Commission to launch new website
The Commission will this week launch its new website, marking a major step in its ongoing work to improve how charities, trustees and the public access information and services.
The new site is the final stage of a development programme which began in 2024-25 with improvements to the Commission’s existing website, followed in 2025-26 with development of an updated new website.
Gerard McCurdy, Chief Charity Commissioner, explained that the goal from the start was to build a website shaped by its users and informed by real user behaviour and traffic patterns.
He continued: “A key part of the project was gathering feedback early in the process from members of the public and charity volunteers, sector bodies and members of the Commission’s Stakeholder Forum.
“This has been invaluable in helping us create a clearer, more accessible and simple-to-navigate online space - one that supports charities and the public to find the right information quickly and with confidence.”
As a result, the design has been significantly improved and now includes features like combined search of the website and charity register, more direct and intuitive ways to reach portals such as My Charity login (Online services) and registration applications as well as streamlined access to core guidance, language options and page feedback rating.
Clarity and ease of use were central to the redesign, whether someone is a member of the public seeking information about a charity or a trustee looking for guidance or to submit an online request.
The Department for Communities’ Independent Review of Charity Regulation, published in 2022, made recommendations to strengthen charity regulation in Northern Ireland, including better communication, accessibility and support for charities. The new site is a key part of delivering those improvements and aligns with the Review’s call for the Commission to improve and update its website (recommendation 19).
Alongside development of the website, the Commission has made significant progress in improving the accessibility of guidance and making it available in other formats beyond technical guides. The site now includes new “quick guide” resources, including avatar‑style animations that offer short, bitesize explanations of key topics.
One major example is the transformation of the Running your charity guidance: previously a single, lengthy document, it has been broken into five shorter, plain-language style guides.
These provide practical, easy‑to‑understand advice for both new and experienced trustees, as well as professionals who support charities.
“We know that clear, accessible guidance is essential for the people who rely on it every day,” said Gerard.
“By breaking down complex technical information into shorter guides, videos and quick‑reference tools, we’re making it easier for trustees and advisers to understand their responsibilities and focus on what matters most - supporting their charities in making a difference.”
The Commission’s new website will be live during this week at www.charitycommissionni.org.uk
To support a smooth transition, the former website will run alongside the new version for a number of weeks, allowing users time to familiarise themselves with the updated layout and tools.
Ends
For more information, please contact Shirley Kernan, Commission Communications Officer, by email: shirley.kernan@charitycommissionni.org.uk
Notes to editors
The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland is the independent regulator of charities in Northern Ireland, established under the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008.