Valuing and Empowering Third Sector Workers

Community’s Third Sector is diverse and incorporates a wide range of roles and workplaces: from charities and social enterprises to cooperatives and faith workers.

Whilst they work in different ways and different spaces, many of the challenges they face are shared.

When we surveyed our members across the Third Sector in 2025, 57% of respondents identified a lack of opportunities for career progression within their workplace. 35% identified a lack of training opportunities in the sector, and 33% spoke of the lack of support for mental health and wellbeing.

Many of the employers we work with are acutely aware of these concerns, and are already taking measures to address them. However, we know that this is not always the case across the sector.

Among the respondents to our survey last year, 59% felt that their employer was only partially interested in dealing with issues like career progression, training opportunities, mental health, pay and workplace bullying. A further 17% felt their employer was not interested in these matters at all.

That’s why we’re taking a stand and asking employers to sign our Third Sector Fair Work Charter. It’s about employers taking practical steps to show that they value their workforce and empower staff in their professional lives.