@acevo.bsky.social have launched a new podcast, Leader to Leader, exploring what leadership in the charity sector needs next, and the future we want to build together. The first episode with Jane Ide and Kye Lockwood looks at how leaders can build and sustain trust. Listen here: bit.ly/3QPpWRT
Quote from a CharityComms member about finding your confidence, that reads: "Membership provides me with an invaluable network, enabling me to meet and learn from others – including other sole communicators like myself."
Quote from a CharityComms member about finding your people, that reads: "Being an organisational member is worth every penny. Many of my team have benefited from the seminars and conferences, in particular learning from mistakes has helped us be braver in our comms."
Quote from a CharityComms member about finding your client, that reads: "I have received so much value from being on the freelance directory this year. It’s brought me lots of new clients which has been so rewarding and massively appreciated."
![Quote from a CharityComms member about finding your support, that reads: "I cannot rate the [mentoring] scheme enough and am always recommending it to people in my team as I’ve found it so useful over the years."](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:a352ucw7exz6q4pzgzqwx6ks/bafkreidgaa3xd3b6e4hth4qfbe2mzeuw7rqnj4wt3vpfeuo6npbyyykshy)
Quote from a CharityComms member about finding your support, that reads: "I cannot rate the [mentoring] scheme enough and am always recommending it to people in my team as I’ve found it so useful over the years."
What does a CharityComms membership offer? Our members say it best. From freelancers finding their people, to teams growing stronger together, our membership is built to support you at every stage. Access events, content and a community of peers here: https://bit.ly/42f9qNu
#MembershipMonday
Brand decisions shouldn’t feel like guesswork. Join us at our #BrandFast on Wed 22 April to explore how to assess brand equity, challenge assumptions and make clearer, more confident decisions – with real rebrand insight. Book here: https://bit.ly/4v9nYeV
Huge thanks to Red Stone for sponsoring.
White box on a green background, with a question that reads: What's one thing you’ve stopped doing that’s helped protect your time or made your work more effective?
We all wish we had more hours in the day or week as communicators. But could growth come from doing less?
We'd love to know: what’s one thing you’ve stopped doing that’s helped protect your time or made your work more effective?
Thanks to everyone who joined us this morning. Special thanks to our wonderful host Rebs Curtis-Moss, and speakers Sean Chapman, and Jennifer Glancey and Emma Luxton at @plan-uk.bsky.social.
If you missed it, catch up on the recording soon: bit.ly/478R6bZ
Three key takeaways from our Social Media event on content lifecycles, including: 1. The pressure to constantly create can lead to treating content as a one-off output. But audiences arrive at different points in their journey, so what feels “old” internally can still be new, useful and valuable to those discovering your charity for the first time. 2. Publishing is just one stage in the content lifecycle. Analytics and regular content reviews help teams identify what worked and turn it into planned repurposing across channels, formats and audiences to drive longer-term impact. 3. Incorporating social-first content and trends isn’t always straightforward. It requires adapting trends to fit your tone and guidelines, while using existing content and messaging to respond quickly in a way that still feels authentic and aligned.
Today's #CCSocialMedia event explored content lifecycles and how to plan, adapt and reuse content so it works harder across channels, campaigns, and over time.
Here are some of the headlines.
What stood out to you? Comment below.
Our #BrandFast on 22 April will explore brand work in practice, from navigating difficult decisions to learning what drives impact. You’ll hear from Rich Corr at Red Stone on brand equity and Siobhan Gray at mndeducation.bsky.social on their rebrand journey. Book your place: bit.ly/4v9nYeV
White background with text reading: A million acts of hope. A joint initiative to counter hate and division. A pink button at the end says Join us.
Want to help make hope louder than hate? Join us in celebrating that there is more that connects us than divides us by planning your act of hope, ordering a poster and signing the UK’S biggest ever thank you card to the people that make hope happen: https://millionactsofhope.org/
#MillionActsofHope
Text on a green background introducing spotting signs of stress and burnout, along with small ways to support you and your team.
Two signs of stress and burnout, and ways to support including: Are you feeling constantly drained or exhausted? Take a moment to check in with how you feel and patterns in your energy levels. Give yourself permission to step away throughout the day, even if it's for a short break. Are you struggling to concentrate or stay motivated? This could be a sign your mind is overloaded. Try focusing on one small, manageable task and allow yourself to set everything else aside for now.
Two more signs of stress and burnout, and ways to support including: Are you becoming detached from your work? Reconnect with the impact of your work and support of others by talking things through with a colleague or peer who understands. Are you dreading work before the day has started? Give yourself space to start the day off differently by focusing on something you can control first, before easing into the rest of your workload. Also, make time for a hobby outside of work that recharges you.
Last two signs of stress and burnout, and ways to support including: Are you feeling overwhelmed but pushing through? This may be a sign you are carrying too much at once. Pause and write everything down to clear your mind, then choose one or two priorities to focus on. Are you putting off taking your annual leave? Taking annual leave is an important way to rest and reset, and planning time off can help create that space when you need it.
In charity comms, “going the extra mile” can quietly become the default. Stress does not always look like a breaking point; it often shows up in smaller ways. When it builds over time, it can turn into burnout and affect your wellbeing. Read more here: https://bit.ly/4tIEukr
#StressAwarenessMonth
Our next #CCSocialMedia event explores content lifecycles, helping you get more from what you’ve already created without burnout or repetition. Join us Thursday 16 April for practical tips and examples to use straight away. Free for members, book your place here: https://bit.ly/478R6bZ
43% of told us a manager has shaped their career most. So what makes a good manager.
Two examples of what makes a good manager, including: 1. Clear, constructive feedback - Good managers provide regular, honest feedback that helps people understand what they are doing well and how they can improve. 2. Trust and responsibility - Good managers create opportunities for people to take ownership of their work, step up and develop new skills.
Two more examples of what makes a good manager, including: 3. Championing their team and their work - Good managers advocate for their team’s contributions to be recognised and valued across the organisation. 4. Investing in learning and development - Good managers actively make time for learning, support progression and treat development as a core part of the role, not an extra.
Last two more examples of what makes a good manager, including: 5. Building people up - Good managers encourage, support and believe in their team, helping individuals grow in confidence as well as capabilities. 6. A supportive environment - Good managers create a culture where people feel confident sharing ideas, asking questions and learning from mistakes.
In a recent LinkedIn poll, 43% told us their manager had influenced their charity comms career most. Managers shape confidence, skills and long-term growth. What makes a good manager for you? Share in the comments and tag a manager who has supported your growth.
White text box on purple background with a question that reads: What feels most important to focus on right now as a freelancer?
Freelance work often means juggling what’s urgent with what matters long-term. At this point in the year, it’s a good moment to pause and reflect on what you’re working towards. What feels most important to focus on? From networking to broadening your client base, comment below. #MembershipMonday
Recently, the UK government has confirmed that certain charitable memberships – particularly in culture, heritage and visitor attractions – will be excluded from new subscription rules under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act (DMCCA). Read more about it here: https://bit.ly/4mq41wx
Grid showing nine hats charity communicators wear, including strategist, copywriter, analyst, designer, networker, storyteller, project manager, researcher, and campaigner.
In charity comms, you can often wear many hats. From shaping ideas to bringing them to life – and everything in between – it’s a role that demands constant switching.
So tell us, which hat have you worn the most this week? And which one do you wish you had more time for? Comment below.
Wellbeing at work isn't a solo effort. It's a team one. From spotting signs in a colleague to building a culture where wellbeing is openly discussed, our guide covers it all – with valuable advice and resources from across the sector. Take a look or bookmark for later: https://bit.ly/4mWUz2D
Digital Fundraising Summit 2026 text in bold orange and blue colours with a small heart and mouse icon on a pale blue backdrop.
Charity Digital’s Fundraising Summit on 14 May is a free online event bringing together experts to explore building fundraising resilience, including preparing for the unpredictable, strengthening supporter relationships and diversifying income. Register here: https://bit.ly/4bYO0dm
Title slide reading 'The Great Decoupling: Four shifts shaping digital strategy' by Liam Phillips at Creative Blend with CharityComms and Creative Blend logos.
Green backdrop with text and keywords that read: AI is reshaping how your charity websites are discovered. Answer-led search. AI overviews. Fewer clicks. High-intent users.
First two shifts including: 1. AI summaries are reducing click-throughs - When content is surfaced in AI-generated overviews, users are increasingly getting the answers they need without visiting the source website. Some studies suggest click-through rates for top-ranking pages can drop by around 30%, particularly for high-trust, informational content. 2. Lower traffic but higher intent - While AI-driven traffic may be lower in volume, it often signals stronger intent from users. People arriving via AI search are more likely to take meaningful action, making each visit potentially more valuable.
Last two shifts including: 3. Search behaviour has evolved - Search is moving from a traditional “query and link” model to an “answer engine”, where users expect direct, synthesised responses. At the same time, multimodal search is growing, with images, videos and voice playing a larger role in how content is discovered. 4. Rising costs of charity visibility - As organic reach becomes less reliable, more organisations are looking at paid channels to maintain visibility. This increased competition is driving up cost-per-click and may reduce the effectiveness of tools like Google Ad Grants.
AI has changed how people find – and engage with – charity websites. A recent blog from our knowledge hub explores “The Great Decoupling” and what it means for the sector. Liam Phillips at Creative Blend shares four key shifts shaping digital strategy. Read more here: https://bit.ly/4i8lxTN
Quote from a past attendee of a Comms Practice Studio, reads: "I found the peer support and the chance to discuss experiences and challenges with counterparts from other organisations interesting and helpful."
Quote from a past attendee of a Comms Practice Studio, reads: "I thought it was an excellent balance between useful information and practical writing/consultation in breakout groups."
Quote from a past attendee of a Comms Practice Studio, reads: "So great to have time to focus on something without the usual distractions!"
Quote from a past attendee of a Comms Practice Studio, reads: "It was really helpful to have the presentation followed by the practice. Kept it fresh."
The #CommsPracticeStudio is a place for charity communicators to actively engage and practice together. You’ll learn and put ideas into action alongside peers and your team. See what participants have said so far. Join us in the Studio on 30 April for a messaging makeover: https://bit.ly/4bOW4Ny
Looking for learning? Explore our events page to see what’s coming up in April and May. From a brand showcase to a hands-on messaging makeover and a seminar on evidence-based storytelling in polarised times. Free or discounted for members, book here: https://bit.ly/3LMydDQ
Circular diagram showing months with January to March marked as progress in black and April to December as opportunity in green.
In the months ahead, there are opportunities to: 1. Expand your knowledge and skills. 2. Test, learn, and refine your approach. 3. Build stronger relationships with your audiences and communities. 4. Grow your confidence as a communicator. 5.Develop your strategic thinking. 6. Optimise what's working. 7. Support your team and each other. 8. Collaborate with others across your organisation. 9. Connect with peers in the sector.
If you’re a busy communicator, a new month or shorter work week can trigger feelings that you’re already behind. Here’s your reminder that you have so many possibilities ahead - there are still opportunities to expand your knowledge, achieve targets, collaborate and grow your confidence.
Nearly there, folks! We hope you all have a well-earned, restful long weekend.
We will be back at #CharityComms HQ on Tuesday. Until then, our website resources are available: https://bit.ly/45OBXMt
As communicators, we play an important role in creating inclusive comms. So if you are wondering where to begin or looking for ways to improve our #AccessibleComms resource, drawing on expertise across the sector, could help: https://bit.ly/43AX6ro
Text in a white box, on a green background reads: Practical ways to build healthier charity comms cultures. With a third of charity communicators burnt out (Salary Survey, 2025).
Three out of the five practical ways highlighted in boxes, read: 1. Improve workload management – Ensure workloads are realistic and sustainable by regularly reviewing projects, priorities and team capacity. 2. Create clear boundaries – Encourage a healthy work-life balance, with regular breaks, annual leave and flexible working options. 3. Provide team autonomy and collaboration – Give team members independence, involve them in decision-making and regularly discuss priorities and support as a team.
Last two out of the five practical ways highlighted in boxes, read: 4. Deliver open communication, training and support – Create a culture where staff feel safe to speak up or ask for help and consider offering wellbeing measures, such as training and practical tools to support the team. 5. Show recognition and appreciation – Acknowledge achievements and make the case for comms involvement so its value is recognised and appreciated beyond the home team.
Initial #CCSalarySurvey findings reveal a third of charity communicators are burnt out, experiencing high stress and workloads. In a blog for Charity People, Sarah Clarke shares practical shifts to better support workload, wellbeing and the value of comms internally: https://bit.ly/4v4V5QW
Comms belongs at the top table – and age should not be a barrier. The Young Trustees Movement’s Across the Board training supports charity chairs and trustees in confidently recruiting, working with, and retaining young people in governance. Find out more: https://bit.ly/4sGBtB3
Speaking opportunities at our special interest group events, including our Internal Comms Network focused on Internal comms and wellbeing: sharing strategies for tough times. Thursday 7 May 2026. We’re looking for practical insights and approaches on how you support your colleagues through difficult times – while still protecting your own wellbeing and preventing burnout. Get in touch with Hannah at hannah@charitycomms.org.uk.
Speaking opportunities at our special interest group events, including our Creatives Group focused on briefs that work: getting the content you want. Thursday 21 May 2026. We’re looking for practical sessions and examples of how you write briefs that inspire creativity and clarify your goals – helping charity comms professionals commission photo and film content with confidence. Get in touch with Hannah at hannah@charitycomms.org.uk.
Have practical insights, examples, and lessons learned covering internal comms and creative? We’d love to hear from you. Get in touch with Hannah at hannah@charitycomms.... for special interest groups.
Retro microphone on green background next to text that reads: Take the stage at a CharityComms event. Grow your profile. Share insights. Inspire the sector.
Speaking opportunity at our Next-level Digital Engagement Conference on Thursday 9 July 2026. We’re looking for speakers who can share: Audience insights and behaviour shifts. Social and content trends that drive engagement. Practical ways to stay visible in changing algorithms. Examples of what’s working right now. How to boost authentic engagement with employee generated content. Share your insights on how you’re building stronger connections with audiences across digital channels. Get in touch with Emma at emma@charitycomms.org.uk.
Speaking opportunity at our Demonstrating Comms Impact Seminar on Thursday 8 October 2026. We’re looking for insights on: Measuring impact beyond vanity metrics. Using data to tell stronger stories. Frameworks, tools, and reporting approaches. Examples of evidencing impact in charities of all sizes. Help others prove the value of their communications work and champion its role in driving organisational impact. Get in touch with Emma at emma@charitycomms.org.uk.
Speaking opportunity at our Levelling Up: AI Skills for Charity Communicators Conference on Thursday 26 November 2026. We’re looking for sessions on: Practical AI tools and optimising workflows. Use cases in content, PR or automation. Ethical challenges around bias, trust and transparency. Lessons learned from testing AI in your team. Contribute to a mix of how-to sessions and case studies exploring the opportunities and ethical considerations of AI. Get in touch with Emma at emma@charitycomms.org.uk.
A strong sector is built on shared knowledge. Take the stage at a CharityComms event and share your insights across digital, AI and more. Get in touch with Emma at emma@charitycomms.or... to speak at our seminar or one of our conferences.
If you're a solo communicator or part of a small team, you’re likely used to punching above your weight – delivering impactful work with limited time and capacity. To support, we’ve updated our small charities resources hub with templates, content and tools – all in one place: https://bit.ly/3NMzM6a
Sheep on a blue background with the text that reads: Looking for your next role? Check out our jobs board and see where your career can take you. #MembershipMonday
Looking for your next role? Whether you’re new to the sector or looking to climb the career ladder, there are some great opportunities on our jobs board.
Discover where your career can take you: https://ow.ly/AmC950YzSZY
#MembershipMonday
Green box introducing the title: Why your charity messaging needs a makeover in 2026. Underneath includes event information, including: Comms Practice Studio on 30 April, 10:00 - 14:30, online.
Two reasons why your charity messaging might need a makeover, including: Trust. In a world where trust needs to be earned but can be easily lost, messaging plays a critical role in building and maintaining that trust. Clear, consistent messaging helps people quickly understand who you are, what you stand for, and why it matters. *Read 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer. Connection. People give to causes they feel connected with – rather than those that they're just aware of. Messaging that feels human and personal is what builds that connection and helps inspire action. *Read CAF’s UK Giving Report 2026.
Two more reasons why your charity messaging might need a makeover, including: Emotion. Emotion drives action. Research shows emotionally led messaging outperforms rational content – and with increasing AI-produced content, what feels human is even more valuable. For charities with people and stories at their core, messaging is how you can make others feel it. *Read Kantar’s Attention Beyond Views research. Relevance. Audiences expect and engage with communication that feels clear, relevant and inclusive – not one-size-fits-all. Strong messaging frameworks allow you to adapt for different audiences and channels without losing clarity or consistency. *Read Attentive 2025 Consumer Trends Report.
Final slide on messengers. While the message matters, so does the messenger. We are wired to trust people. Behavioural science shows the messenger shapes whether your audience believes, shares or acts on your message. Think about who already holds trust with your audience and how you might bring those voices into your communications. *Read more about the messenger effect in behavioural science.
In today's landscape, your messaging helps you build trust, connection and relevance. Join us in the Comms Practice Studio on 30 April for a practical messaging makeover. If you’re looking for hands‑on support, peer feedback and clearer messaging, book your place here: https://bit.ly/4bOW4Ny
Things charity communicators often wish others understood, including: 1. Trying to reach everyone often means reaching no one. 2. Requests that sound simple are rarely simple. 3. Data matters, but it doesn’t always tell the whole story. 4. Impact isn’t always visible or immediate – comms is cumulative. 5. Listening is as important as speaking.
Continued things charity communicators often wish others understood, including: 6. Urgency fatigue is real (for audiences and for communicators). 7. Much of the work happens beneath the surface. 8. Working closely to supporter stories can be both a privilege and a weight. 9. Audiences bring their own context to everything they see and hear.
There’s a lot that goes into charity communications. From navigating urgency and emotion to thinking carefully about audience, timing and tone, much of the work happens beneath the surface.
Here are a few things communicators often wish others understood – what would you add?
