News

Following his retirement from his role as Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Home Civil Service, outgoing CSBF President Lord O’Donnell paid a visit to Fund House to thank staff for their work as the charity for all current, former and retired civil servants.

Take a giant leap for CSBF and enjoy a parachute jump for free! We’ve teamed up with Skyline to offer you the experience of a lifetime.

At the beginning of the year we set ourselves the target of raising £125,000 to mark our 125th anniversary. We can now proudly say that as far as our Fundraising Initiatives Team are concerned, it’s more than mission accomplished.

As we head towards a new year, our website is heading towards a brand new look.

On the 13 December we held our first ever Volunteer Network and Training Day which was a joint event for Fundraising, Support Group and Visiting Officer Volunteers.

For Carrieann Davies and her 7 year-old daughter, Jennesha, what might look like a simple log cabin on the outside means the world to them.

Staff at the Department for Work and Pensions scooped the top prize at the 2011 Civil Service Awards in association with Ernst and Young, of which the CSBF is a charity partner.

Fancy getting into costume for some festive fundraising? The annual Doitforcharity Santa Runs are back – a great way of raising a few laughs, and some serious money for your in-house charity.

Need a handy guide outlining the CSBF’s help and advice service? We’ve revamped our main leaflet that does just that, and given it a new name too – to show you can Rely On Us.

An early November morning saw our Volunteer Support Team being part of the European Year of Volunteering’s 2011 Tour, on its stop in London at the Coin Street Neighbourhood Centre.

The final video of the Fund's campaign to support Trustees' Week 2011 comes from Vice-Chair Graeme Henderson, who is also Head of Health and Work at the Department of Health.

After seven months, and approximately 55,000 tickets sold, the 125th anniversary appeal draw has come to a close - and we can now reveal the winning ticket numbers!

The latest video from our campaign to support Trustees Week comes from Richard Hatfield, who apart from being a Fund Trustee, is Director General of International Networks and Environment at the Department for Transport.

Today's video supporting Trustees Week 2011 comes from Siobhan Benita, who speaks about the enjoyment she gets from being a trustee and the positive role she plays in the Fund's work.

Today's video to support Trustees Week comes from Patrick Hughes, a member of our Board of Trustees, and Director for Jobcentre Plus London.

This week is National Trustees’ Week, an annual campaign dedicated to celebrating the fantastic work done by Trustees.

Giant steps are what you take when participate in the DWP Walking Challenge, it seems. With all the steps now logged from the 171 teams taking part, we can now reveal that they took a giant leap for DWP – they reached the Moon!

The BIS Conference Centre played host to a special quiz night to mark Fund Week, backed by our President, Sir Gus O’Donnell.

Staff at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs cooked up a storm to support Fund Week, with a fundraising fair at their headquarters, Nobel House in London.

As Fund Week draws to a close, more and more workplaces across the country have been holding fundraising events. One of those was a Book Event at the headquarters of HM Revenue and Customs in Parliament Street, London.

As part of the launch of Health on your Mind this week, the Fund has committed itself to supporting the Time To Change campaign, an initiative devoted to ending mental health discrimination.

As the DWP Walking Challenge comes to a close, Alice Gledhill is going on the run to make sure the money – and the miles – keep being raised by the department for their in-house charity.

Department for Transport staff are fully behind this year's Fund Week - with their main fundraising event bringing all the fun of a fair to this year's extravaganza!

Everyone at the Civil Service Benevolent Fund is sad to learn of Sir Gus O’Donnell’s retirement at the end of the year. As Head of the Home Civil Service, Sir Gus has been the Fund’s President since 2005, and in that time has made an invaluable contribution to our work.

Fund Week continues to gather pace - and Ministry of Justice staff dug deep in Petty France today to raise £650 for their in-house charity by organising a Book Event.

To mark the beginning of Fund Week, and to tie in with World Mental Health Day (10 October), the Civil Service Benevolent Fund is proud to launch Health on your Mind, a major new initiative to support emotional wellbeing in the workplace.

Fund Week is almost here - so here's our Fundraising Initiatives Manager, Clare Bridges, with a short video explaining how easy taking part can be.

Fund Week starts next week and this year we want to capture the fantastic work that you are doing to showcase what you are doing to support us and how much fun fundraising can be.

It’s just around the corner, and it’s our annual fundraising extravaganza. So up and down the country, the same question is being asked: what can you do for Fund Week, from 10-14 October?

It may not have quite the same prestige to it as the World Cup or the Premier League, but the Stormont Bowl, held in honour of Northern Ireland Fund Week, was every bit as competitive.

The white water rapids of the River Tay were no match for the 48 Fund supporters who took the plunge and participated in this year’s Fund White Water Raft Race.

We knew that having a Nike golf shirt signed by Rory McIlroy would prove to be a hot property when it came to an eBay auction – and we weren’t disappointed!

The Civil Service Benevolent Fund is delighted to announce the appointment of Andy James as Fundraising and Communications Director.

If you’ve been working within the Department for Work and Pensions, the chances are you’ll have heard plenty about the walking challenge taking place through the summer. And as the challenge enters the finishing straight, the 171 teams involved are making their final push.

A static bike ride and a football tournament were two of the sportier ways in which staff across the Northern Ireland Civil Service celebrated the first-ever NI Fund Week.

He’s the hottest property in world golf at the moment – and as part of Northern Ireland Fund Week, we’ve got a signed golf shirt from Rory McIlroy for auction.

It’s here – our inaugural Northern Ireland Fund Week is up and running! Help us raise as much money as possible to support people who are struggling.

After raising a few laughs by making a video to promote their fundraising event, Jamie Hill, Natalie Wong, and Victoria Black raised rather a lot of money too – by putting their faces forward for Flan Day at Fund House.

A quick note to all volunteers to let them know that we have revised the policy on Volunteers claiming expenses.

There’s not long now until the 2011 Fund White Water Raft Race, on 11 September along the River Tay in Scotland. So if you don’t want to miss out on having a thrilling day, and raising money for your in-house charity, there’s no time to lose in booking your place.

The Civil Service Diversity and Equality Awards are recognised across the civil service as the benchmark for showcasing best practice in promoting the diversity agenda. And the shortlist has just been announced for this year’s Awards, for which the Fund is once again the official charity.

Live in Northern Ireland? Support the Fund? Fancy doing something to raise money for your in-house charity? If so, put 12-16 September in your diary – it’s Northern Ireland Fund Week!

One of our most popular publications is getting a brand new look at the moment, and we need your help in giving us some feedback before we publish it.

We are proud to announce that the Fund has signed up to, and is committed to, London’s Volunteer Management Charter - an initiative managed across the London Borough’s volunteer centres to strengthen volunteering by the team at Experts in Volunteering.

JustTextGiving isn’t just the next big thing for charities to fundraise, it’s a brilliant new way for our fundraisers to raise extra sponsorship. That’s the message from members of our e-comms team, who’ve made a film to show it’s as easy as pie!

The Civil Service Benevolent Fund stands ready to help any current, former, or retired civil servants who have been affected by the recent rioting across the country.

Dr. Justin Davis Smith is the Chief Executive of Volunteering England, with whom we partnered in January to launch the European Year of the Volunteer at the Houses of Parliament. This is his keynote address to the volunteer workshop organised by the Fund at Civil Service Live 2011.

Richard Corden is a member of the Fund's Board of Trustees, and was formerly the Chief Executive of the Commission for the Compact. His presentation to the volunteering workshop at Civil Service Live 2011 focused largely on how civil servants can become more engaged with their in-house charity through volunteering.

John Knights is the Policy Manager for volunteering at the Office for Civil Society, within the Cabinet Office. He was part of the Fund's volunteering workshop held at Civil Service Live 2011, detailing some of things he's doing to encourage more volunteering in the Civil Service.

Hot on the heels of our Fund team at the British 10K London earlier in the summer, Rob Baldwin is putting his best foot forward to run the York 10K for his in-house charity.

Craig Tovey impressed the audience at the volunteering session we organised at Civil Service Live 2011 with the passion and commitment he has shown to the Fund, now as an Area Development Manager.

Fund President Sir Gus O'Donnell delivered a rousing address to a packed audience at the Volunteer workshop we organised at Civil Service Live this year.

Civil Service Live 2011 – London was a tremendous success for the Fund, as hundreds of people found out more about their in-house charity. And on Thursday afternoon we took centre stage, enlisting the help of Fund President Sir Gus O’Donnell who talked alongside speakers from Volunteering England and the Office for Civil Society on the value and benefits of volunteering.

The Fund’s team of 17 runners took to the streets to take part in the annual British 10K London and raise money for their in-house charity.

If you're a Fund beneficiary and have received a Beko fridge freezer from us, through our relationship with Comet, in the last few years, we need you to check the serial number.

Rebecca Bennett took the plunge when she saw an article promoting the chance to raise money for the Fund's 125th anniversary appeal by skydiving. All of which meant that a mid-July afternoon turned into the experience of a lifetime for her.

Great news from the Fund's 125th anniversary appeal. Just over the halfway mark in the year, and we've already gone past the halfway mark to our target!

Seven and a half hours of live music, and almost £1,000 raised for the Fund - the brand new music festival to be launched, Feltstock, truly rocked!

The Fund’s delighted to announce the revival of its White Water Raft Race. It will be held on the River Tay, in Scotland, on Sunday 11 September. And given how well supported the event has been in the past, our message to anyone thinking of taking part is sign up fast!

It’s just under a year since the Fund launched Carer’s Passport, an initiative designed to help civil servants with onerous caring responsibilities at home which affect their ability to manage at work. And the Fund can reveal, as Carer’s Week gets underway, that it’s been a great success.

Of all the pledges the Fund has received for our 125th anniversary appeal, none appears more daunting than the one Dawn Jarvis, Director of People at the Department for Education, has given herself.

The fifth annual Civil Service Awards take place in November – and, as a charity partner of the event, we’re encouraging you to get involved.

Iain Church, Robert Taylor, and Ann Rhodes received Lifetime Achievement Awards at the Fund's AGM recently, while Rose D'Costa MBE picked up the Fundraising Award.

The Fund is proud of its 125 year history – but it needs to change and adapt if it’s to maintain itself as the in-house charity for the Civil Service and our Associated Organisations. That was the message from CEO Merrick Willis at our Annual General Meeting.

Our e-communications are growing rapidly, and we want your help to tell us what you would like to see from your in-house charity as we look to develop them even further.

The 2011 Civil Service Diversity and Equality Awards are looking for nominations, and the Fund is once again the official charity of the event, now in its fourth year.

Volunteers have always been at the heart of what the Civil Service Benevolent Fund does. So, during 1-7 June, we’ll be celebrating the fantastic contribution of our volunteers as part of Volunteers’ Week and encouraging others to get involved.

Want a quick way to make a donation to your in-house charity? Then discover the joy of text – and what’s more, every penny you donate will be passed through to the Fund.

Hundreds of people dressed up in fancy dress costumes to raise money for charity in Regents Park recently – and among them were two Fund supporters we’re proud to hail as our superheroes!

Great news from our intrepid walker James Murray – he’s crossed the finish line and successfully completed the Pennine Way to raise money for the Fund.

It’s easier than ever for our volunteers to get in touch. We’ve just launched our new Message Board where you can share ideas and experiences, start a conversation, and use your Facebook or Twitter profile to post your comments to your friends!.

Earlier this year Fund volunteers joined MPs, senior civil servants, representatives from the Third Sector, and other guests at the Houses of Parliament to celebrate the start of the 125th anniversary of their in-house charity, and launch the European Year of Volunteering with Volunteering England.

It's that time of year again and your chance to highlight and recognise those who have done that little bit extra in supporting the Fund, by nominating them for an award.

While thoughts for many are turning to the Easter weekend, one Fund supporter is about to embark on a remarkable 268-mile fundraising trek as part of our 125th anniversary appeal.

We’re proud to announce the centrepiece of our fundraising appeal: our Anniversary Appeal Draw, which not only will help us raise money to make lives better for thousands of people, but will definitely prove a moneyspinner for over 125 lucky winning ticket holders...

Thrills and spills are guaranteed if you’re up for a real fundraising challenge this year. Get a team together to take on the whitewater rapids and enjoy the experience of a lifetime.

In the last two years the Fund has provided £9 million in direct financial assistance and changed the lives of thousands of people for the better. And there’s no better way to find out how we’ve done so than by reading our Impact Report.

A new donation gateway has made it easier than ever for Fund supporters to make a donation to their in-house charity.

To celebrate the centenary of International Women’s Day, this year’s event, to be held on 8 March, will focus on the role of women in Whitehall and issues facing women as the Civil Service downsizes.

As the star of the Fund's new volunteer film, Making Lives Better, we think young Jac Skyrme's top of the league. And we're glad to say his favourite football team, Chelsea, agree.

Thanks to our friends at Credit Action, we’ve made available all of their hugely popular Moneymanuals to download from our website.

We’re already known for our vital work in driving help to thousands of people every year, but now the brakes are off our latest recycling initiative!

Staff at the Department for Communities and Local Government made the most of a Christmas fair and raised £367 for their in-house charity.

The application form for assistance on our website was downloaded more than 10,000 times in 2010 – but we want to make it even easier for people to contact their in-house charity. So, we’re giving a helping hand to anyone looking to apply for help.

Get behind your in-house charity and help us raise £125,000 in our 125 Year Appeal. That’s the message from the Fund in a year-long campaign aimed at the Civil Service and Associated Organisations.

2011 is a very auspicious year for us, as it marks 125 years of providing essential help and changing the lives of people in need. So do you fancy helping us mark the occasion in style?

The iPad may have been the apple of quite a few eyes in the run up to Christmas – and the Northern Ireland Committee took full advantage by raising a record-breaking sum for their annual workplace raffle.

The New Year's Honours List had a welcome surprise for our Chairman Stephen Laws, as he was made a Knight Commander of the Order of Bath.

A new Board of Trustees and the launch of Fund Ambassadors across the civil service and our Associated Organisations; the Fund was looking very much to the future when it convened the first Annual General Meeting of its new legal entity (a charitable company limited by guarantee), which will take over the Fund's operations from 1 January 2011.

Marie Boyd made the trip across the Irish Sea last month to collect the MBE she was awarded in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

Buckingham Palace played host to this year’s Civil Service Awards, with Fund Patron HM the Queen lending her support to the annual event.

The money’s still pouring in, but with nearly £16,000 already collected, it’s clear this year’s Fund Week, held from 11-15 October, has been a great success.

The Civil Service Benevolent Fund stands ready to help current, former and retired civil servants affected by the recent flooding in Cornwall.

We've had thousands of entries for this year's Fund Week Grand Prize Draw. And we can now reveal the winning ticket numbers...

Become a part of the Fund’s online community of supporters – join our new Facebook page!

As part of our increasing online resource library, we’re pleased to offer two new Moneymanuals from Credit Action.

Merrick Willis, Chief Executive, says: We know, as your in-house charity, that the past few weeks have probably been a worrying time. Our sincere hope is that the outcome of the Spending Review does not affect you.