News
SIA joins the Civil Society Group
We are delighted to share that the Spinal Injuries Association (SIA) has been accepted to join the prestigious Civil Society Group, at the invitation of the Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy MP.
This is a significant milestone, elevating our voice in national discussions and offering us new opportunities to champion the rights and needs of people with spinal cord injuries.
About the Civil Society Group
The Civil Society Group brings together some of the most influential organisations in the voluntary and community sector. Key members include:
- National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO): Advocating for and supporting the broader charity sector.
- Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (ACEVO): Representing civil society leaders.
- Disability Rights UK (DRUK): Working to ensure rights and opportunities for disabled people.
- National Association for Voluntary and Community Action (NAVCA): Supporting local voluntary and grassroots organisations.
- Locality: Focused on empowering local community groups.
- Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA): Enhancing voluntary efforts in Wales.
- Voice4Change England: Advocating for Black and Minoritised charities and social enterprises.
By joining this dynamic coalition, SIA gains a stronger platform to influence policies and address the challenges faced by the communities we serve.
Recent engagements and the Civil Society Covenant
The Civil Society Group works closely with the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS) and other government bodies to drive transformative change.
“A recent highlight was a roundtable chaired by Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy at 10 Downing Street, which I attended. This meeting brought together civil society leaders to launch the Civil Society Covenant Framework, which redefines the relationship between government and civil society based on trust, recognition, transparency, and partnership.” Dharshana Sridhar (SIA Campaigns manager)
The Covenant is a landmark initiative designed to leverage the unique strengths of civil society organisations to address complex societal challenges, including inequality and social cohesion. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and other government leaders have expressed strong support for this collaborative effort, emphasising the critical role of charities and social enterprises in creating inclusive growth and improving lives across the UK. A link to the Government’s press release is HERE.
Why this matters for SIA
Being part of this influential group strengthens our ability to:
- Advocate for the spinal cord injury community at a national level.
- Contribute to shaping national policies that affect our community and the broader voluntary sector.
- Collaborate with like-minded organisations, including DRUK, to drive systemic change.
Joining the Civil Society Group is a recognition of the important work we do and an opportunity to expand our impact.