https://www.theguardian.com/society/voluntarysector Latest news and features from theguardian.com, the world's leading liberal voice en-gb Guardian News &amp; Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2026 Sat, 13 Jun 2026 00:21:30 GMT 2026-06-13T00:21:30Z en-gb Guardian News &amp; Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2026 https://assets.guim.co.uk/images/guardian-logo-rss.c45beb1bafa34b347ac333af2e6fe23f.png https://www.theguardian.com https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/jun/10/charities-in-england-and-wales-donate-millions-to-israeli-settlements <p>MP Melanie Ward calls on Charity Commission to look into 32 organisations she says have given at least £28m</p><p>Thirty-two charities in England and Wales have donated at least £28m to Israeli settlements that are illegal under international law, an MP has said.</p><p>Labour’s Melanie Ward said that if gift aid were claimed against the donations in the usual way, it would mean taxpayers had subsidised illegal settlements to the tune of £5.6m, a situation she described as deplorable. <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-and-allies-sanction-networks-enabling-settler-violence-in-the-west-bank">The foreign secretary, Yvette Cooper, </a>announced on Tuesday that the Charity Commission has been tasked with investigating UK charities’ links to settlements.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/jun/10/charities-in-england-and-wales-donate-millions-to-israeli-settlements">Continue reading...</a> Charities Society Voluntary sector West Bank Palestine Israel Middle East and north Africa World news UK news Wed, 10 Jun 2026 05:00:13 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/jun/10/charities-in-england-and-wales-donate-millions-to-israeli-settlements Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images Haroon Siddique Legal affairs correspondent 2026-06-10T05:00:13Z https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/gallery/2026/jun/02/vinnies-volunteers-op-shop-fashion-show-in-pictures <p>Five Melbourne branches of the St Vincent de Paul Society network of charity shops team up to put on a parade at Footscray’s Bluestone Hall. It showcases outfits sourced from their donation bins, styled and modelled by volunteers</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/ng-interactive/2026/apr/11/fashion-hot-pink-cheongsam-grandma-heirloom">‘It’s a test of courage wearing a hot-pink cheongsam’: how I learned to wear my grandma’s heirlooms</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/video/2026/jun/01/how-ai-is-shaking-up-fashion-video">This model is not a real person: how AI is changing online shopping – video</a></p></li></ul> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/gallery/2026/jun/02/vinnies-volunteers-op-shop-fashion-show-in-pictures">Continue reading...</a> Fashion Australian fashion Vintage fashion Charities Life and style Voluntary sector Melbourne Victoria Australia news Tue, 02 Jun 2026 15:00:29 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/gallery/2026/jun/02/vinnies-volunteers-op-shop-fashion-show-in-pictures Photograph: Eugene Hyland/The Guardian Photograph: Eugene Hyland/The Guardian Photograph: Eugene Hyland/The Guardian Eugene Hyland with Guardian staff 2026-06-02T15:00:29Z https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/may/22/charity-demands-apology-from-farage-for-intimidating-uninvited-visit <p>Reform UK Makerfield team reportedly arrived as cafe run by people with special needs was holding celebration event</p><p>The founder of a community group has asked Nigel Farage to apologise after the Reform UK leader and his entourage entered its cafe unannounced in what she said was an “intimidating and overwhelming” manner, and allegedly took photographs and videos without permission.</p><p>Farage was campaigning in Makerfield when he and his team stopped at a cafe run by the Hamlet Wigan CIC for a cup of tea and to use the toilets. The cafe supports young adult trainees with additional needs.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/may/22/charity-demands-apology-from-farage-for-intimidating-uninvited-visit">Continue reading...</a> Reform UK Politics Makerfield byelection Andy Burnham Voluntary sector Society England Fri, 22 May 2026 17:20:03 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/may/22/charity-demands-apology-from-farage-for-intimidating-uninvited-visit Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The Guardian Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The Guardian Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The Guardian Helena Horton 2026-05-22T17:20:03Z https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2026/may/22/aid-international-charity-frontline-adapt <p>Shiny HQs, layers of management and pricey overheads are hard to defend when funds are far better spent at local level</p><p>As the UK government-sponsored <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/global-partnerships-conference-2026">Global Partnerships conference</a> convened in London this week, against a backdrop of high living costs, reduced aid budgets and oil tankers stranded in the strait of Hormuz, it is increasingly clear that the aid sector is nearing breaking point.</p><p>The international charity network that props up the broken aid system is both under strain and part of the problem – unable to adapt to the times and increasingly unfit for purpose.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2026/may/22/aid-international-charity-frontline-adapt">Continue reading...</a> Aid Global development Society Voluntary sector Fri, 22 May 2026 08:00:53 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2026/may/22/aid-international-charity-frontline-adapt Photograph: Amr Abdallah Dalsh/Reuters Photograph: Amr Abdallah Dalsh/Reuters Photograph: Amr Abdallah Dalsh/Reuters Halima Begum 2026-05-22T08:00:53Z https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/may/11/the-one-change-that-worked-i-felt-like-an-outsider-in-my-village-until-i-found-a-simple-way-to-connect <p>I was isolated and nervous when I decided to roll up my sleeves and start volunteering. But I shouldn’t have been intimidated. It’s brought so much happiness and community into my life</p><p>I live in a fairly average town in Oxfordshire, and despite having friends and family nearby, I never felt as if I was properly a part of the community. I didn’t feel rooted, or that I knew my neighbours beyond a quick hello. I moved here in my late 20s with my partner and spent a lot of time at home. In my 30s, I got a dog, had children and started working from home.</p><p>As a result, I spent a lot more time in my local area, but I still felt like an outsider. At this point in my life, where I was focused on building a family and setting down my own roots, this lack of connection made me feel isolated – until I started volunteering.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/may/11/the-one-change-that-worked-i-felt-like-an-outsider-in-my-village-until-i-found-a-simple-way-to-connect">Continue reading...</a> Volunteering Life and style Society Schools Loneliness Family Voluntary sector Mon, 11 May 2026 09:00:50 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/may/11/the-one-change-that-worked-i-felt-like-an-outsider-in-my-village-until-i-found-a-simple-way-to-connect Photograph: Sarah Lee/The Guardian Photograph: Sarah Lee/The Guardian Photograph: Sarah Lee/The Guardian Annabel Lee 2026-05-11T09:00:50Z https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/apr/24/suicide-related-callouts-fire-services-triple-england-samaritans <p>Exclusive: Samaritans call for mandatory training for firefighters amid rise in incidents</p><p>Suicide-related callouts to fire and rescue services in England have tripled in the last decade, with Samaritans now calling for mandatory training for firefighters, who they say are struggling to deal with the increase in traumatic incidents.</p><p>New figures show that fire services in England attended 3,250 suicide callouts in the year ending September 2025, the equivalent to 62 callouts a week. This was up from 997 callouts in 2009-10 when records began.</p><p><em>In the UK and Ireland, <a href="https://www.samaritans.org/">Samaritans</a> can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email <a href="mailto:jo@samaritans.org">jo@samaritans.org</a> or <a href="mailto:jo@samaritans.ie">jo@samaritans.ie</a>. In the US, you can call or text the <a href="https://988lifeline.org/">988 Suicide &amp; Crisis Lifeline</a> at 988 or chat at <a href="https://988lifeline.org/">988lifeline.org</a>. In Australia, the crisis support service <a href="https://www.lifeline.org.au/">Lifeline</a> is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at <a href="http://www.befrienders.org/">befrienders.org</a></em></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/apr/24/suicide-related-callouts-fire-services-triple-england-samaritans">Continue reading...</a> Mental health England Charities Firefighters UK news Health Society Voluntary sector Sun, 26 Apr 2026 07:01:18 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/apr/24/suicide-related-callouts-fire-services-triple-england-samaritans Photograph: Aaron Chown/PA Photograph: Aaron Chown/PA Photograph: Aaron Chown/PA Jessica Murray Social affairs correspondent 2026-04-26T07:01:18Z https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2026/apr/24/susan-chlopicki-obituary <p>My colleague and friend Susan Chlopicki, who has died aged 59 of lung cancer, was a comedian, activist and charity worker. As a standup she performed across the UK and her written work was featured on the BBC.</p><p>Sue started standup in Manchester in the 1990s, a time when there were very few women on the circuit, performing under the <a href="https://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2026/01/23/59819/tributes_pour_in_for_susan_vale">name Susan Vale</a>. Sue immediately stood out; her material was close to the bone and cheekily rude but expertly written. She was a wonderfully quirky presence and usually ended her set by saying, “I can’t sing but I can tap dance,” then stripping off to reveal a sequined outfit and dancing to Happy Feet, often while eating a swiss roll.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2026/apr/24/susan-chlopicki-obituary">Continue reading...</a> Comedy Stage Comedy Voluntary sector Society Manchester Fri, 24 Apr 2026 18:23:42 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2026/apr/24/susan-chlopicki-obituary Photograph: none Photograph: none Photograph: none Marissa Burgess 2026-04-24T18:23:42Z https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/apr/23/kathy-attawell-obituary <p>My friend Kathy Attawell, who has died suddenly aged 65, dedicated herself to improving public health in developing countries. Her contributions to the HIV response, and to improving maternal and child health, saved the lives of thousands.</p><p>I met Kathy on our first day at Exeter University in October 1978 – she was warm and funny, and her passion for social justice was infectious. Kathy’s strong principles led her to a career in health and international development. In the 1980s she focused on HIV and Aids, seeking to understand this new disease – its spread, prevention and treatment.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/apr/23/kathy-attawell-obituary">Continue reading...</a> Health Aids and HIV Society Charities Voluntary sector Thu, 23 Apr 2026 10:11:55 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/apr/23/kathy-attawell-obituary Photograph: family handout Photograph: family handout Photograph: family handout Sarah Martin 2026-04-23T10:11:55Z https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/apr/20/the-guardian-view-on-social-care-shortages-housing-charities-could-help-englands-hidden-children <p>New rules and extra foster carers should ease the pressure on councils. But unregistered placements remain a grave concern</p><p>It is incumbent on everyone with an interest in social policy to pay attention to the most vulnerable children&nbsp;and young people. When those who have been neglected, abused or exploited fall through the cracks in the welfare state because local councils are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/apr/20/get-to-grips-on-illegal-child-social-care-in-england-ministers-are-told">unable to meet their needs</a>, this reflects poorly on wider society and risks causing harm in the long term as well as immediately. In England, the social care systems for children and adults are well known to be under immense strain. The rise in the number of children placed in unregistered settings – and thus effectively invisible to Ofsted – is an alarming symptom of a wider failure.</p><p>From 144 children in 2020-21, the figure multiplied to 680 in 2024-25, according to a timely report from the policy consultancy Public First. The finding mirrors one from the children’s commissioner for England, Dame&nbsp;Rachel de Souza, who recorded <a href="https://assets.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/wpuploads/2026/01/cc-illegal-childrens-homes-Jan-26.pdf">669&nbsp;such placements</a> in September last year. While these numbers make up less than 1% of the more than 83,000&nbsp;looked-after children in England, the rapid rise in the number of cases where councils cannot find proper provision is both alarming in itself – since no child should be living outside the regulatory framework – and because of what it reveals about how the overall sector is managing.</p><p><em><strong>Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/tone/letters"> letters</a> section, please <a href="mailto:guardian.letters@theguardian.com?body=Please%20include%20your%20name,%20full%20postal%20address%20and%20phone%20number%20with%20your%20letter%20below.%20Letters%20are%20usually%20published%20with%20the%20author%27s%20name%20and%20city/town/village.%20The%20rest%20of%20the%20information%20is%20for%20verification%20only%20and%20to%20contact%20you%20where%20necessary.">click here</a>.</strong></em></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/apr/20/the-guardian-view-on-social-care-shortages-housing-charities-could-help-englands-hidden-children">Continue reading...</a> Social care Children Child protection Young people Ofsted Politics Charities Fostering Society Voluntary sector UK news Mon, 20 Apr 2026 17:41:03 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/apr/20/the-guardian-view-on-social-care-shortages-housing-charities-could-help-englands-hidden-children Photograph: Olena Serzhanova/Alamy Photograph: Olena Serzhanova/Alamy Photograph: Olena Serzhanova/Alamy Editorial 2026-04-20T17:41:03Z https://www.theguardian.com/science/2026/apr/19/the-moon-and-the-zoo-simon-armitage-poem-celebrates-200-years-of-zsl <p>Zoological Society of London commissions poet laureate for animation to mark its 200th anniversary</p><p>Over its two centuries, acclaimed writers and artists have found inspiration at London zoo, from Edwin Landseer’s Trafalgar Square lions, to AA Milne’s naming “Winnie” after resident bear Winnipeg, and Sylvia Plath’s poem Zoo Keeper’s Wife.</p><p>Plath’s husband, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/tedhughes">Ted Hughes</a>, who would become poet laureate, worked at the zoo briefly as a dish washer, an experience said to have helped fuel his inspiration for The Thought-Fox.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2026/apr/19/the-moon-and-the-zoo-simon-armitage-poem-celebrates-200-years-of-zsl">Continue reading...</a> Zoology Zoos London Charities Conservation Simon Armitage Poetry Biology Books Culture Environment Science Society UK news Voluntary sector World news Mon, 20 Apr 2026 04:01:01 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/science/2026/apr/19/the-moon-and-the-zoo-simon-armitage-poem-celebrates-200-years-of-zsl Photograph: ZSL Simon Armitage Greg King Photograph: ZSL Simon Armitage Greg King Photograph: ZSL Simon Armitage Greg King Caroline Davies 2026-04-20T04:01:01Z https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/apr/15/civil-society-groups-warn-new-charity-commission-powers-could-suppress-advocacy <p>Exclusive: Letter urges ministers to consult on Charity Commission measures meant to tackle extremism</p><p>Several leading civil society organisations have urged the government to consult the sector before introducing new powers for the Charity Commission, which they caution risks “suppressing legitimate advocacy” at a time when civic space is under increased pressure.</p><p>Signatories, including leaders from some of the UK’s largest civil society bodies, alongside faith-based and community organisations, wrote to the culture secretary, Lisa Nandy, saying the proposed social cohesion measures could lead to the “suppression of lawful advocacy, campaigning and community engagement”.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/apr/15/civil-society-groups-warn-new-charity-commission-powers-could-suppress-advocacy">Continue reading...</a> Charities Society Voluntary sector UK news Freedom of speech Communities Regulators Thu, 16 Apr 2026 10:29:48 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/apr/15/civil-society-groups-warn-new-charity-commission-powers-could-suppress-advocacy Photograph: Wiktor Szymanowicz/Shutterstock Photograph: Wiktor Szymanowicz/Shutterstock Photograph: Wiktor Szymanowicz/Shutterstock Geneva Abdul 2026-04-16T10:29:48Z https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/apr/09/four-in-10-uk-parents-struggle-to-afford-newborn-babies-essentials-study-barnardos <p>Exclusive: Survey of 2,000 people by Barnardo’s also finds almost half feel their child has missed opportunities due to cost</p><p>Four in 10 parents across the UK are struggling to afford essential items for the care of their newborn babies, according to research.</p><p>The survey of 2,000 parents with children aged under five by the charity Barnardo’s found that almost half (49%) felt their child had missed out on opportunities to learn or play because of the cost of living.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/apr/09/four-in-10-uk-parents-struggle-to-afford-newborn-babies-essentials-study-barnardos">Continue reading...</a> Poverty Parents and parenting Family Life and style Children Society Social exclusion Charities Scottish politics Politics UK news Voluntary sector Scotland Children's health Money England Wales Northern Ireland Thu, 09 Apr 2026 14:02:37 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/apr/09/four-in-10-uk-parents-struggle-to-afford-newborn-babies-essentials-study-barnardos Photograph: Prostock-studio/Alamy Photograph: Prostock-studio/Alamy Photograph: Prostock-studio/Alamy Tobi Thomas Health and inequalities correspondent 2026-04-09T14:02:37Z https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/09/cost-of-living-and-mental-health-crisis-driving-mass-animal-rescues-says-rspca <p>Charity says it dealt with 75 incidents last year involving 100 or more animals living in one property</p><p>The cost of living crisis and an increase in people experiencing mental health difficulties have led to a rising number of multi-animal rescues in England and Wales, an RSPCA superintendent has said.</p><p>The animal charity this week had to confirm that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/08/rspca-ai-images-dogs-property-uk">a shocking photograph</a> of more than 250 poodle-cross dogs found at a property in the UK was not faked with artificial intelligence. The RSPCA took in 87 of the dogs and the remainder went to the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/dogs">Dogs</a> Trust, another charity.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/09/cost-of-living-and-mental-health-crisis-driving-mass-animal-rescues-says-rspca">Continue reading...</a> Animal welfare Animals UK news Dogs Mental health UK cost of living crisis Society Voluntary sector Thu, 09 Apr 2026 12:38:38 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/09/cost-of-living-and-mental-health-crisis-driving-mass-animal-rescues-says-rspca Photograph: RSPCA Photograph: RSPCA Photograph: RSPCA Helena Horton 2026-04-09T12:38:38Z https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/apr/07/refugee-charity-schools-valentines-cards-asylum-seekers <p>Watchdog finds allegations against City of Sanctuary UK were misleading after complaint from Tory MP</p><p>A refugee charity subjected to vicious social media attacks over a migrant welcome project in schools has been cleared of wrongdoing after watchdogs found allegations it encouraged pupils to send Valentine’s Day cards to asylum seekers were misleading and false.</p><p>City of Sanctuary UK came under fire last year after rumours spread online that under its schools programme, children were being “forced” to write heart-shaped welcome cards to adult migrants, including cards addressed to “my fiance”.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/apr/07/refugee-charity-schools-valentines-cards-asylum-seekers">Continue reading...</a> Charities Voluntary sector Immigration and asylum Gavin Williamson Conservatives Society Politics UK news Tue, 07 Apr 2026 17:51:19 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/apr/07/refugee-charity-schools-valentines-cards-asylum-seekers Photograph: Christian Sinibaldi Photograph: Christian Sinibaldi Photograph: Christian Sinibaldi Patrick Butler Social policy editor 2026-04-07T17:51:19Z https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/mar/30/rnli-uk-channel-islands-rescues-doubled-2025 <p>Charity believes Middle East crisis may lead to even busier spring and summer in 2026</p><p>The number of people helped by <a href="https://rnli.org/what-we-do/lifeguards-and-beaches">RNLI lifeguards</a> on the beaches of the UK and the Channel Islands doubled last year and the charity believes the Middle East crisis may lead to an even busier spring and summer in 2026.</p><p>While RNLI lifeguards went to the aid of about 18,000 people in 2023 and 2024, this leapt to more than 35,000 in 2025, the spike put down to a combination of good weather and an increased interest in seaside pursuits.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/mar/30/rnli-uk-channel-islands-rescues-doubled-2025">Continue reading...</a> Charities UK news Voluntary sector Society Mon, 30 Mar 2026 05:00:16 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/mar/30/rnli-uk-channel-islands-rescues-doubled-2025 Photograph: RNLI/Nathan Williams Photograph: RNLI/Nathan Williams Photograph: RNLI/Nathan Williams Steven Morris 2026-03-30T05:00:16Z https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/mar/20/volunteers-uk-local-charity-shut-down <p>We’d like to hear from volunteers who have experienced a charity closing</p><p>Across the UK, many small charities face increasing financial pressures, forcing some to shut their doors. When this happens, it can leave the people who relied on those services without support - and volunteers and communities trying to step in and keep things going.</p><p>We’d like to hear from volunteers who have experienced a charity closing. Have you or others tried to continue the work informally and what were the challenges of doing that? Did you try to keep it going - and what difficulties did you face? What happened to the people who depended on the service?</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/mar/20/volunteers-uk-local-charity-shut-down">Continue reading...</a> Charities Society Voluntary sector Fri, 20 Mar 2026 14:53:46 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/mar/20/volunteers-uk-local-charity-shut-down Photograph: Peter Dazeley/Getty Images Photograph: Peter Dazeley/Getty Images Photograph: Peter Dazeley/Getty Images Guardian community team 2026-03-20T14:53:46Z https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/mar/17/the-guardian-view-on-falling-donations-to-charity-rising-living-costs-are-part-of-the-problem-but-not-all-of-it <p>Lack of confidence in the voluntary sector seems linked to a more general fraying of social bonds</p><p>BBC Radio 1’s Greg James reached the halfway point of his <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/2xrlPZTXmgV9dhhKRcz4LW8/radio-1s-longest-ride-with-greg-james">1,000km bike ride</a> for Comic Relief just outside Doncaster, in South Yorkshire, on Tuesday lunchtime. The Radio 1 stunt is a popular fixture of the annual charity fundraiser – played out all day long with regular updates on the station, and enthusiastic reminders to “text 10, 20 or 30”. On <a href="https://www.comicrelief.com/rednoseday/">Red Nose Day</a>, which falls on 20 March, Mr James and his tandem – on which assorted celebrities have joined him – can expect to be greeted by cheering crowds in Edinburgh.</p><p>There is nothing not to like about this warm-hearted caper. The takings from these feats of endurance by presenters reached a record £2.2m last year –&nbsp;when Jamie Laing ran five ultra marathons in five days. But away from the buzzy spotlight of national radio, and seasonal appeals such as the Guardian’s, which raised more than £1m between December and January,&nbsp;charities are facing tough times. Concerning&nbsp;details of the current <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/mar/16/fewer-britons-giving-charity-donations-down-14bn">downward trend</a> are set out in the latest report from the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF), which recorded the first overall drop in donations since 2021.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/mar/17/the-guardian-view-on-falling-donations-to-charity-rising-living-costs-are-part-of-the-problem-but-not-all-of-it">Continue reading...</a> Charities Voluntary sector Society UK cost of living crisis Money UK news Tue, 17 Mar 2026 18:41:09 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/mar/17/the-guardian-view-on-falling-donations-to-charity-rising-living-costs-are-part-of-the-problem-but-not-all-of-it Photograph: James Watkins/BBC/PA Photograph: James Watkins/BBC/PA Photograph: James Watkins/BBC/PA Editorial 2026-03-17T18:41:09Z https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/16/monday-briefing-why-britain-is-becoming-less-charitable-and-what-it-means-for-those-that-need-it-most <p>In today’s newsletter: Six million fewer of us supported charities last year compared to a decade ago, but reversing the declining culture of giving is not a hopeless cause</p><p>Good morning. Britain donated an estimated £14bn to charity last year, but that seemingly large headline figure masks both a dip in donations and a deeper shift in giving. A new report from the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) finds that 55% of the UK population gave to charity last year, down from 69% a decade ago – leaving around six million fewer donors supporting charities.</p><p>For years, the sector has relied on a shrinking group of committed supporters giving more. But with donations falling for the first time in five years, researchers warn that Britain’s culture of giving is becoming “increasingly fragile”.</p><p><em><strong>Middle East </strong></em>| Ministers are drawing up plans to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/15/uk-plans-minesweeping-drones-help-reopen-strait-hormuz">send minesweeping drones to the strait of Hormuz</a> amid concerns in Whitehall that complying with Donald Trump’s demand to send ships could escalate the crisis.</p><p><em><strong>Oscars</strong></em> | Paul Thomas Anderson’s counter-culture caper <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/mar/15/oscars-2026-best-picture-one-battle-after-another-win">One Battle After Another has won the Oscars war</a>, taking home six awards after a hotly contested season.</p><p><em><strong>US politics </strong></em>| Republican lawmakers are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/15/fcc-chair-broadcasters-license-iran-war">pushing back against suggestions</a> from the head of the Federal Communications Commission, Brendan Carr, that he might remove the licenses from media he – and Donald Trump – deem to be delivering fake news about the war in Iran.</p><p><em><strong>Business </strong></em>| Oil company <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/mar/15/oil-company-shares-soar-to-all-time-highs-as-middle-east-war-turbocharges-price-per-barrel">shares have hit all-time highs</a> due to the crisis caused by the war in the Middle East. The combined market value of the six stock market-listed western “super majors” has soared by more than $130bn in the two weeks since the start of the war.</p><p><em><strong>Abortion </strong></em>| Vulnerable women in England <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/15/women-arrested-suspected-illegal-abortion-england-police">are still being arrested</a> and facing police investigations over suspected illegal pregnancy terminations, despite parliament backing changes to the law to decriminalise abortion.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/16/monday-briefing-why-britain-is-becoming-less-charitable-and-what-it-means-for-those-that-need-it-most">Continue reading...</a> Charities Society Voluntary sector Mon, 16 Mar 2026 06:52:43 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/16/monday-briefing-why-britain-is-becoming-less-charitable-and-what-it-means-for-those-that-need-it-most Photograph: HASPhotos/Alamy Photograph: HASPhotos/Alamy Photograph: HASPhotos/Alamy Martin Belam 2026-03-16T06:52:43Z https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/mar/16/fewer-britons-giving-charity-donations-down-14bn <p>Charities Aid Foundation says giving no longer a ‘deeply embedded cultural norm’ amid rising cost of living</p><p>Britain is rapidly losing the charity habit, with public donations to good causes plummeting by more than £1.4bn last year and millions of people saying they can no longer afford – or do not want – to give, according to an analysis.</p><p>The Charities Aid Foundation (Caf) said in its annual report that, while the British remained generous at heart, society was witnessing a big transformation in attitudes towards charitable giving. Just half of people gave to charity in 2025, down from 61% a decade earlier.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/mar/16/fewer-britons-giving-charity-donations-down-14bn">Continue reading...</a> Charities Charitable giving UK cost of living crisis UK news Society Voluntary sector Mon, 16 Mar 2026 06:00:09 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/mar/16/fewer-britons-giving-charity-donations-down-14bn Photograph: Image Source Pink/Getty Images/Image Source Photograph: Image Source Pink/Getty Images/Image Source Photograph: Image Source Pink/Getty Images/Image Source Patrick Butler Social policy editor 2026-03-16T06:00:09Z https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/mar/06/ian-arnot-obituary <p>My friend and former colleague Ian Arnot, who has died of cancer aged 45, was an LGBTQ+ activist, charity leader and fellow of the Chartered Institute of PR (CIPR). He was also a longstanding non-executive director in the charitable sector in Edinburgh, and served as BT’s head of corporate communications from 2020 to 2025.</p><p>Ian became well known in media and political circles in Scotland and London during his 24-year career with BT Group. He was appointed a chartered fellow of CIPR in 2023, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the institute and the profession, and was elected vice-chair of CIPR Scotland in 2025. He was about to start a new role with the IHG hotel group at the time of his terminal diagnosis, which he bore with typical resilience, courage and hope.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/mar/06/ian-arnot-obituary">Continue reading...</a> BT Business Charities Society Voluntary sector Telecommunications industry University of Stirling Scotland Fri, 06 Mar 2026 18:48:10 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/mar/06/ian-arnot-obituary Photograph: family handout Photograph: family handout Photograph: family handout Anna Steven 2026-03-06T18:48:10Z