Major charity chief executives have said the sector must stop being seen as the UK’s “fourth emergency service” in a report published today.
The Charity Reform Group (CRG), made up of 14 national charity CEOs, and the infrastructure charity Sheila McKechnie Foundation called on the government and the private sector to work with the sector as equal partners to better address the country’s social challenges.
Their Forces For Good report states that there is “a poor understanding of what charities do and the value they generate, often rooted in outmoded and negative associations”.
“The concern is that these misconceptions and constraints are, in concert, limiting charities to being merely service providers – acting almost as the UK’s ‘fourth emergency service’ – rather than being the independent, dynamic, and creative agents of transformational change that so many are, and so many more could be,” it says.
The report, consisting of a series of essays and set of recommendations, provides recommendations on how charities can present themselves to the public, improve collaboration with other sectors and be better campaigners.
‘A mature functional relationship with government’
Matt Downie, Crisis chief executive, says in the report: “A new, healthier, confident place for the third sector in our national life is required.
“One that is based on a mature functional relationship with government. There is a natural tension between the high aspirations of cause-led organisations, and ministers and officials who must temper such idealism with political, financial, and other realities.
“Once acknowledged, that tension can lead to great things.”
Chris Sherwood, RSPCA chief executive, says: “Charities have the power to change policies, practices and lives, but we need to be part of the solution from the start.
“We need a strong relationship with government, one of mutual respect, trust and collaboration, open to tackling the biggest problems together.”
Mark Russell, the Children’s Society chief executive, says: “I passionately believe in civil society and am proud to stand with so many friends across our sector to argue for the change we want to see.
“Each of our charities brings experience, evidence, creativity, innovation, and solutions to the table.
“In many cases, these are rooted in over a century of public service and fuelled by millions of citizens who stand with us and invest in our work with their time, money and voice.”
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