Protecting the public realm without shutting it down
As Martyn's Law approaches, this free special report from LocalGov and Hill & Smith sets out how councils can protect public spaces without shutting them down.
Action needed to avert reorganisation’s threat to councils’ links with charities, report warns
13/08/2026 Action is needed by councils undergoing local government reorganisation (LGR) to ensure the changes do not hinder partnerships with their local voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector. |
Devon County Council calls for volunteers to fill in potholes
22/05/2026 Devon County Council is calling for more volunteers to join its community road warden scheme as it marks a decade since the initiative was rolled out. |
Public libraries face volunteering workforce pressures
17/02/2026 A new report has warned that England’s public libraries face mounting workforce and infrastructure pressures as volunteering continues to expand. |
The power of Volunteer Responders
11/08/2023 Sam Ward, deputy CEO, Royal Voluntary Service discusses how Volunteer Responders can enhance people’s experiences of care in care home settings. |
Council adopts land transfer policy to ‘kick-start a grassroots revolution’
24/06/2022 Liverpool council is set to launch a radical new scheme that will make council land available to voluntary groups in order to encourage local regeneration. |
Local authorities must seize the potential for health and care volunteering
31/05/2022 Paddy Hanrahan calls on councils to harness the support of trained volunteers to help combat huge challenges |
Volunteering fund sees £4.6m investment
14/04/2022 Thousands of young people, people with disabilities and those experiencing loneliness will get the opportunity to volunteer thanks to a £4.6m investment. |
Study finds councillors do more voluntary work than MPs and civil servants
04/03/2022 Local councillors do more voluntary work and are more engaged with charities than other policymakers, according to new research. |
Government launches £7m volunteering fund
22/11/2021 The Government has launched a £7m fund to help people access more volunteering opportunities across a range of sectors including the arts and sport. |
Extra £4m to boost community activities for young people
12/08/2021 Government will invest £2m into the #iwill Fund, which will be matched by The National Lottery Community Fund, to create new community activities for youth. |
Government to give volunteers job protection to help fight coronavirus
09/03/2020 New measures to make it easier for volunteers to help support health and social care services have been introduced by the Government in the fight against the coronavirus. |
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Change law to enable volunteers to respond to disasters, Red Cross says
20/11/2019 The British Red Cross is calling for the law to be changed so that voluntary groups are included in planning responses to emergencies and disasters. |
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Council accidentally cuts down 800 young trees
20/11/2019 Reading Borough Council has apologised to community volunteers after accidentally digging up hundreds of newly planted saplings. |
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Somerset council signs six ‘community library partnerships’
08/04/2019 Somerset County Council signed six ‘community library partnerships’ last week in a move that will help maintain library services in the face of cuts. |
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Whitehall announces £250,000 to support youth integration
17/07/2018 The Government has announced £250,000 will be provided to help national youth groups ‘unlock’ the full potential of youngsters. |
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Council response to Grenfell tragedy was 'weak' - report
30/05/2018 Damage caused by Kensington and Chelsea RLBC's ‘weak’ response in the immediate aftermath of the Grenfell Tower fire will be ‘difficult to repair,’ a report has suggested. |
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Stepping in to meet a need
31/10/2017 In the face of continued pressure on local authority finances, Anna Dixon looks at how the voluntary sector are stepping in to meet the needs of older adults with care needs. |
