CharityComms

Green speech bubble with text that reads: A crisis doesn't ask if you're ready...But your team can be. Here are four things that can help a team get through it together with CharityComms and Inside Edge Media Training logos.

Three tips that that can help a team work through a crisis, including: 1. Agree on roles and responsibilities – Know who's drafting, approving and has the final call. When a crisis hits, that clarity keeps the team aligned and able to act with confidence. 2. Communicate clearly and consistently – In a crisis, information moves fast and gaps get filled quickly. The more your team is in the loop, the stronger and more united your response will be. 3. Have each other's backs – The best teams trust each other's judgement, can challenge a decision without fear, and support each other when the pressure rises.

CharityComms crisis management simulation workshop event information that reads: Want to put your team to the test? Last chance to join our live crisis management simulation workshop to stress-test your processes and strengthen how you work together. Tuesday 3 March, online, 10:00 - 13:00. Provided by Inside Edge Media Training.

A crisis doesn't ask if you are ready. But your team can be. When the pressure is on and everything is moving fast, the people beside you matter just as much as the plan. Put your team to the test in a supportive environment by joining us at our workshop on Tuesday 3 March: bit.ly/4awBsYL

PR Network: Staying ahead of the headlines: horizon scanning for charity PR CharityComms’ PR Network is for those working in PR and media in UK charities and not-for-profits. All members are eligible to attend.

Thanks to everyone who joined us! Special thanks to our wonderful host, @gemmapettmanpr.bsky.social, and to the speakers, Gina Hollands and Sarah Durbin at @rspcaoffficial.bsky.social. If you would like to watch on demand, the recording will be available soon: bit.ly/4oSro1q

Three key takeaways from #CharityPR event, including: 1. Staying ahead of the news cycle starts with a purposeful approach. Choose your topics, build in media monitoring, and stick to your strategy – staying focused, deliberate, and not derailed by every new headline. 2. Know when to speak and when to stay silent – and let your ethics decide. Rushing in carries risk, but so does silence. Ask your why, weigh both sides and make a decision you can stand behind, especially when the story moves fast. 3. Plan what you can and prepare for what you can't. Anticipate probable stories and prepare lines in advance. Build in flexibility, plan the known unknowns, and define processes and roles so that when the unexpected hits, you're already ten steps ahead.

How can we stay ahead of the headlines? Our #CharityPR event this morning explored how PR and media teams can horizon-scan, anticipate shifts, and build flexible strategies that make reacting easier. Here are some key takeaways.

What insights stood out to you most? Share in the comments.

Are you making strategic decisions…or slipping into digital drift? A recent blog by @fewandfar.co.uk explores how doing nothing is still a decision. From delayed website updates to unresolved accessibility issues, every small choice shapes your charity's direction. Read more: bit.ly/40qGO2Y

Note with a paper clip on green background, with text that reads: Your midweek reminder that: What you do matters. Who you support matters. The effort you put in matters.

A midweek reminder for anyone working in the charity sector today. Even on the days when it feels unnoticed, when progress feels slow or when the work feels heavy, the impact you’re making is real and lasting.

Be kind to yourself, protect your energy where you can and keep the momentum going.

PR Network: Staying ahead of the headlines: horizon scanning for charity PR CharityComms’ PR Network is for those working in PR and media in UK charities and not-for-profits. All members are eligible to attend.

Want to stay ahead of the news cycle while still keeping your big-picture PR plans on track? Join our #CharityPR event tomorrow, 26 February, where our speakers will explore how to horizon-scan with confidence, anticipate shifts, and build flexible strategies. Book here: bit.ly/4oSro1q

Steps on how teams can prepare for a crisis, including: 1. Understand your landscape - The current environment is shaped by polarisation, misinformation and AI-driven risks. Stay across issues and emerging trends to anticipate pressure points early. 2. Regularly horizon scan - Track issues affecting your cause, beneficiaries and reputation. Monitor media, social channels and policy developments to understand how risks – and public sentiment – are evolving.

Continued steps on how teams can prepare for a crisis, including: 3. Define your risks and scenarios - Draw on past crises and emerging risks to identify what could affect your organisation, and use what you’ve learned to plan how scenarios might unfold. 4. Prepare key messaging - Draft holding statements, key lines and Q&As in advance. Use your charity’s purpose and values as a guide to ensure your response is clear, empathetic and consistent under pressure.

Two last steps on how teams can prepare for a crisis, including: 5. Clarify roles and decision-making - Agree who leads on comms, who signs off on messaging and who acts as spokesperson. Clear roles reduce confusion and speed up response times. 6. Train and practice as a team - Make sure everyone understands the plan, their role and how decisions are made. Practicing together builds alignment and confidence before a real crisis hits.

Event information for CharityComms real-time crisis management simulation workshop on Tuesday 3 March, online at 10:00 - 13:00. Text on the image reads: Join us to build confidence and crisis decision-making skills through a realistic simulation in a supportive environment. Group discounts available. Provide by Inside Edge Media Training.

Good crisis comms start long before a crisis hits. Here’s how teams can prepare. But no checklist can match the pace, pressure and uncertainty of the real thing. That’s why we’re partnering with Inside Edge Media Training for a crisis simulation workshop on 3 March. Book here: bit.ly/4awBsYL

The realties of brand leadership today, broken down into two sides the hidden and the hopeful taken from the Behind the Brand 2026 research report by The Co-Foundry. The hidden side, includes: Emotional weight. Navigating internal politics and scepticism. Advocates, translators and long-term guardians. Accountable for outcomes without full control. The hopeful side, includes: Growing recognition of brand as a strategic asset. Brand expertise at the top table. An opportunity for brand leaders to play a more integrated role.

Brand leadership is becoming more complex – emotionally and structurally. Our latest blog by Sue Bush at The Co-Foundry explores findings from Behind the Brand 2026, a new research report into what enables brand leadership and what often goes unseen. Read more here: bit.ly/4aNkx4l

Blue background and green and white banners introducing CharityComms Member Meets online event on 19 March 2026 at 11am. Text reads: Find out how our events can take your comms to the next level.

Join us at our next Member Meets session on Thursday 19 March to explore the world of CharityComms’ events. Discover what’s available to members, how to get involved, and get a behind-the-scenes look at what makes our events so valuable. Book here: bit.ly/489cz4k
#MembershipMonday

This week, @thesaltways.bsky.social are hosting a panel discussion on 26 February to explore AI-generated imagery in the charity sector. Bringing together experts to discuss the risks, legal requirements and practical guidance for navigating AI imagery. Find out more and sign up here: bit.ly/4kIMVce

Huge thanks to all of our sponsors Creative Concern, @moreonion.bsky.social, Nice and Serious, Add 10, Yoyo, and @sofirefly.bsky.social.

A gradient blue background with faded white and yellow directional arrows pointing left. CharityComms Logo followed by text in white that reads: Strategic Communicators’ Conference 2026. 12 March, Online, 10:00 - 15:35. In a grey banner, white text reads event talk: 14:50-15:20, followed by a yellow banner with grey text that reads the talk title: Shelter: evolving supporter journeys to better meet supporter needs. To the right are image of our speaker followed by a grey banner underneath with their title: Claire Donner, mobilisation expert and UK director at More Onion.

A gradient blue background with faded white and yellow directional arrows pointing left. CharityComms Logo followed by text in white that reads: Strategic Communicators’ Conference 2026. 12 March, Online, 10:00 - 15:35. In a grey banner, white text reads event talk: 14:15-14:45, followed by a yellow banner with grey text that reads the talk title: The Emotional Edge. To the right are image of our speaker followed by a grey banner underneath with their title: Katie Abbotts, freelance communications specialist.

Under a month to go until our #CCStrategy conference on 12 March, and we’ve added even more to the agenda, including two new talks covering emotional resilience at work and building better supporter journeys. Find out more and book your place here: bit.ly/4puRRTi

Notes page listing some of the things that keep us moving, with text that reads: Behind every charity communications team is: 1. Caffeinated communicators. 2. Notes apps or books full of ideas. 3. Computers running slow due to 50 plus open tabs. 4. A colour-coded calendar. 5. A team chat full of encouragement and memes.

We know charity comms teams are packed with brilliant people doing incredible work. Here are some of the little things that keep us all moving.

Have we missed anything? Add yours in the comments.

Strengthen your communications approach with a two-part workshop series with Anil Manji (Kudu Communications). Gain practical tools you can use straight away to plan focused campaigns and bring them to life with engaging storytelling and content. Join one or both. Book here: bit.ly/4rYFznJ

Charity storytelling Full of content to help you build, inspect and elevate your storytelling skills. We will continue to add to it to examine charity storytelling in the modern day.

Storytelling skills are increasingly in demand as AI-generated content floods feeds and audiences are seeking authentic, human-centred stories. Our storytelling hub helps you meet that need with practical guidance and sector case studies. Dive in here: bit.ly/3V3KNQk

A blue speech bubble with a purple megaphone at the top, containing the question What's new? on a purple background. Left to the speech bubble is accompanying text that reads: The latest social media updates you need to know.

We’ve updated our #SocialMedia hub with the latest reports and platform updates, from Meta’s ad-free subscriptions to Bluesky’s native drafts and Instagram’s personalised Reels algorithm controls. Take a look or bookmark the page for later: bit.ly/4nK8ACi

An extreme close up of a camera and someone being interviewed. On varying blue and green banners, sits event information that reads: Real-time crisis management simulation. Tuesday 3 March, online between 10:00 - 13:00. Provided by Inside Edge Media Training.

Our workshop on 3 March offers a real-time crisis management simulation that places you in a fast-moving scenario. Led by former BBC journalist Chris Jameson at Inside Edge Media Training, you’ll practice fast decisions making, assess evolving risks and effective comms. Book now: bit.ly/4awBsYL

Adeela Warley: Authenticity is crucial for maintaining trust in a volatile world In a world of ‘performance’, the public is hyper-sensitised to spotting things that feel fake

Did you watch Traitors? Love it or hate it, it shows how stories and perceptions shape what we see as ‘true’ or ‘false’. In this @thirdsector.co.uk article, our CEO @awarley.bsky.social explores why authenticity is key to maintaining and building trust, with charity examples: bit.ly/3Mz6oPY

Overview of three benefits to make the most of your CharityComms membership, including: Events - Attend or speak at our events. Gain insight and build your profile. Directories - Find the best and brightest agencies and freelancers for charity focused support, all in one place. Resources - Access the latest insights, practical guidance and thought leadership from CharityComms and beyond.

Overview of three more benefits to make the most of your CharityComms membership, including: Networking - Meet and connect with charity comms professionals at events and online. Ask Charity - Build relationships with journalists looking for charity stories and expert voices. Mentoring - Build skills, confidence and connections through mentoring, as a mentor or mentee.

Are you making the most of your membership?
From expert-led events and sector insights to mentoring and peer connections, your membership is here to help you grow and feel supported with a community that understands the charity sector.
Explore more here: bit.ly/4juI8us
#MembershipMonday

Practical ways to build confidence, including: 1. Reflect on wins, big and small - Take a moment each week to recognise and celebrate your achievements, whether that’s good feedback on a project, making progress on an objective, or knowing you handled a piece of work with care. 2. Seek mentoring relationships - Connect with a mentor or trusted peer who can offer guidance, feedback and support. Having someone to talk things through with can make challenges feel more manageable and growth more visible.

Practical ways to build confidence, including: 3. Focus on your own progress - It's natural to compare yourself to others, but it's rarely helpful. Instead, look at how far you’ve come, what you’ve learned, and the contribution you’re making in your role. 4. Share your ideas and insights - When you contribute to discussions or share your observations, you’re demonstrating the value you bring. Over time, this helps build confidence in your voice and judgement.

Building confidence in charity comms can feel difficult, especially early in your career. Here are some practical ways to build confidence over time.

Senior comms pros – what helped you grow confidence in your early career? What advice would you give to your younger self? Share in the comments.

Charity brand trends for 2026 and beyond Charity branding is constantly evolving. To help you keep pace, charity brand experts Max Du Bois and Dan Dufour explore the key trends shaping the sector today.

Charity branding and our operating landscape is constantly evolving. To help you keep pace, we asked charity brand experts Max Du Bois and Dan Dufour to explore the key trends shaping the sector. Read the blog here and don't miss updates to the popular brand 360 coming soon: bit.ly/4blvtYW

Four key demands of charity comms leaders as they hold a lot at once, including: balancing urgent and strategic priorities, supporting your team and influencing upwards, demonstrating impact while doing the work, and protecting reputation while building trust. Strategic Communicators' Conference event details are included at the end of the card, which read: 12 March, online, 10:00 - 15:35.

As charity comms leads, you're being pulled in many directions. Join our Strategic Communicators’ Conference on 12 March for a chance to step back from the day-to-day, focus on what's coming next, and leave with practical frameworks you can apply straight away. Book here: bit.ly/4puRRTi

Two colleagues sat at a table discussing documents in a bright office with charts on the wall behind them. On varying green banners, sits event information that reads: Comms Campaigns 101. Tuesday 25 Feb, online between 10:00 - 14:00. Sponsored by Kudu Communications.

Effective campaigns start at the planning stage. Join us on 25 Feb for a workshop exploring how to design campaigns that are realistic for your time, budget and team size. Led by Anil Manji at Kudu Communications, book now to discover tools you can apply straight away:
bit.ly/4rYFznJ

Three small, practical steps to advocate for your development, including: 1. Ask to be involved in strategy discussions. 2. Share your insights and make your thinking visible to build trust and credibility. 3. Align learning opportunities to organisational priorities.

Three more practical steps to advocate for your development, including: 4. Translate your work into outcomes – show what changed, not just what you did. 5. Find a mentor inside or outside of your organisation. 6. Track feedback over time and look for recurring themes to focus your growth.

Growth in the charity comms sector isn’t always linear – and it rarely comes from a single opportunity, it’s built over time. If you’re looking to advocate for your development, here are small, practical steps that could help.

Have other tips to share? Comment below.

Creatives Group: Authenticity in storytelling to build trust CharityComms’ Creatives Group is for professionals working in in-house creative teams (of one or more people) within UK charities and not-for-profits. All members are eligible to attend.

Thanks to everyone who joined us this morning. Special thanks to our wonderful host @lapope.bsky.social, and speakers Alexander Scott and Rose Dykins at @booktrust.org.uk. If you would like to watch on demand, the recording will be available free for members soon: bit.ly/4rTeT8m

Three key takeaways from our event on authenticity in storytelling to build trust, including: 1. Stories aren't consumed in the order they're shared. Audiences may ‘bump into’ or ‘dip in and out’ of story fragments across different channels, from socials to press. Shift to building narrative systems – developing coherent pieces that stand alone or work together, all rooted in your charity’s purpose. 2. AI can generate content at scale, but it can’t create meaning. Charities have the advantage of human stories, moral clarity and authentic empathy. Use this edge to build trust and connect with audiences. 3. How you gather a story matters as much as how you tell it. Moving at the speed of trust means respecting people with lived experience, their agency in how the stories are told and prioritising building relationships – even when deadlines demand speed.

What makes an audience stop, listen and care? Today's #CharityCreative’s event explored how authentic storytelling can strengthen trust and engagement. Here are some headlines.

What insights stood out to you most? Share your key takeaways in the comments or tag us in your posts.

Why your charity website needs to be a museum, not just a library To survive this shift, charities need to change how they view their websites. They need to stop acting like libraries and start acting like museums. If…

Is AI giving away the answers that people used to find on your website? William Joseph | B Corp explores whether charity websites need to be "museums" rather than "libraries" in an AI-driven search world, focusing on offering human depth that AI can’t replicate. Read more: https://bit.ly/4qts8e0

Notes page outlining a list of reminders on the value of comms, in case you need to hear it. The list includes: 1. You're driving engagement, supporting donations, and encouraging advocacy. 2. You build trust and strengthen relationships with the people your charity serves. 3. You shape perceptions and protect the organisation's reputation. 4. You drive innovation and test new approaches to see what works best. 5. You turn insight into action through strategy and audience understanding ...and so much more.

Do you feel like comms gets overlooked at your organisation?

At CharityComms, we recognise and advocate for the value of comms as a strategic function at every charity. In case you need to hear it, here are some reminders.

How do you highlight the value of comms? Share your insights below!

Bright green and black spotted chameleon on a branch next to text that reads: On the lookout for a new job in 2026? Check out our jobs board and take your next step in your career. #MembershipMonday

On the lookout for a new job in 2026? Check out some of the amazing opportunities on our jobs board: https://bit.ly/CCSectorJobs

If you're a CharityComms organisational or corporate member, don't forget you can add your jobs for free here: https://bit.ly/3IVEuMu

#MembershipMonday

Authentic Communication: What Does It Mean, Why It’s Important How to build an authentic brand and give consumers a reason to care.

For further reading, we've developed this post with insights drawn from these resources: bit.ly/4aiTz4i and bit.ly/4qpvv5W