In today’s world, charities play a vital role not only in providing services but also in raising their voices to advocate for societal change. However, this essential role is often complicated by legal constraints. For many charities, the fear of crossing legal lines – sometimes unclear or inconsistently enforced – creates a “chilling effect” on […]
Blog
Upcoming Workshops on Digital Inclusion for Disabled Volunteers – London (5 June) & Salford (12 June)
From Daiga Kamerāde, Professor in Work and Well-being , School of Health & Society Director of Research Centre for Inclusive Society, University of Salford I’m pleased to invite you to a practical, in-person workshop exploring digital inclusion for disabled volunteers, based on findings from the Digitvol research project. We are running two sessions: London – Wednesday 5 June (12:30–4:00pm, […]
Registration open for Voluntary Action History Society Conference 2-3 July 2025
Voluntary Action History Society’s 8TH International Conference: ‘New Ways of Doing Voluntary Action History?’ University of Liverpool, UK, 2-3 July 2025 Registration now open VAHS is pleased to announce that the registration for its 8th International Conference is now open. This is a ‘boutique’ conference which will take place over two days rather than the […]
A hello from the new Co-Chairs of VSSN
Amy Sanders (Aberystwyth University) and Vita Terry (IVAR) We know right now might be an unsettling time for some voluntary sector researchers with the state of flux currently in the world, and because of this, we believe that spaces to come together are ever more important: to pause, reflect, and connect with one another. We thought […]
Connecting knowledges, linking sectors, closing gaps
Blog by Amy Sanders and Jurgen Grotz On Tuesday, 25th June 2024 the Voluntary Sector Studies Network, Volunteer Now, NICVA, ARK, Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University jointly hosted a symposium in Belfast to explore pathways to collaborating on voluntary and community sector research in Northern Ireland. We recognised that research within and […]
Reflections of a trustee by Jon Dean
Being a VSSN Trustee Jon Dean, Sheffield Hallam University If you are interested in becoming a Trustee of VSSN, or joining the Voluntary Sector Review Editorial Board, please click here. Any issues, please email execofficer@vssn.org.uk. When I applied to become a Trustee of the VSSN, and then later volunteered to Chair the organisation, I did […]
6 Insights on Youth Volunteering for International Youth Day
By Stephen Craker – Chief Executive, Communities 1st As the world comes together to observe International Youth Day, the spotlight is cast on the profound significance of engaging young individuals in shaping a brighter future. This day serves as a call to recognise and address the unique challenges and opportunities faced by young people. […]
Wiserd, Wilsons and Welsh cakes
Sophie and Susannah went along to a Voluntary Sector Studies Network (VSSN) conference in Aberystwyth last week at the National Library of Wales. Wiserd is the Wales Institute of Social and Economic Research and Data, which organised the conference alongside the VSSN. The topic of conversation was “The role of community and voluntary organisations in […]
VSSN’s Strategic Review 2023
Every so often, the Voluntary Sector Studies Network’s Trustee Board undertakes a review of our organisation’s strategy. This includes going back to first principles: looking at our charitable objectives and assessing how best to meet them, to serve our members and the wider voluntary sector and associated research communities. At the start of 2023, with […]
6 things you need to know about small charities
At the start of Small Charity Week, Jon Dean provides an overview of key pieces of research outlining the value small charities and key issues affecting them. As Small Charity Week starts, it is important to think about the specific contribution that small charities make to communities throughout the UK and across the world. Small […]
