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April 2025 Edition.

Welcome to the April edition.

As we move into April, our Chief Executive discusses the national and international challenges currently facing charities, including changes to welfare benefits and National Insurance, as well as important consultations on charity accounting and and audit thresholds.

👉 Read Donal's full update here.

Member
Spotlight:

Turn2us

Turn2us PIP Helper: Empowering Organisations to Better Support Their Communities

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can significantly improve the quality of life for people living with disabilities or long-term health conditions. Yet, the complexity of the application process and fear of rejection often discourage eligible individuals from applying. To tackle this issue head-on, Turn2us developed the Turn2us PIP Helper in close collaboration with Disabled people and health and disability charities, ensuring its relevance and effectiveness. It’s a robust, user-friendly digital tool designed to demystify the process and empower both individuals and organisations navigating PIP applications.

Since its launch, the Turn2us PIP Helper has been visited by over 350,000 people, with a quarter actively using its interactive features. Nearly 9,000 individuals have created personalised accounts to track their application progress and access tailored checklists.

The tool simplifies the application journey by:
  • Clarifying user rights and entitlements under the PIP system.
  • Estimating potential PIP awards based on personal circumstances.
  • Providing personalised guidance on accurately completing complex application forms.
  • Signposting additional mental health support, ensuring user wellbeing at every stage.
Organisations within the Association of Charitable Organisations (ACO) have particularly benefited from embedding the PIP Helper into their services. The tool addresses two key organisational needs:
  • For organisations providing one-to-one advice: The PIP Helper enhances the quality and consistency of advice delivered by advisors. It reduces training requirements and allows frontline staff to confidently support clients through the PIP process.
  • For organisations that do not provide direct one-to-one advice: Embedding or signposting the PIP Helper is an efficient way to offer significant practical support without needing specialist staff.
With demand growing due to uncertainty around ongoing PIP reforms, Turn2us continues to support organisations through this period of heightened anxiety, ensuring they are equipped to help the communities they serve.

Read the full article to learn how charities are using the PIP Helper and how your organisation can get involved.
 

Guest
Article:

WRS Insurance Brokers

Protecting Your Charity from Cyber Threats – A Guide from WRS Insurance Brokers

As charities increasingly rely on digital systems, the risk of cybercrime and fraud is becoming a growing concern. From phishing scams that target donor data to ransomware attacks that disrupt essential services, the impact of a cyber incident can be devastating. That’s why WRS Insurance Brokers, charity insurance specialists for over 50 years, have created a comprehensive guide: ‘Cyber Insurance & Fraud Protection for Charities’.

This guide is designed to help charities and not-for-profit organisations understand the evolving cyber risks they may face and how to put the right protections in place. Whether it’s safeguarding sensitive information, preventing financial fraud, or ensuring operational continuity, having the right knowledge and cover in place is crucial.

Download your free guide here.

Beyond cyber risks, charities also face a wide range of challenges, from property damage and liability claims to event cancellations and trustee protection. WRS understands that every organisation is unique, and their expert team can help you navigate the complexities of charity insurance.

WRS is offering free insurance reviews to help charities assess their risks and ensure they have the right cover in place. Whether you need guidance on cyber protection, public liability, trustee indemnity, or any other insurance concern, their team is ready to help.

Get in touch today for a free review, a quote, or expert advice: www.wrsinsurance.co.uk/association-of-charitable-organisations-enquiry/

Protect your charity’s mission with expert guidance from WRS Insurance Brokers.

Member
News

Vetlife Reports 26% Surge in Helpline Contacts and Financial Support Applications

Read the article here.

Celebrating 15 years of the RCN Foundation!

Read the article here.

Longleigh Foundation: Partner Selected For Rural Housing Research Project

Read the article here.

CISWO expands services to support former miners and their families with end of life planning

Read the article here.

Policy and Sector
News

Charity regulator warns about fraudulent letters sent on its behalf

Read the article here.

Essential bills “eating away” at incomes of lowest earners

Read the article here.

Ill and disabled people will be made ‘invisible’ by UK benefit cuts, say experts

Read the article here.

Child poverty rises - warning of worse to come on this government’s watch

Read the article here.

Publications

"I need help now": Trends in online conversations about poverty over 14 years of Conservative government

This report is the fourth and final wave of a collbaoration between Demos and the Joseph Roundtree Foundation that investigated:

  • What can we learn from social media about people’s experiences of poverty and hardship in the UK?
  • How can these learnings be scaled or tested in the future?

It takes a retrospective look over the last 14 years of government up to August 2024, analysing various policy shifts and what these have meant for individuals living in financial hardship.

Read Here.

Hidden hardships: The immigration system and child poverty

In this research the IPPR explore the unique barriers to escaping poverty while navigating the immigration system, and the enduring impact of immigration policies on children's lives. A fair and effective child poverty strategy must confront these issues to ensure that no child – regardless of their background – is left behind.

Read Here.

ACO
Events

Join an upcoming event, exclusive to ACO members.
Welfare Benefits Update
2, 11 and 29 April 2025
CEO Forum
10 April 2025
Anti-Fraud Group
15 April 2025
Managing Volunteers and Ambassadors
23 April 2025
AGM and Summer Social
12 June 2025

Looking for a new role or wanting to advertise a vacancy?

The ACO Jobs Board connects you with passionate professionals dedicated to making a difference. Whether you're recruiting for a new position or seeking your next career opportunity, our platform is here to help.

👉 Ready to post a job or find your next opportunity?
Click here to explore the ACO Jobs Board.

Become a ACO member

ACO membership is open to organisations that provide financial/wellbeing support to individuals in need. We provide a forum to help maximise your impact through collaboration, peer connection and knowledge sharing with other similar organisations in the sector.


Find out more about ACO membership, including how to join, here.

 

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