# NCVO report warns of rising hostility and fear facing charities

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2025/12/11/ncvo-report-warns-of-rising-hostility-and-fear-facing-charities/
- Published: 2025-12-11T10:25:00+00:00
- Author: Howard Lake

**Charities across the UK are facing increasing levels of hostility, intimidation
and fear that are affecting staff, volunteers and service users, according to a 
new report from the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO).**

The report, based on five listening sessions with representatives from 46 voluntary
organisations, reveals that growing political and social divisions are creating 
a “pervasive climate of fear” that is disrupting charity operations and compromising
safety.

Four major areas of concern emerged:

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 * **Fear and anxiety:** Staff and volunteers, particularly those from global majority
   backgrounds, report feeling unsafe in their daily work.
 * **Operational disruption:** Charities have cancelled community events, reduced
   their online presence or limited public activity due to threats and security 
   risks.
 * **Direct targeting and abuse:** Organisations have faced intimidating messages
   and harassment, prompting some to remove personal information such as trustee
   names from websites.
 * **Internal tensions:** Disagreements within teams, boards, and volunteer groups
   are increasing, often fuelled by wider societal divisions.

Participants also cited misinformation campaigns and false narratives as key drivers
of public hostility, contributing to racist or abusive behaviour from some service
users.

![Feedback from one NCVO member](https://wfay6x.infiniteuploads.cloud/2026/03/quote-
from-ncvo-divided-times-report-2025@2x.png)

Image: NCVO

![Feedback from NCVO member](https://wfay6x.infiniteuploads.cloud/2026/03/divided-
times-ncvo-report-quote-3@2x.png)

Image: NCVO

![Feedback from NCVO member](https://wfay6x.infiniteuploads.cloud/2026/03/divided-
times-ncvo-report-quote-2@2x.png)

Image: NCVO

**Kate Lee OBE**, NCVO’s chief executive, urged solidarity and coordinated support
across the sector:

> “We need to stand together to support organisations simply trying to deliver their
> vital work and protect the space civil society occupies.”

**Mark Simms OBE**, Chair of the Charity Commission, described the findings as “
deeply alarming” but commended the sector’s “remarkable resilience.”

In response, NCVO plans to:

 * Produce new guidance on safety, risk management and online hate in partnership
   with specialist agencies.
 * Create confidential peer-support spaces for charity leaders and frontline staff.
 * Strengthen collective advocacy through the Civil Society Covenant to challenge
   divisive narratives.

**Jenny Walton**, Chief Executive of Refugee Employment Network, said smaller charities
are particularly exposed:

> “When small charities are targeted or pressured into silence, solidarity across
> the sector matters… Together, we are far stronger than the challenges we face.”

 * **[NCVO Web site](https://fundraising.co.uk/1996/11/15/ncvo-web-site/)** (15 
   November 1996)
 * **[NCVO launches campaign for new Charity Bill in 2003 Queen's Speech](https://fundraising.co.uk/2002/10/01/ncvo-launches-campaign-new-charity-bill-2003-queen039s-speech/)**(
   1 October 2002)
 * **[NCVO publishes 'Voluntary Sector Almanac 2004'](https://fundraising.co.uk/2004/02/18/ncvo-publishes-039voluntary-sector-almanac-2004039/)**(
   18 February 2004)