In this article from Charity Comms, Emma Bracegirdle from Holly Cuthbert offers five simple ways that teams can better their charity’s communications in 2025. Take a look here.

 

Ioan Marc Jones from Charity Digital has gathered together all of the social media trends set to define 2025. Take a look here.

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is launching its new annual notification service for volunteer subscribers to the Update Service, allowing subscribers to confirm that they still require the service.

From Sunday 8 December 2024, subscribers to the Update Service will be emailed 30 days before their renewal date to ask if they wish to stay subscribed. Renewal dates are based on original joining dates. In preparation for this change, DBS advises volunteers to check that the email address attached to their subscription is linked to the individual who is subscribed.

The renewal email will ask volunteers to access their Update Service Account and confirm that they wish to continue with the service. For those who confirm, this request will be repeated annually. If no confirmation is made, their volunteer subscription will automatically be cancelled. 

Volunteers who do not renew their subscription will not be able to keep their DBS certificate(s) up to date and organisations will not be able to check them. They will need to reapply for a DBS check if they need one in the future.

Charity sector figures share their thoughts on the latest scheme to improve relations between the state and voluntary organisations. Read more here.

I am writing to update you following the public consultation held between 2 September and 13 October 2024 proposing changes to bus routes 14 and 414 between Putney and central London. We received 914 responses to the consultation and would like to thank everyone that took part.  

Bus routes 14 and 414 operate similar routes, often using the same roads. As part of our continual review of the bus network, monitoring of bus services between Putney and central London showed more buses were running on route 414 than are needed by customers, and passenger numbers had reduced by 48-50 per cent across a typical week.  

To help better match bus capacity with customer needs and to simplify the bus network in the area, we proposed that route 414 would no longer operate, and route 14 would operate more often. 

Our decision 

Following careful consideration of the consultation responses and a further review of what was proposed, we have decided to proceed with these proposals as set out in the consultation. This includes a frequency increase on route 14 which will operate with a bus every eight minutes instead of every ten minutes once route 414 is withdrawn. 

Today we have published our consultation report which confirms this decision. The report also includes our response to the key issues that were raised.  

In reaching this decision we took into consideration concerns related to reduced bus frequency between Putney and central London, including for access to the Chelsea and Westminster, Royal Brompton and Royal Marsden hospital; and also concerns related to access between Putney Bridge station and Putney Bridge for onward journeys on route 14. 

London is constantly changing, and we keep the bus network under continuous review, evolving it to ensure that services reflect changing usage and deliver value for money while providing a comprehensive and attractive network.  

Our data shows a frequency of a bus every eight minutes on route 14 is sufficient to provide enough space for passengers at the busiest points on the along the route once the 414 is withdrawn. This includes for passengers accessing hospitals.  Once these service changes are implemented, our monitoring will continue to ensure services match demand. 

Passengers currently using the 414 to travel to and from Putney Bridge Tube station/ Station Approach would in future walk to Putney Bridge/Gonville Street to access routes 14 and 74.  

Next steps 

It is intended the withdrawal of route 414 will take place during February 2025. Comprehensive customer information will be issued in advance of any changes to ensure customers are aware. 

Thank you again to everyone that took part in the consultation. 

Geoff Hobbs

Director, Public Transport Service Planning