Nick Hurd appointed Minister for Civil Society
Nick Hurd will be the minister responsible for charities, social enterprises and voluntary organisations in the Cabinet Office, following an announcement by the Prime Minister’s office. He will be known as the Minister for Civil Society.

Speaking to Cabinet Office staff, Nick Hurd, alongside the Minister for the Cabinet Office
Francis Maude, has announced that Government policy will focus on fundamental issues like making it easier to run a charity, social enterprise or voluntary organisation, getting more resources into the sector, strengthening its independence and resilience and making it easier for sector organisations to work with the State.  Nick Hurd, Minister for Civil Society, said: “This Government values the economic and social contribution of Britain’s charities, social enterprises and voluntary organisations, and the extraordinary work individual people do to improve the lives of others and of the most disadvantaged. “It is the sector’s commitment and ability to support and mobilise people across the country that is put it at the very centre of our mission to deliver better public services and build the Big Society. “We are committed to bringing a clear vision to the sector that will mean charities, social enterprises and voluntary organisations are easier to run and not overwhelmed by interference and bureaucracy.”

Charity advice site launches "The Archers" for the voluntary sector
Charity and social enterprise advice website KnowHow NonProfit is launching an animated docudrama on life in the voluntary sector.

The KnowHow NonProfit website (www.knowhownonprofit.org) provides advice and enables people to share knowledge on every aspect of running a non-profit organisation.

Millcaster Tales, a fictional blog that tells the story of a small town's non-profit organisations and the people who work there, launched on the KnowHow NonProfit website in February 2009 and has attracted a loyal following.

Now, KnowHow NonProfit is hoping to reach a new audience by producing an animated video version of the Millcaster Tales blog, which has been recorded using professional actors and features illustrations of the characters. The animated video will be available on the KnowHow NonProfit and Society Guardian website in streaming audio and video, or as an MP3 download, on Wednesday.

Each episode of Millcaster Tales is based on real-life situations faced by voluntary organisations and is brought to life through the screenwriting skills of Steve Trafford, who regularly writes for ITV series The Bill.

"We're very excited to be launching the Millcaster Tales video. We feel that hearing the voices of the actors really brings the story alive. Over time, we hope the Millcaster Tales recordings will become known as The Archers for the voluntary sector," said Sahara Quli, CEO of KnowHow NonProfit.

To view the Millcaster Tales video, visit www.knowhownonprofit.org/millcaster/ or www.guardian.co.uk/charity-effectiveness