Monday 5 October 2026

Charity employers have new tribunal rules to note and should prepare for stronger workplace-harassment duties expected later this month. Locally, there is extra time to apply for funding supporting older people, while bookings have opened for Felixstowe’s second Charities Summit.

Employment Tribunal deadline doubles

From 1 October, the time limit for bringing an Employment Tribunal claim increased from three to six months. Government guidance also lists further changes from 30 October, including a requirement for employers to take “all reasonable steps” to prevent sexual harassment and an obligation not to permit employees to be harassed by third parties.

The 30 October measures remain subject to parliamentary processes and may change. They are also expected to include new rights for independent trade unions to access workplaces and engage with workers. business.gov.uk

Why this matters: Charity employers should review policies, risk assessments, training and reporting procedures. Organisations providing public-facing services should consider risks involving service users, visitors, contractors and other third parties—not only employees and volunteers.

Read the official employment-rights guidance

Charity Commission inquiry highlights governance basics

The Charity Commission announced on 29 September that it had opened a statutory inquiry into Cumbria Community Homes. The regulator has restricted the charity’s transactions and property disposals while it examines concerns including the absence of a functioning trustee board, late financial reporting, financial management and connected-party transactions.

The Commission emphasises that opening an inquiry is not a finding of wrongdoing and that no conclusions have yet been reached. GOV.UK

Why this matters: Every charity should maintain enough active trustees to operate in accordance with its governing document. Boards should also monitor filing deadlines, document conflicts of interest and ensure that expenditure has a clear audit trail.

Read the Charity Commission announcement

Updated deadline for older people’s grants

Suffolk Community Foundation’s current listing gives Friday 9 October as the deadline for the Pargiter Trust Fund, with decisions expected by the end of November. Grants of up to £5,000 are available towards project or core costs for charities, voluntary groups and social enterprises supporting people aged over 65.

Priorities include reducing isolation, improving health and wellbeing, befriending, respite for carers, advice, IT access and helping older people experiencing difficult circumstances. Applicants must be able to demonstrate robust safeguarding arrangements. Suffolk Community Foundation

Why this matters: Felixstowe organisations supporting older residents have a few additional days to submit an application, but should work from the funder’s current online information.

Check the criteria and apply

Charities encouraged to set clear rules for AI

Community Action Suffolk has published practical advice for charities whose staff or volunteers use artificial intelligence for funding bids, reports, publicity or meeting summaries. It highlights risks involving sensitive information, inaccurate output, bias and inadequate trustee oversight.

Suggested safeguards include identifying how AI is already being used, banning the entry of private or sensitive information, checking every output, approving suitable tools and keeping humans responsible for final decisions. It also recommends making AI a regular governance and board-agenda item. Community Action Suffolk

Why this matters: A short, understandable policy can help smaller organisations benefit from AI while protecting beneficiaries, supporters and the charity’s reputation.

Read Community Action Suffolk’s AI guidance

Bookings open for Felixstowe’s second Charities Summit

Charities, voluntary groups and not-for-profit organisations can now book for the second Felixstowe Charities Summit at Felixstowe School on Thursday 5 November. The free event runs from 9.30am to 3pm and will include a keynote speaker, eight practical learning sessions and opportunities to make connections with other local organisations. Eventbrite

View the programme and book a free place

Suffolk’s community contribution celebrated

The 2026 Suffolk Community Awards attracted a record 305 nominations for volunteers, young people, charities and councils. The awards were organised by Community Action Suffolk, Suffolk County Council and the Suffolk Association of Local Councils. Community Action Suffolk

The response provides a timely reminder to recognise the people who keep local services running. A personal thank-you, volunteer celebration or trustee-board acknowledgement can make an important contribution to volunteer retention.

Read about the Suffolk Community Awards

Dates and opportunities

• 6 and 13 October: Complete Volunteer Leadership Course, online.
• 8 October, 11am–12pm: Free online briefing on honour-based abuse.
• 9 October: Pargiter Trust Fund deadline.
• 15 October, 12.45–2pm: Charity Commission Annual Public Meeting, with online attendance available.
• 19 October: Port Community Fund closes for grants of up to £2,000.
• 20 October, 1.30–4pm: Free Child Exploitation Awareness training in Ipswich.
• 26 October: Harwich Haven Authority Fund deadline.
• 5 November, 9.30am–3pm: Second Felixstowe Charities Summit at Felixstowe School.

See Community Action Suffolk’s training calendar | Charity Commission meeting | Port Community Fund | Harwich Haven Authority Fund

Information was checked at the time of publication; readers should confirm details with the relevant organisation.