It's every charity's nightmare. Something really bad has happened (perhaps a major GDPR breach or some kind of serious accusation of impropriety) and you've just learned the local press have got hold of the story.

What do you do?!

Whilst it's not possible to cover every eventuality or put your mind at ease in this eventuality, this episode looks at this scenario from the point of view of a seasoned reporter.

In this instance, we talk to Ed Stilliard, an experienced news journalist with nearly two decades' experience in print and online news media.

We talk to Ed about what any charity leader's first thoughts should be, how these scenarios may play out, what news reporters most likely will and won't want and what they can and can't do.

In this extended episode we look at everything from the precise meaning of being 'off the record' to understanding the motivation of the reporter who wants to tell the public all about your worst nightmare.

Whether you've faced this kind of situation or not, you simply can't afford to miss this episode!

If you want to find out more about Third Sector Network and how we can support your charity, visit out website at ⁠www.thirdsectornetwork.co.uk⁠

Find us on ⁠Twitter⁠, ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠LinkedIN⁠ and ⁠Instagram

Fundraising and revenue generation for charities in general looks fundamentally different now than it a decade ago. Frankly, it looks unrecognizable to the situation if you go back 20 years or more.

The days of rattling collection tins on the high street or asking people to hand over loose change are numbered. Whilst contactless giving and digital donations are hardly new, they represent only a tony element of the huge range of new fundraising options currently available to charities.

In this episode, we chat to James Moir, the Chief Exec of EasyFundraising. They "partner with over 7,000 brands who donate part of what consumers spend to a cause of your choice. It won't cost the charity any extra. The cost is covered by the brand."

Basically, they're offering 'free money' to any charity that wants to try and make it!

James talks to us about the EasyFundraising model and his thoughts generally on the future of fundraising in what is becoming an almost exclusively online environment.

You can find out more about EasyFundraising via their website - www.easyfundraising.org.uk

If you want to find out more about Third Sector Network and how we can support your charity, visit out website at www.thirdsectornetwork.co.uk

Find us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIN and Instagram

Every charity, from the smallest to the biggest, has something incredibly powerful at their disposal. Something that can enthral audiences, secure support, recruit volunteers and connect with people who need help. That thing is storytelling.

In this episode, we talk to Trevor Reid from Meningitis Now. Trevor talks about what storytelling, when used effectively, can achieve for your charity. From speeches to an audience in person to a well prepared leaflet or poster.

Storytelling remains one of the most underused assets charities have. And yet, your charity doesn't need big budgets or fancy skills to make effective use of it. You don't need to have an especially creative personality or any personal skill for story writing. As Joe and Trevor discuss, the stories you want to tell reveal themselves to you simply by taking a close look at the work you do.

Trevor Reid is the Director of Fundraising and Communications for Meningitis Now. A charity with a vision for a future where no one in the UK loses their life to meningitis and everyone affected gets the support they need to rebuild their lives. Find out more about their work on their website - www.meningitisnow.org

You can find out how Third Sector Network can support your charity and the training workshops we offer in regards storytelling on our website - www.thirdsectornetwork.co.uk

You can also find us on social media via Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIN and Twitter - @mythirdsector

In this episode we talk to Elyzabeth Hawkes, the Deputy Chief Exec of the charity POhWher. She talks to us about the vitally important subject of safeguarding.

Almost all charities appreciate safeguarding is important. And yet, so many charities (especially smaller ones) do not have any formal safeguarding policies or practises in place. Too often the plan is to simply react accordingly when something goes wrong rather than having a solid and well thought out plan to be pro-active and make sure nothing goes wrong in the first place.

POhWER is a charity who provide information, advice, support and advocacy to people who experience disability, vulnerability, distress and social exclusion. They were set up in 1996 by service users who, tired of others making assumptions about their capabilities and views, wanted equal access to information and a voice of their own.

Obviously, safeguarding is an important part of their work and Elyzabeth gives us her insights into the subject and some top tips for anyone just starting out on the subject.

You can find out more about POhWER and the work they do, as well as how to support them via their website - www.pohwer.net

Digital marketing isn't really a new thing, and most of us have at least some level of insight into what it is. But, even in 2023, so many charities still steer clear of really getting properly into it for a number of reasons.

For some it's fear of the unknown. For others it's the misconception that it costs a lot. Or maybe you just don't feel it's the right fit for your charity.

Whatever your take on digital marketing is, our guest this episode (Anthony Bennet from Zync Digital Ltd) is here to explain, encourage and enthuse us all about what it can do for your charity!

So whether you don't know your Facebook from your Tik-Tok or you're simply interested in learning more, this is the podcast episode for you!

More about Zync Digital: (From their website) "Our vision is to be the leading digital marketing agency for credit unions and social enterprises in the UK - we strive to offer the very best digital services, to enable our clients to reach as many people as possible, whilst having the most social impact for the communities they serve."

Find out more on their website - www.zyncdigital.com

You can find out more about Third Sector Network and how we can help and support your charity on our website by clicking here.

Some charities and third sector organisation use procurement companies to some extent with almost everything they do. Others may (if they're entirely honest) not be entirely sure what a procurement firm actually does.

In this episode of Third Sector Success 101 we talk to David Hales from Hospice Quality Partnership Ltd. He explains to us what procurement firms do, how they can help charities and what the past few years have been like for a company there to help people get a better deal and save money.

David gives us an invaluable insight into how there are organisations (like his) out there that simply want to make your charity's life easier. And yet, many charities continue to fight their battles to stay financially secure and viable, alone.

You can learn more about David Hales' organisation, Hospice Quality Partnership Ltd on their website, www.hqp.org.uk

And they can be found on Twitter (@Hqpartnership) and LinkedIn (Profile page here)

In this episode we speak to the wonderful Careen Joseph about all things HR (Human Resources) in the world of charities. Careen works with the excellent charity, Beauty for Ashes Refuge based in Manchester. Here she talks to us about the work they do, but also what she is able to bring to a charity as a HR professional, and through that highlights what any HR professional can bring to any charity.

We talk about how so many charities have numerous staff, perhaps many volunteers, but no-one with professional HR training or experience to manage the myriad of issues that can arise (both positive and negative).

We dispel some of the myths and misunderstandings around HR and look at how much any charity, even a really small one, can improve their performance by bringing someone into the team with HR experience. Whether that's on a salaried, volunteer or trustee basis.

You can find out more about Beauty for Ashes Refuge by clicking HERE.

In this episode we talk to our guest Helen Furnivall, Managing Director of High Rise Communications. Her Manchester based company has helped a number of charities and not-for-profits with their PR, comms and more. Helen herself has a wealth of experience both in the Third Sector and supporting it from the outside.

We talk about what we mean when we say "PR"? How can support from external agencies help charities? And, what are some of the basic things any charity on any budget should consider when looking at their own PR and comms.

You can visit the High Rise Communications website by clicking here.

You can find out more about Third Sector Network and how we can help and support your charity on our website by clicking here.

We talk to Becky McKeown from Leukaemia UK all about how corporate partnerships are a valuable resource for charities. Becky explains what corporate partnerships can mean for your charity, how to approach them and what her experience has been having worked both in the business and third sector.

Leukaemia UK is an incredible charity that is leafing the fight to find a cure for leukaemia. You can learn more about them at www.leukaemiauk.org.uk 

You can find them on social media at Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

If you want to find out more about Third Sector Network and how we can support your charity, visit out website at www.thirdsectornetwork.co.uk=

Find us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIN and Instagram

Our podcast host, Joe Green, gives you a quick intro to what you can expect from our episodes.