The Charity Comms Edit: Issue 02
Last month I wrote about slowing down over summer - and then I actually did it, possibly for the first time in my charity comms career. I went away for 5 days, didn't open my laptop once, barely looked at my stories, and kept my inbox firmly closed. For someone who has historically edited caption typos from sun loungers - this was a big deal.
The verdict? Comms survived. No one died. The world kept turning. But the thing that struck me most wasn't that everything was fine without me - it was realising how uncomfortable switching off felt at first, and what that says about the culture we've built around always being on. The "I just need to check" feeling isn't really about the work needing you, it's about being so used to being switched on that switching off feels wrong.
So if you've got annual leave coming up this summer, please actually take it. Close the apps (or delete them from your phone!). Step away from your inbox. It will all be there when you get back - and you'll be better at the job for having properly rested.
Make it count: The World Cup
The World Cup runs until 19 July - and whether your charity has a natural connection to football or not, it's worth paying attention to how some charities have used this moment brilliantly.
I've pulled together a roundup of charities that have used the tournament to say something that actually matters - from domestic abuse to food poverty to immigration. There's a lot to learn from how they've approached it, and with the final still to come, there's still time to take note.
Sector spotlight: under-16s social media ban
Last month the government announced a ban on social media for under-16s - and even though it won't come into force until early 2027, now is the time to start thinking about what it means for your comms if your charity works with young people.
CharityComms have put together a practical explainer on what it means for your comms strategy. Worth a read before you plan your next campaign.
Comms that caught my eye: RSPCA
While I was away, the UK had a heatwave - and the RSPCA responded brilliantly. Practical advice for pet owners about walking times, hot pavements and keeping animals cool, across social media and national and regional press.
But one line stood out above everything else: "Dogs never died from missing a walk." Short. Memorable. Impossible to misunderstand. It's everything emergency messaging should be.
The lesson? In urgent situations, simplicity wins. The message people remember is the one that's impossible to forget.
Try this: Look back at your last urgent post or press release. Could your audience repeat the key message back to you in one sentence? If not, it needs simplifying.
What I’ve been reading lately
How to solve friction between comms and fundraising teams
If you've ever felt the tension between brand and fundraising needs, this Third Sector podcast is worth 24 minutes of your time. Practical and very honest.
Five ways to pitch uplifting stories to the media and get a yes
Practical tips on getting your good news stories placed - useful if media relations is on your July to-do list
NCVO’s Spring Briefing
Charities are increasingly operating in "protection mode" - rising demand, financial pressure, online hostility, rapid tech change. If you want to understand the wider landscape your comms sits within, this is worth an hour of your time...
On that note - enjoy the summer. You've got approximately 25 weeks until Christmas campaign season. (And if that made your stomach drop a little... it might be time to start thinking about it. Just saying!)
Speak soon,
Abi
