utilise its potential divisiveness. This decision sets the tone for public debate, which is why charities need to take the long view of issues that are ...
There has arguably never been a harder time to run a charity. The economic climate has seen demand for support rise sharply, and the impact of systemic inequality is resulting in more complex and challenging caseloads. While public donations have fallen, inflation is driving up operating costs ...