Happy New Year!  Here’s hoping 2023 will be a successful year for us all.  The Sobus team has returned to work this week, after a much deserved rest over the Christmas and New Year period.

January is often a bit quieter, giving us an opportunity to take a couple of weeks to catch up with emails, tackle pieces of work we’ve been putting off, and take the time to plan our workload for the coming months.

There is though, an important task that we all have to complete before the end of January – submit our annual return to the Charities Commission.

All organisations must submit their annual return within 10 months of the end of their financial year – for the majority of VCS organsiations, we run on an April-March financial year, therefore the 10 month deadline for our annual return is 31st March each year

The amount of information you must provide depends on the annual turnover of your organisation:

  • Organisations with income under £10,000 – you only need to report your income and spending.
  • Organisations with income between £10,000 and £25,000 must answer questions about your charity, but do not need to include any other documents.
  • Organisations with income over £25,000 must answer questions about your charity in an annual return and also provide copies of your
    • Trustee annual report.
    • Accounts
    • Independent examiner’s or audit report.

The questions you will be asked depend on your income, the type of charity and what the charity does.

How to submit your annual return:

When your charity was registered, you’ll have been sent your login details.  If you’ve lost these, go to the Charity Commission login page and click the ‘Forgotten Your Password?’ link.  You’ll need your registration number.  A password link will be sent to the contact email you gave the Commission.  If you don’t know what this is, go to your charity’s entry on the Commission register and click the contact details link on the left.

As always, Sobus is here to help if you’d like any information or guidance on submitting your annual return.

Grassroots community organizations in the UK can apply for grants of between £2,500 and £20,000 for projects aimed at achieving long-term change through community organising, campaigning, and democratic engagement. These grants are intended for organisations that are based in and accountable to their community, but lack the resources to achieve their goals. The Civic Power Fund prioritises organisations led by individuals who have firsthand experience of the injustice they are trying to address. In addition to financial support, successful applicants will also receive support from the Civic Power Fund Governance Hub and may have the opportunity to participate in capacity-building programs. The application deadline is the 26th February 2023. Grants of up to £20,000 Available for Projects that Bring About Long term Community Change (UK)

Government Exchange would like to invite you and colleagues to join upcoming “Virtual” Open Course Workshop on Essential Writing Skills which will take place on Wednesday 25th January 2023.

Working in the public sector requires you to write for a diverse range of people, both internal and external stakeholders. The objective of this course is to understand and practise all the key skills for successful written communication in the Civil Service and beyond.

Learning outcomes

  • Learn and practise some useful structural frameworks for writing persuasive English
  • Learn and practise how to structure a proposal or argument most effectively
  • Understand the importance of clarity, plain English, how to avoid jargon and how to be helpful in your writing, and apply it in practice sessions
  • Understand and practise the key principles of how to summarise effectively

Standard Fee and Group Bursary:

The successful transition to our new interactve “Virtual” platform for all our courses means we can now pass on savings to our learners. The rate for virtual workshops is £570 + VAT per place 

If you would like to join the Essential Writing Skills Workshop – please click on link for registration form.  LINK

For information on Special Bursary for individual and group applications, please call 020 3137 8632 or email enquiry@governmentexchange.co.uk  

Please feel free to circulate this information on to any relevant colleagues, and do not hesitate to contact us should you wish to register or require any assistance.

Upcoming courses for 2023

Writing a Strategy – 20/01/2023

Essential Writing Skills For The Public Sector – 25/01/2023

Policy (1) & Policy (2) – 30/01/2022 – 31/01/2023 

A Guide to Strategic Thinking – 31/01/2023

Stakeholder Management For The Public Sector – 09/02/2023

Parliamentary Process – 27/02/2023

Submissions & Briefings – 02/03/2023

Parliamentary Questions – 09/03/2023

Intro to Parliamentary Select Committee – 10/03/2023

Policy Masterclass – 15/03/2023 – 16/03/2023


‘The Charity Commission recognises that many charities are facing difficult circumstances resulting from rapidly increasing costs. This may include their own cashflow but also concern for those they serve and for their own staff facing cost of living pressures…’ Read more here.

During the cost of living crisis, many more individuals will reach out to charities for vital support. We understand the pressure on services and staff alike, so we’ve put some of our key resources in one place. From funding guides and staff training to insightful commentary, articles and links, these are resources designed to help you to help others, especially those seeking welfare support. View our cost of living support hub here.

‘The charity sector has been through a period of drastic upheaval. It has seen huge digital acceleration, shifts in working models, streamlined operations, the arrival of new tech, the optimisation of old tech, and much more – all in the past two years.’ Read more here.

‘A number of people across the charity sector have received recognition in the New Year Honours List 2023. Scope’s chair, Robin Millar, has been recognised in the King’s New Year’s honours list.’ Read more here.

When you think of inspiration what comes to mind? Inspirational people you’ve met, inspiring quotes you’ve seen, inspired ideas that you’ve witnessed come to life? In the charity sector, we are incredibly lucky to be surrounded by inspiring people doing amazing things every day.’ Read more here.

2023 is upon us, but it’s not too late to get yourself and your charity ready for whatever challenges lie ahead. Whether you’re looking for funding, reviewing your strategy, making tough decisions, or just trying to react as best you can to everything that’s thrown at you, here are some brilliant ways to make your next year as successful as possible.’ Read more here.

Hear from NWG Network Community and author of Exploitation It Does Not Stop Because You Turn 18, plus a Safeguarding Adults Digital Conference

 20% Discount available for booking both events*

Transitional Safeguarding Workshop – Online Event

Thursday 19th January 2023, 14:00 – 16:30

Join your colleagues from Safeguarding teams, Children and Family Services, Universities, the third sector and more.

Safeguarding needs continue well beyond a young person’s eighteenth birthday – yet gaps between children’s and adult’s safeguarding services remain. You will hear the latest guidance, new research, case studies and practical insights from our expert speakers on how to improve outcomes for young people at risk as they enter adulthood.

You will hear from the Innovate Project, and Research in Practice, who are carrying out innovative research in the area of transitional safeguarding services. The workshop will be led by Steve Baguley, NWG Network, who was part of a small multi-agency project group that developed the Transitional Safeguarding Briefing – Bridging the Gap published in June 2021. You will hear from practitioners in areas that have implemented a transitional safeguarding approach.

Multi-agency approaches and collaborative working are crucial to ensure success. Participate in an interactive ‘Ask the Experts’ session, gain insight into how to develop a truly collaborative approach to safeguarding that bridges the gap between children’s and adult’s safeguarding services.

Book Now <https://www.westminsterinsight.com/events/transitional-safeguarding-workshop/book/?booking_code=email9T-3761891>

View Agenda <https://www.westminsterinsight.com/events/transitional-safeguarding-workshop/?booking_code=email9T-3761891>

You may also wish to attend the additional half-day conference…

Safeguarding Adults Digital Conference – Online Event

Thursday 19th January 2023, 09:00 – 13:00

We recommend that you also attend our morning conference focussed on improving services for safeguarding adults and meeting increasing need. Book both events to receive a 20% discount.

We will explore the core principles of what makes ‘good’ safeguarding practices. Understand

the proposals for Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS). Hear best practice in leadership and governance and tackling workforce challenges following the pandemic.

Delivered via our bespoke interactive platform, attend live or watch on demand.

View Agenda <https://www.westminsterinsight.com/events/safeguarding-adults-digital-conference/?booking_code=email8T-3761891>

Discounts available:

  • Book both events to receive a 20% discount, the discount will be automatically applied when you book online. Select to attend both events during the booking process
  • Please email us for group bookingS – info@westminsterinsight.com
  • Pay online by credit card and receive a further 10% off (This will be automatically applied when you book online)

If you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to contact me Patricia Ellis, Westminster Insight, t: 0345 647 9000, e: info@westminsterinsight.com