“Fantastic opportunity for courageous charities to respond to this public plea”, rallies nfpSynergy’s BakerThe public are keener than ever for charities to be 'supportive', 'sympathetic' and 'responsive', now that the UK has entered recession, according to new data out today: demands that pose an interesting challenge to an already struggling third sector.

 Last year 1 in 4 MPs didn't even bother going, rising to almost 1 in 3 Labour MPs  "More persuasive to lobby politicians face-to-face in Westminster or at constituency level" says nfpSynergy's Lincoln As the party conference season gets underway, only 13% of MPs and 9% of Peers rate attending such gatherings as one of the best ways for charities to influence them, trailing almost every other lobby tactic - according to a poll out today.

“Flabby” Government definitions exaggerate volunteering figures Pet-sitting, pub-pointing, child-cheering and picketing could all, officially, count as “volunteering”“Tighter definitions needed to uncover true volunteering levels; and to plan/evaluate Government strategy and investment,” vies nfpSynergy’s BakerLooking after a pet for a friend, pointing out a pub to a stranger, cheering your child at cricket or even joining a picket: these are all countable instances of volunteering according to Government

Direct “personal contact” and having a “long-established brand” adjudged next most trust-inducing attributes.

Those more likely to say they either have given less, or will give less, to charity during an economic downturn are less likely to have given anything anyway!