It’s safe to say all our lives have changed in the last couple of weeks. We are in the midst of unprecedented circumstances and the continuing uncertainty that coronavirus brings is one that is not going away any time soon. Almost overnight what we all considered to be normal day-to-day life radically changed and now we must all find a way to cope with the new status quo of staying indoors, social distancing and finding new ways of working remotely.
The inescapable new reality we currently face brings with it the challenge of losing face-to-face contact with the people we as charity communicators are here to support and forces us all to think about how we can most effectively continue communicating in the weeks and months ahead. Strategic communications at times like these are more important than ever and we want you to know that we have your back for all the challenges to come. Charity communicators as ever play a vital role in mobilising support for our organisations and in shaping and amplifying a message of hope and agency in a time of crisis and we want to make sure you have the tools to do just that.
Remember: the charity community is strong and we will get through these difficult times together.
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- Looking for other helpful resources? Check out the list below…
Sector action points
Talking about coronavirus and poverty: a guide to framing your messages – JRF
Guidance on clear narratives and ways to frame calls for government support
Impact of COVID-19 on charity communications survey – MediaTrust and CharityComms
Latest CharityComms tips for coping with coronavirus and changing ways of working
Five steps to framing messages on coronavirus and poverty
Crisis communications for charities: best practice guide
Digital remote working tools: sector tips
Top tips for parents working at home with kids during coronavirus
How to support staff wellbeing during Covid19
Learning new skills from your home office
Our survey with Media Trust reveals the challenges you are facing
How do you maintain a sense of team remotely?
Fundraising during Coronavirus – Maintaining and building your relationship with supporters
How can charities use data to help communities during Covid-19?
Inspiring virtual charity fundraiser ideas
Covid-19 and CharityComms – CharityChat podcast interview with CC CEO Adeela Warley
How to make short term comms solutions a part of long term strategy too
Engagement strategies for charities
Digital campaigning in the time of Covid
Sign up to be a charity shop volunteer
Planning for a new job: what to do when it’s time to move on
What is the role of comms teams in responding to social crises?
Useful sector resources to bookmark
Coronavirus: practical support and information – NCVO
Coronavirus updates: live blog – Third Sector
Free Coronavirus Resources for Charities – Lightful
Coronavirus Comms, Crisis Communication Best Practices – Empower
Coronavirus comms planning ahead – Madeleine Sugden
Framing Covid19 – Frameworks Institute
COVID-19 (Coronavirus) support and resources – PRCA
Coronavirus tech handbook – Newspeak House
Working from home retro – The Developer Society
Free Global Media and News Tracker – LexisNexis
Free digital communications resources for charities to use during coronavirus – MediaTrust
COVID-19 Response Toolkit: Event Management and Fundraising Resources – Blackbaud
Digital fundraising for small charities (in a hurry) – Reason Digital
Free volunteer platform – MediaTrust
Free resources to help charities – The Brand Blog
Free online guide to virtual fundraising for charities – Charity Digital
Your guide to survive-and-thrive the post-covid environment (briefing) – Civil Society Consulting
Delivering financial support during Coronavirus – ACO
How to prioritise digital marketing tactics – Fresh Egg
How to make the most of your charity’s social media during lockdown – Civil Society
Quick guide to virtual fundraising – Volunteering Matters.
Charity Fraud Awareness Hub – ON24
How to improve cyber security within your charity – NCSC
How charities can survive, adapt and thrive through the crisis – CAF
Free images to illustrate your coronavirus content – Fundraising UK
How to support staff wellbeing during coronavirus – NCVO
Catalyst and The National Lottery Community Fund COVID-19 Digital Response
Five charities who are switching it up during the pandemic – Reason Digital
Support for fundraisers who have been made redundant – Institute of Fundraising
The Organiser’s Activity Book – Tactical Tech
COVID-19 Resource Center for Nonprofits – Donorbox
Online training videos
Writing opinion pieces during coronavirus – Peter Gilheaney, Forster Communications
Turning cancelled events into digital events – Vanessa Weddell, CharityComms
How to create viral campaign videos in lockdown
Free course: Fundraising in the Time of the Coronavirus – Philantropia
More great reads from across the charity sector network and beyond
“Better Stories”: How to support people to do great media interviews – OnRoad Media
Work from home like a winner – Charity Nikki
Bring you whole shelf to work – The Unmistakeables
Ten tips for staying productive when working from home – Cantarus
Building a digital workforce – NCVO
How to get people to actually participate in virtual meetings – Harvard Business Review
How to run an online workshop – Brand by Me
10 tips for working from home – JustGiving
Remote Working: Sharing what we have learned – The Blurt Foundation
Zoom meet ups: 5 top tips for meetings without uninvited guests
Eight tips for managing remote teams – Lightful
PR tips for during coronavirus – Heather Collins, Do Good PR
Framing COVID-19: Talking about what comes next – Frameworks Institute
A how to guide for virtual fundraising events – Charity Fundraising
7 tips for finding focus and reducing digital distractions – Asana
Audience engagement during and beyond the pandemic – Sarah Fitzgerald, Self Comms
Seven tips for running better remote meetings – Torchbox
How charities have adapted their content in light of Covid-19 – Lightful
How are charities adapting to Covid-19? – NPC
Working from home: A guide to creating a healthy and productive workspace at home – Cotswold Co
Fundraising support for charities – Ecclesiastical
How Nonprofits Have Reframed Their Messaging in the Wake of Coronavirus
Advice for looking after wellbeing and mental health in turbulent times
Mental health and Covid-19 webinar series – United for global mental health
Coronavirus and work advice hub – Mind
How to have things to look forward to right now- happiful
Wellbeing guide for comms professionals – CharityComms
Five ways charity communicators can emotionally protect themselves – CharityComms
Coronavirus and your wellbeing – Mind
Looking after your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak – Mental Health Foundation
When home becomes the workplace: mental health and remote work – Forbes
Mindfulness Tips from ellenor’s head of wellbeing: