Charity Commission to launch major new research on Northern Ireland charities

The public’s perception of Northern Ireland’s charities will be under the spotlight in September, following the publication of a new research report by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland.

The report, entitled Public trust and confidence in charities, will be launched at the Long Gallery, Stormont, on Tuesday 6 September 2016.

Welcoming the forthcoming launch, Chief Charity Commissioner, Tom McGrath, highlighted that this is the first major research into public trust and confidence in charities to have been undertaken by the charity regulator. 

He continued: “Coming at a time when charities are facing increasing challenges, this research has a key role to play in supporting charities in understanding public perceptions, and how they can work to improve those views.

“It will also provide a wider overview of levels of public trust in charities at present, including how those opinions have changed in recent years and, crucially, what factors have influenced those changes.”

Over 1,000 individuals from across Northern Ireland were interviewed for the research, which was independently carried out by Ipsos Mori on behalf of the Commission.

The full report, which has a core focus on levels of public trust and confidence in charities, will be available on the Commission’s website www.charitycommissionni.org.uk following the launch.

Highlight information will also be published on the day, looking at specific areas of the research, including:

• key drivers influencing public trust and confidence
• how to increase public trust and confidence in your charity
• views on the effectiveness of charity regulation in Northern Ireland
• levels of public trust and confidence in the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland.

Launch details

Date:          Tuesday 6 September
Time:          2.30pm – 4pm (registration from 2pm)
Venue:        The Long Gallery, Parliament Buildings, Stormont

The launch will include an overview from Frances McCandless, Commission Chief Executive, on the research results and how they will influence the future work of the Commission.

It will also provide an opportunity for attendees to ask questions and comment on the findings, sharing their thoughts on how the charity sector can best use the new data.

Space is limited and seats will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. To book a seat, please email consult@charitycommissionni.org.uk or telephone 028 3832 0220 by Wednesday 31 August, providing your name, company and job role (if applicable), contact email address and telephone number. Please also outline if you have any accessibility requirements.

Ends

For more information please contact Shirley Kernan, Charity Commission for Northern Ireland Communications Officer, on tel: 028 3832 0169, mobile: 07827338978 or email: shirley.kernan@charitycommissionni.org.uk

Notes to editors

The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland is the regulator of charities in Northern Ireland, a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Communities.