Having recently completed my masters’ dissertation – exploring the processes parents go through in choosing state primary schools for their children – the concept of choice has been on my mind, not only in relation to this subject but for the charity sector too.

In the wake of Brooks Newmarks comments about charities and knitting, Tim Harrison and Cian Murphy explore how MPs and the public feel about the political role of charities.

As I’d taken a bit of a hiatus from social media this summer (the equivalent of living under a rock in 2014), it meant that it was quite a while before I heard about the ALS Ice bucket challenge.

Here at nfpSynergy, we speak to a lot of people about charities. Every year, we speak to 16,000 Brits about all manner of charity questions, along with 700 young people aged 7-16.

With all the technology we have at our disposal, what place does the humble, traditional press release have in the modern world?

I had lunch last week with 10 of the most knowledgeable, analytical and perspicacious minds in the sector, all of whom lead the research function at very successful UK charities.

Last month’s revelation that alcohol charities were receiving funding from drinks companies was no great surprise. Charities always walk a tightrope on funding.