Sector membership body NCVO has discussed volunteer safety as part of a “constructive” first meeting with the government’s recently appointed minister for civil society, Vicky Foxcroft.
NCVO’s chief executive Kate Lee and chief influencing officer Leigh Brimicombe met Foxcroft on Monday to discuss several topics including restrictions on charity campaigning.
They talked about the need for sustainable funding for charities delivering public services, increasing collaboration, the importance of gift aid and protecting the independence of the Charity Commission, NCVO said.
“We also highlighted the need for strong national and local infrastructure, and investment in the coordination and connectivity that enable organisations to work together, share learning and make their collective voice heard,” the sector body said.
They also discussed the need to embed the principles of the Civil Society Covenant across the civil service, NCVO said, with Lee also chairing the council that oversees its implementation.
“We welcomed the minister’s passionate commitment to convening the sector on key issues, championing the sector’s contribution and working alongside the sector to address the challenges and seize the opportunities ahead,” NCVO said.
“This first meeting was a valuable opportunity to discuss openly and we appreciate the minister’s engagement on a wide range of topics.
“We will continue to make the case for civil society, raise the issues that matter to organisations across the sector, and challenge where change is needed.
“We look forward to working with the minister and her team to turn our shared ambitions into action.”
Foxcroft’s brief was confirmed last week nearly two months after she was appointed to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport following Andy Burnham becoming prime minister.
RNLI’s volunteers have faced online and physical abuse this month in the wake of the anti-immigration protests.
