Hope, Hard Work, and a Watchful Eye
The women’s charity sector enters the year with a mixture of hope and caution. Promising government commitments— from new VAWG strategies to the rollout of Raneem’s Law—signal meaningful change, yet real progress hinges on sustained investment and delivery.
Informal Carers: Unseen and Overloaded
Informal carers are the unseen backbone of our care system, quietly taking on responsibilities that grow heavier with time. What carers need most—time and respite—remains the hardest thing to secure.
Reflecting, Adapting, and Moving Forward
Our free Annual Reviews give our customers the chance to reflect on their progress, explore new opportunities, and ensure Lamplight is working perfectly for their needs.
Homelessness: Winter Challenges, and the Need for Safe Accommodation
The UK Government’s National Plan to End Homelessness, released in December 2025, has been welcomed by charities and support services. But as winter bites, councils and charities face mounting challenges to keep people safe.
The Third Sector: Changes on the Horizon
The third sector is full of promises—new leadership at the Charity Commission, bold initiatives like Henry Smith Foundation’s Better Boards programme, and government’s Civil Society Covenant. But with charities facing strikes, redundancies, and mounting legal pressures, will these changes bring real progress or remain well-meaning headlines?
Taking Care of Your Mental Health Over the Holidays
The holiday season can be joyful—but it can also feel stressful, isolating, or overwhelming. If you’re struggling, you’re not alone. Read on for a couple of tips that might just help make this period a little bit easier. Remember to be kind to yourself as you navigate through this time.
A Growing Challenge for Education and Local Authorities
The SEND system is facing growing pressure from rising diagnoses, tight budgets, and delayed reforms. With EHCP backlogs and funding gaps, the sector urgently needs solutions.
Big Hearts, Big Impact: Parent, Child and Family Support
Families face real challenges— but there is some light: funded breaks for carers, programmes for dads, and even therapy dogs in schools. Here’s some of the recent stories we’ve seen.
What Reading The Latest Migration Exchange Report Tells Us
The UK’s refugee and asylum charity sector is growing faster than ever, with more small organisations stepping up to help. But funding remains concentrated among a few large charities, and government support is declining. Here’s what the latest Migration Exchange report reveals.
Standing Together for LGBTQ+ Equality
Pride Month and World Suicide Prevention Day remind us of the urgent need to protect LGBTQ+ rights and mental health. With rising hostility, funding cuts, and increasing suicide risk—especially among marginalised groups—organisations like Derbyshire LGBT+ and Stonewall are calling for action, compassion, and political courage to change the narrative.
Exploring Connection: A Quarter in the Befriending Sector
Emma’s recent exploration of the befriending and older people’s charity sector reveals a community full of compassion and innovation. From quality awards and intergenerational campaigns to new partnerships and joyful events, there’s much to celebrate—yet the rising tide of loneliness reminds us that the sector still faces significant challenges.
Behind the Headlines: What’s Happening in the Women’s Support Sector
More than 60 organisations across the UK are calling for urgent action to tackle Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). From funding challenges to strategic collaboration, this blog explores the latest developments and what they mean for the future of women’s support services.