Lucinda Rouse, Andy Ricketts and Emily Harle dissect the leading stories from the voluntary sector in 2024.Lucinda delivers a speedy round-up of the year’s charity news before the three discuss their selected top stories.&nbsp;These include the <a href="https://www.thirdsector.co.uk/british-youth-council-announces-closure-75-years/management/article/1866322" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">closure</a> of the British Youth Council and the <a href="https://www.thirdsector.co.uk/analysis-does-national-citizen-service-closure-mean-charities/management/article/1897242" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">National Citizen Service</a>, the <a href="https://www.thirdsector.co.uk/charities-propping-government-services-24bn-year-report-finds/management/article/1861856" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">finding</a> that charities are subsidising government service contracts by £2.4bn a year, and the <a href="https://www.thirdsector.co.uk/analysis-will-sectors-covenant-government-look-like/policy-and-politics/article/1893657" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">implications</a> of a new government for the sector.They share their nominations for the year’s strangest stories, namely the <a href="https://www.thirdsector.co.uk/trussell-trust-baffled-donations-mysterious-website-name-meghan-markles-new-brand/fundraising/article/1870287" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">mystery online fundraiser</a> set up for Trussell, the <a href="https://www.thirdsector.co.uk/charity-absolutely-overwhelmed-receiving-fourth-mystery-1000-cash-gift/fundraising/article/1888083" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">anonymous cash donations</a> to Bristol-based charities, and the <a href="https://www.thirdsector.co.uk/actors-charity-contacts-police-156-online-trustee-votes-location/governance/article/1859157" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">most theatrical of trustee disputes</a> at the Actors’ Benevolent Fund.They reflect on some recurring trends and learnings over the course of the year, from <a href="https://www.thirdsector.co.uk/analysis-charities-harness-social-media-trends/digital/article/1892883" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">changing social media usage</a> to redundancies and the need to include the right people in discussions about tackling racism.Tell us what you think of the Third Sector Podcast! Please take five minutes to let us know how we can bring you the most relevant, useful content. To fill in the survey, <a href="https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7102187/Third-Sector-Podcast-listener-survey" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">click here</a>.

How did the sector fare in 2024?

Lucinda Rouse and Andy Ricketts are joined by Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, to discuss the charity’s approach to fundraising, supporter engagement and advocacy.Michelle provides insight into the charity’s ongoing data and digital transformation programme: a major investment that aims to personalise supporter engagement and raise the systems surrounding it to the same level as the world-leading research funded by CRUK.She stresses the importance of promoting innovation and experimentation to deliver the impact articulated in a clear organisational strategy.Also in the episode, Andy talks about Third Sector’s latest Charity Pay Study, which identifies and ranks the sector’s highest earners using data drawn from charities’ accounts.Do you have stories of people whose lives have been transformed for the better thanks to your charity? If so, we’d like to hear them! All it takes is a short voice message to be featured on this podcast. Email <a href="mailto:lucinda.rouse@haymarket.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">lucinda.rouse@haymarket.com</a> for further information.Tell us what you think of the Third Sector Podcast! Please take five minutes to let us know how we can bring you the most relevant, useful content. To fill in the survey, <a href="https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7102187/Third-Sector-Podcast-listener-survey" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">click here</a>.

Michelle Mitchell on innovation at Cancer Research UK

Lucinda Rouse and Dami Adewale are joined by Kirsty MacDonald, deputy principal for advancement at the Royal Academy of Music, to discuss the charity’s ongoing campaign to raise £100m.Kirsty describes how the academy saw annual fundraising revenues grow from £1.5m to £18m in less than a decade, after investing in necessary systems and infrastructure including research, data and due diligence functions.She stresses the importance of fostering long-term relationships with major donors, bringing them into the wider academy family using a variety of methods including one-to-one pairings with staff in the fundraising team and beyond.The episode also features snippets from a <a href="https://www.thirdsector.co.uk/hilary-evans-newton-we-telling-story-hadnt-told-before/management/article/1898143" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">recent Third Sector interview</a> with Hilary Evans-Newton, chief executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK.&nbsp;Hilary talks about changing perceptions around dementia, the controversy caused by ARUK’s 2023 advertising campaign and the importance of role models for working mothers.Do you have stories of people whose lives have been transformed for the better thanks to your charity? If so, we’d like to hear them! All it takes is a short voice message to be featured on this podcast. Email <a href="mailto:lucinda.rouse@haymarket.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">lucinda.rouse@haymarket.com</a> for further information.Tell us what you think of the Third Sector Podcast! Please take five minutes to let us know how we can bring you the most relevant, useful content. To fill in the survey, <a href="https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7102187/Third-Sector-Podcast-listener-survey" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">click here</a>.

How the Royal Academy of Music increased its fundraising income twelvefold

Lucinda Rouse is joined by Paul Watkins, fundraising director at Leeds Hospitals Charity, to reflect on the charity’s delivery of a £6.8m appeal for a new motor neurone disease care centre.&nbsp;&nbsp;Paul describes the integral role of the late England rugby league player Rob Burrow, who was diagnosed with MND in 2019 and died earlier this year, in mobilising a community of some 17,000 individual supporters, who each donated an average of £35, and colleagues from the rugby world.Paul emphasises the importance of storytelling in motivating people to donate and explains how the charity, whose largest previous appeal was just £1.2m, was able to adapt to take up an immediate and time-sensitive opportunity.Also in the episode, Chris Sherwood, chief executive of the RSPCA, joins to talk about the latest report by the Charity Reform Group, which calls for greater representation of charity leaders in national debates.Do you have stories of people whose lives have been transformed for the better thanks to your charity? If so, we’d like to hear them! All it takes is a short voice message to be featured on this podcast. Email <a href="mailto:lucinda.rouse@haymarket.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">lucinda.rouse@haymarket.com</a> for further information.Tell us what you think of the Third Sector Podcast! Please take five minutes to let us know how we can bring you the most relevant, useful content. To fill in the survey, <a href="https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7102187/Third-Sector-Podcast-listener-survey" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">click here</a>.

How to seize an unexpected major fundraising opportunity

Lucinda Rouse and Emily Harle are joined by Fozia Irfan, director of impact and influence at BBC Children in Need, to reflect on the challenges facing charities and grantmakers in the present funding climate.Fozia describes the role of funders such as Children in Need to convene networks spread across the UK and create communities of practice to provide more holistic and structural solutions to issues such as child poverty.She stresses her belief that funders should do more than simply issue grants by using their platform to empower and, where necessary, change public perceptions about the communities they support.Also in the episode, Emily and Lucinda discuss the mixed reaction to the news that the <a href="https://www.thirdsector.co.uk/ncs-trust-sad-disappointed-government-plans-shut-down/finance/article/1895915" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">National Citizen Service programme will close</a> in March 2025.Do you have stories of people whose lives have been transformed for the better thanks to your charity? If so, we’d like to hear them! All it takes is a short voice message to be featured on this podcast. Email <a href="mailto:lucinda.rouse@haymarket.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">lucinda.rouse@haymarket.com</a> for further information.Tell us what you think of the Third Sector Podcast! Please take five minutes to let us know how we can bring you the most relevant, useful content. To fill in the survey, <a href="https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7102187/Third-Sector-Podcast-listener-survey" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">click here</a>.

Fozia Irfan on the conundrum facing funders

Lucinda Rouse and Andy Ricketts are joined by Zahra Hedges, chief executive of the youth empowerment charity Winning Scotland, and Helen Rafferty, senior programme manager at the education charity Shine.Zahra explains how a theory of change has helped Winning Scotland to identify and prioritise its most fruitful activities and reassure its board and donors. She provides insight into how the charity has developed a more streamlined data collection process.Helen describes how Shine is using a theory of change to make evaluation an integral and ongoing part of its programmes. She lays out the collaborative development process which enables stakeholders to reflect on and challenge assumptions.Also in the episode, senior reporter Emily Harle shares snippets from her interview with Acevo’s chief executive, Jane Ide, in which they discuss pay and equality in the voluntary sector following the release of Acevo's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thirdsector.co.uk/female-charity-chiefs-hitting-concrete-ceiling-gender-pay-gap-10-year-high/management/article/1895415" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Pay and Equalities Survey 2024</a>.Do you have stories of people whose lives have been transformed for the better thanks to your charity? If so, we’d like to hear them! All it takes is a short voice message to be featured on this podcast. Email <a href="mailto:lucinda.rouse@haymarket.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">lucinda.rouse@haymarket.com</a> for further information.Tell us what you think of the Third Sector Podcast! Please take five minutes to let us know how we can bring you the most relevant, useful content. To fill in the survey, <a href="https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7102187/Third-Sector-Podcast-listener-survey" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">click here</a>.

Impact measurement: theory of change

Lucinda Rouse and Emily Burt are joined by Jack Boardman, head of development at the telemarketing agency Angel, and Phoebe Cooper, marketing manager in the RSPCA’s donor development team.Jack describes the power of a telephone conversation in building rapport with new and potential supporters. He explains the fusion between digital lead generation and telephone conversion in response to changing media consumption habits.Phoebe provides insight into the RSPCA’s Gift Aid telephone campaign, which was responsible for 98.3 per cent of new Gift Aid opt-ins in its first year.Charity Changed My Life features the story of Sarah, whose participation in the Bags of Taste home cooking programme has helped her manage the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder.Do you have stories of people whose lives have been transformed for the better thanks to your charity? If so, we’d like to hear them! All it takes is a short voice message to be featured on this podcast. Email <a href="mailto:lucinda.rouse@haymarket.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">lucinda.rouse@haymarket.com</a> for further information.Tell us what you think of the Third Sector Podcast! Please take five minutes to let us know how we can bring you the most relevant, useful content. To fill in the survey, <a href="https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7102187/Third-Sector-Podcast-listener-survey" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">click here</a>.<a href="https://www.thirdsector.co.uk/podcast-transcript-telemarketing-space-evolving/fundraising/article/1895378" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Read the transcript</a>.

How is the telemarketing space evolving?

Lucinda Rouse and Dami Adewale are joined by Nadia Alomar, chief executive of Clore Social Leadership, and Beki Osborne, chief executive of Sexual Assault &amp; Abuse Support Service, Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes.Nadia describes the changes she has witnessed in voluntary sector leadership in recent years, from the effects of resource scarcity to an increased emphasis on inclusivity, wellbeing and personal development.She suggests how people with lived experience can be better supported to take up leadership roles and provides ideas for developing leadership skills on a limited budget.Beki shares the pressures she encountered on taking up her chief executive position aged 30. She calls for an overhaul of the structures governing third sector organisations to support innovation and make younger leaders feel more welcome.Also in the episode, senior news reporter Emily Harle provides insight into the Charity Commission’s <a href="https://www.thirdsector.co.uk/regulator-finds-governance-failures-mermaids-no-evidence-medical-misconduct/governance/article/1893356" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">inquiry</a> into the transgender youth charity Mermaids. She&nbsp;explains why its stipulations regarding the Cass Review might be perceived as controversial.Do you have stories of people whose lives have been transformed for the better thanks to your charity? If so, we’d like to hear them! All it takes is a short voice message to be featured on this podcast. Email <a href="mailto:lucinda.rouse@haymarket.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">lucinda.rouse@haymarket.com</a> for further information.Tell us what you think of the Third Sector Podcast! Please take five minutes to let us know how we can bring you the most relevant, useful content. To fill in the survey, <a href="https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7102187/Third-Sector-Podcast-listener-survey" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">click here</a>.<a href="https://www.thirdsector.co.uk/podcast-transcript-developing-right-leaders-modern-charity-sector/management/article/1894486" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Read the transcript</a>.

Developing the right leaders for the modern charity sector

Lucinda Rouse and Emily Burt are joined by Chris Sherwood, chief executive of the RSPCA, to reflect on his six years at the charity before he moves on to the top job at the NSPCC.Chris likens the reality of navigating the RSPCA’s significant public profile to operating in a goldfish bowl.He stresses the importance of stimulating engagement with the charity’s extensive branch network to instigate culture change and provides his thoughts on the voluntary sector under Sir Keir Starmer's Labour government.Also in the episode, Lucinda and Emily hear from Maddy Desforges, chief executive of the local infrastructure body Navca, about <a href="https://www.navca.org.uk/s114" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">new guidance</a> for charities navigating Section 114 notices.&nbsp;Do you have stories of people whose lives have been transformed for the better thanks to your charity? If so, we’d like to hear them! All it takes is a short voice message to be featured on this podcast. Email <a href="mailto:lucinda.rouse@haymarket.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">lucinda.rouse@haymarket.com</a> for further information.Tell us what you think of the Third Sector Podcast! Please take five minutes to let us know how we can bring you the most relevant, useful content. To fill in the survey, <a href="https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7102187/Third-Sector-Podcast-listener-survey" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">click here</a>.<a href="https://www.thirdsector.co.uk/podcast-transcript-chris-sherwood-growth-governance-coalitions-change/management/article/1893783" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Read the transcript</a>.

Chris Sherwood on the RSPCA's growth, governance and coalitions for change

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