Senior Researcher Kalli Jayasuriya shares her expert advice on how to decode funding jargon. Take a look here.
The UK government introduced the Civil Society Covenant to strengthen partnerships with civil society. A new Civil Society Council has been formed to support this, meeting quarterly at Downing Street. Read more here.
In this article we look at the key expected changes to employment law under the Employment Rights Act 2025, due to come into effect throughout this year and next.
The Employment Rights Act 2025 represents one of the most significant reforms to UK employment law in recent decades. The legislation introduces wide-ranging changes affecting unfair dismissal rights, workplace protections and employment practices, with many reforms expected to be implemented between 2026 and 2027. Read more
International Women’s Day (IWD) is marked annually on March 8. It’s the biggest women-focused day of the year and sees groups worldwide celebrate and support women’s advancement in their own special, most relevant way. All IWD activity is valid, that’s what makes IWD so inclusive.
The theme of IWD 2026 is “Give To Gain”, encouraging a mindset of generosity and collaboration.
Give To Gain emphasizes the power of reciprocity and support. When people, organizations, and communities give generously, opportunities and support for women increase. Giving is not a subtraction, it’s intentional multiplication. When women thrive, we all rise.
Whether through donations, knowledge, resources, infrastructure, visibility, advocacy, education, training, mentoring, or time, contributing to women’s advancement helps create a more supportive and interconnected world.
If you are planning an event or activity that could highlight the role of women in the VCSE, please shout out and we can publicise.
Info on this year’s campaign and IWD events can be found here: https://www.internationalwomensday.com
Community learning classes
New classes ready for you to join! For any questions, call the ACL team on: 020 4516 9972 or email aclbookings@openage.org.uk
- Spring Learning Courses
- How to Use Social Media
- Introduction to A.I.
- Travel Smart: Book Flights, Trains, Stays & Activities
Adult Community Learning Courses | OpenAge
Activities, events & trips
- Chi Gong in the park (Porchester Square Gardens)
- Fashion Knitting
- Dance Exercise
- History of Art Online – 6th February
- IT Connect More at New Horizons – 10th February
- Two Temple Place Building Tour – 12th February
- Community Wellbeing through Art Talk at The Avenues – 23rd February
VCS trainings that were due to take place before the 24th February have now been postponed.
This is to ensure a proper promotion in the lead up to these sessions, so that as many people as possible are able to make use of them.
Groups should look out for updates on HF Community Compass.
Michelle Benson, Founder of Culture of Philanthropy, offers her tips for using LinkedIn as a relationship-building tool for fundraisers. Gain some tips on using LinkedIn here.
Jay Kennedy highlights the new Charity Commission guidance, urging trustees and leaders to report serious incidents and strengthen safeguards. Take a look here.
Huge congratulations to Jazz Brown who is awarded the British Empire Medal and the distinguished list includes Hammersmith comedian Bill Bailey, charity and cultural leaders and NHS experts.
Raquel Garrido-Soriano from Visionary shares her personal journey into the sight loss sector and reflects on how embedding accessibility as a core, evolving practice through small, practical steps can create genuinely inclusive documents, conversations and organisations. Take a look here.
sobus
20 Dawes Road, London, SW6 7EN
Telephone 020 7952 1230
Email info@sobus.org.uk
Registered Charity No.1071089
and Company Limited by Guarantee. Registered in England No.03471416
Sobus is a new Community Development Agency for Hammersmith & Fulham. It has been created through the merger of the Community and Voluntary Sector Association Hammersmith & Fulham (CaVSA) and the Fulham Community Partnership Trust (FCPT). Building on the strengths of both organisations, sobus aims to provide a wider range of support services for local charities, community groups, social enterprises and start up businesses.