WELCOME TO CIVIC VOICE

Making Places Better - Together

MAKING PLACES BETTER - TOGETHER

Civic Voice is the national charity for the civic movement in England. We make places more attractive, enjoyable and distinctive. We promote civic pride.

OUR ACTIVITIES

We are the national membership organisation for hundreds of civic and amenity societies and local groups around England.

We support our local member societies in growing their organisations and their positive impact through training, advice, support, networking, signposting and provision of shared resources.

We develop and advocate policies for better places, aiming to influencing policy at national, regional and local levels.

Welcome to our new website

It's a work in progress with much more to come. We're excited to have made a start and wanted to share what we've done so far. For now, you can view the latest news from Civic Voice, our members, and more widely, find out more about us, see our new member offer and join, or contact us.

Over the coming months, we will be developing our news offer, providing links and information on partner organisations, and publishing a new database of our members.

We are also planning an online discussion forum for members, and further details of our developing 5 year plan.

Information on our programme of online events for members will also be provided.

Do check back soon and join us on our journey in making places better together.

We care about

vibrant high streets
excellent amenities
living heritage and history
effective climate adaptation
strong community voice
better planning
more affordable, sustainable, and comfortable housing
sustainable nature recovery
vibrant community development
growing community ownership

...and much more!

Our aims

To develop a new strategy for growth in 2025-2030 to build a stronger movement which can make a difference on the things we care about. We will be more diverse and better represent our communities. We will be more effective at influencing policy and planning. We will demonstrate in practical ways how genuine community voice, engagement and codesign builds better places - together.

ABOUT US

Meet the team and find out about the charity, what we do and why we do it.

JOIN US

See our new membership offer for local societies, and sign up.

CONTACT US

Ask a question, make a suggestion, ask for help.

Latest news from Civic Voice

External

Refreshed Heritage Funding Directory

The Heritage Alliance, of which Civic Voice is a member, has launched a refreshed funding directory which is free to use. Whether you’re seeking grants for conservation projects, community heritage initiatives, or organisational development, this directory will prove very useful. You can access the directory at https://www.heritagefundingdirectoryuk.org

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28 July 2025 , 16:50

Civic Voice News

Our Place, Our Voice

Two years ago, the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer spoke about the importance of oracy and committed to embedding it in the national curriculum. Now, in the lead up to the publication of the Curriculum and Assessment review, a coalition of parliamentarians, education charities, academics and schools have written an open letter, calling on him […]

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23 July 2025 , 07:42

Civic Voice News

Civic Voice co chair attends annual Historic England reception

Robert Osborne, co chair of trustees at Civic Voice, attended the annual reception for Historic England on 8th July. Amongst the speeches were CEO Duncan Wilson, who is standing down in September, Lord Mendoza (chair), and Heritage Minister Baroness Twycross. “Being able to attend these kinds of events helps to to raise our profile at […]

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17 July 2025 , 15:16

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Latest news from our members

Member news

Celebrating 10 Years of York’s ‘Planning Club’

York Civic Trust has celebrated the 10th anniversary of its unique and award-winning heritage training initiative called ‘Planning Club’. In partnership with the University of York, it trains students to assess live planning applications and submit detailed recommendations to the local authority through the Trust’s role as a local planning consultee. Since…

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16 July 2025 , 15:37

Wakefield Civic Society

Wakefield Civic Society launches Architectural Photography Exhibition

Ever keen to boost the Society’s profile within the local community – and hopeful of recruiting new members – the Committee at Wakefield Civic Society have decided to run an architectural photography competition, inviting members of the public to submit photos of Wakefield’s architecture. There are three categories (city centre,…

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16 July 2025 , 10:50

Addingham Civic Society

Addingham to host regional summer meeting

The Yorkshire & Humberside Association of Civic Societies (YHACS) is holding its Summer Members’ Meeting on Saturday 26th July. This time they’re off to the beautiful village of Addingham, which lies by the River Wharfe between Ilkley and Skipton. Hosts at Addingham Civic Society have prepared a great programme and, following Hull’s…

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25 June 2025 , 17:05

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Board vacancies at Civic Voice: could it be you?

After undertaking a skills audit, we are looking for new trustees/ non exec directors with specific skill sets and experience to help guide Civic Voice into a new phase.

Visit Reach Volunteering to find out what we are looking for. If you think you might fit let us know, but equally, if you know someone who might, do pass the opportunity on to them.

Could you be our new Treasurer trustee?

We are recruiting a new Treasurer to help build resilient financial foundations at Civic Voice which enable us to work towards our vision. We'd love to hear from suitably qualified individuals.

Visit Reach Volunteering to find out more. If you think you might fit let us know, but equally, if you know someone who might, do pass the opportunity on to them.