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Polly Neate

@pollyneate.bsky.social
777 followers 248 following 132 posts

Strategist, coach, mentor. Civil society leadership. Former CEO Shelter & Women’s Aid. NED Young Women’s Trust, Women in Sport, Wessex Local Medical Committees, feminist, paraclimber, podcaster, writer, speaker

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Reposted by Polly Neate
Prof Katherine Brickell FBA @kbrickell.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
A hugely rewarding moment to see how our research + advocacy is having impact in the House of Lords as @pollyneate.bsky.social proposes an amendment to the Social Housing Bill to ensure that domestic abuse survivors no longer face exclusion from social housing on the basis of housing-related debts.
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Polly Neate @pollyneate.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
I’m looking forward to joining the Equality and Human Rights Commission as a Commissioner in November. Full announcement here: www.equalityhumanrights.com/media-centre...
equalityhumanrights.com
New EHRC commissioners announced | EHRC
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Civil Society @civilsociety.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
Polly Neate (@pollyneate.bsky.social): A commissioning revolution is needed to fulfil civil society’s potential
civilsociety.co.uk
Polly Neate: A commissioning revolution is needed to fulfil civil society’s potential
The sector must be a partner in public service delivery, but urgent reform is needed, writes Polly Neate…
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Reposted by Polly Neate
The Future Governance Forum (FGF) @futuregovforum.bsky.social · 08/03/2026
On #InternationalWomen'sDay the chair of FGF’s Social Insights Panel, @pollyneate.bsky.social has written an article in @bigissue.com on why a radical shift to prevention is the only way to end violence against women & girls. #IWD2026 Read Polly’s article 🔽🔽🔽 www.bigissue.com/opinion/inte...
bigissue.com
International Women's Day: How to prevent violence against women
Writing on International Women’s Day, campaigners call for incentives on public services to prevent violence against women, writes Polly Neate.
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Civil Society @civilsociety.bsky.social · 18/11/2025
Polly Neate (@pollyneate.bsky.social) reflects on recent conversations with sector leaders and says that the pressures they face must be acknowledged
civilsociety.co.uk
Polly Neate: Charity leadership is getting even harder
Polly Neate reflects on recent conversations with sector leaders and says that the pressures they face must be acknowledged…
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Polly Neate @pollyneate.bsky.social · 28/10/2025
Formal launch and first meeting of the Social Insights Panel today, thanks to @futuregovforum.bsky.social Better Way Network and the Henry Smith Foundation. Read more here ⬇️ www.civilsociety.co.uk/news/civil-s...
civilsociety.co.uk
Civil society leaders group launches to ‘bring expert insight’ into heart of government
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Polly Neate @pollyneate.bsky.social · 27/10/2025
New post over on my Substack (subscriptions are free): open.substack.com/pub/pollynea...
open.substack.com
False victims: lessons from a campaign victory
If a law, a rule, or even a custom shores up power, look at it with suspicion.
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Polly Neate @pollyneate.bsky.social · 22/10/2025
I'm truly honoured to have been recommended as a cross-bench peer by the House of Lords Appointments Commission. In this new phase of my life, I will continue to strive for the causes I have believed in and championed throughout my career. lordsappointments.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/u...
lordsappointments.independent.gov.uk
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Duncan Exley @duncanexley.bsky.social · 16/09/2025
"Creating sustainable social change: in today’s new world, what will it take from leaders across the private, public & civil society sectors?" With @mds49.bsky.social, @pollyneate.bsky.social, Aline Santos Farhat) London 01 Oct www.citystgeorges.ac.uk/news-and-eve... #charities
citystgeorges.ac.uk
Creating sustainable social change – in today’s new world, what will it take from leaders across the private, public and civil society sectors? | City St George's, University of London
Join us at Bayes to learn more about how we can bring about lasting change by harnessing the collective power of leaders in the private, public and civil society sectors.
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Reposted by Polly Neate
Nerys Anthony @nerys-a.bsky.social · 28/08/2025
Caught @pollyneate.bsky.social latest substack post this morning, sharing in support: “Being concerned about immigration doesn’t make you a racist” substack.com/@pollyneate/...
substack.com
“Being concerned about immigration doesn’t make you a racist”
I’ve read and heard this a few times lately.
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Polly Neate @pollyneate.bsky.social · 30/07/2025
So large numbers of racist rioting men are also violent to their female partners. Who knew? Well, the entirety of what’s known as the “VAWG” (violence against women and girls) sector knew, for a start… Want to read more? You can over on my Substack: open.substack.com/pub/pollynea...
open.substack.com
Crisis? What crisis?
So large numbers of racist rioting men are also violent to their female partners.
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Reposted by Polly Neate
Adam Terry @adamterryfgf.bsky.social · 21/07/2025
At @futuregovforum.bsky.social we were delighed to announce our own new initiative alongside the Covenant: A new 'Social Insights Panel', led by @pollyneate.bsky.social, to bring civil society expertise to bear on x-cutting, 'wicked' challenges futuregovforum.substack.com/p/announcing...
futuregovforum.substack.com
Announcing the Social Insights Panel: a new FGF project led by Polly Neate
(Picture credit: Honor Elliot)
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Nathan Yeowell @yeowell.bsky.social · 17/07/2025
Really pleased we can announce his today to coincide with the govt’s new civil society covenant - and looking forward to getting cracking with @pollyneate.bsky.social on this next week!
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Polly Neate @pollyneate.bsky.social · 17/07/2025
Excited to announce this project with the Future Governance Forum today, in the wake of the government’s launch this week of the Civil Society Covenant and phase 2 of the Test, Learn & Grow approach to public service reform. Check it out on Substack: substack.com/@pollyneate/...
substack.com
Polly Neate (@pollyneate)
Very excited to be helping ensure the government’s public sector reforms have civil society wisdom to draw upon ⬇️
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Polly Neate @pollyneate.bsky.social · 11/07/2025
People on the frontline @sheltercharity.bsky.social see the racism of the housing system devastating lives daily. But to get change it’s not enough to know something, you have to prove it. Hence this important work by @heriotwattuni.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
theguardian.com
Black people in England four times as likely to face homelessness, study finds
Black people also less likely than white people to get social housing and can face ‘overt racism’ from private landlords
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Polly Neate @pollyneate.bsky.social · 09/07/2025
Last week I had a powerful experience: a private discussion at @bristoluni.bsky.social of alumni and staff involved in the “Vincent Out” protests of 1986 and their (considerable) aftermath. My reflections on what I’ve learned both then and since are on my Substack: open.substack.com/pub/pollyneate…
open.substack.com
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Polly Neate @pollyneate.bsky.social · 04/07/2025
One year since the Labour landslide - I’m swimming against the tide with my usual undeterred optimism. Check out my post over on Substack: open.substack.com/pub/pollynea...
open.substack.com
The year of great expectations
It's a year since the Labour government won its landslide and Keir Starmer became Prime Minister.
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Polly Neate @pollyneate.bsky.social · 01/07/2025
Great piece by @sambowman.co in @theguardian.com - though I think you’ll find that the gains from fixing housing aren’t bigger than *anyone* imagined (see pic)😉 www.theguardian.com/books/2022/j...
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Polly Neate @pollyneate.bsky.social · 23/06/2025
I wrote on Substack about why leaders should be free to change their minds. In fact, encouraged to when it’s so often the only rational response in our weird world. open.substack.com/pub/pollyneate…
open.substack.com
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Polly Neate @pollyneate.bsky.social · 18/06/2025
The biggest step forward in abortion rights for decades. Congratulations ⁦‪@BPAS1968‬⁩ ⁦‪@fawcettsociety‬⁩ and the whole coalition of women’s and medical organisations who supported this www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
MPs vote to decriminalise abortion in step forward for reproductive rights
Amendment to crime and policing bill will change law to end prosecution of women who terminate pregnancies
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Polly Neate @pollyneate.bsky.social · 12/06/2025
Successful campaigns and clear, ambitious, well communicated organisational strategy are two sides of a coin, not two separate things. I’ve teamed up with Forster Communications to help non-profits get this right. www.linkedin.com/posts/forste...
linkedin.com
Charities in the UK and globally are facing the same turbulence confronting pretty much every sector of our society and economy at the moment. | Forster Communications
Charities in the UK and globally are facing the same turbulence confronting pretty much every sector of our society and economy at the moment. While it is tempting to view this instability as a relati...
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Polly Neate @pollyneate.bsky.social · 10/06/2025
A big step in the right direction. What a relief. This is the biggest boost to social housing for a generation, a major advance for social justice and a genuine strike against homelessness www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
Rachel Reeves to unveils £39bn housing boost in spending review shake-up
Chancellor promises biggest investment in social and affordable homes in a generation to hit 1.5m target
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Polly Neate @pollyneate.bsky.social · 07/06/2025
“NHS budget to rise in spending review at expense of other services” Let’s hope it’s not at the expense of housing. Homes (or lack of) that make people physically and mentally ill will eat up this NHS investment and more. www.thetimes.com/article/abb4...
thetimes.com
NHS budget to rise in spending review at expense of other services
Though the Department of Health will be the biggest winner next week, health chiefs warn the £30 billion increase may not be enough to meet Labour’s pledges
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Polly Neate @pollyneate.bsky.social · 05/06/2025
Civil society leader looking ahead to the party conferences? I posted six tips over on linked in: linkedin.com/posts/polly-ne… And I’ve got lots more tbh
linkedin.com
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Polly Neate @pollyneate.bsky.social · 30/05/2025
Spot on from the Guardian. Wall to wall in yesterday’s news was the ugly sight of the worst conditions in social housing. Part of the irrefutable case for more social homes. More and better. 1. It can be done. 2. Cutting homelessness is impossible without it. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
The Guardian view on social housing: invest boldly to tackle ‘simmering anger’ about substandard homes
Editorial: Two weeks before the spending review, the housing ombudsman has issued an important warning about a deepening crisis and growing human misery
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Polly Neate @pollyneate.bsky.social · 25/05/2025
The 10th anniversary of ine of my career campaigning highlights over the last week led me to get all controversial over on Substack open.substack.com/pub/pollynea...
open.substack.com
Content warning: feminism
This week saw the 10th anniversary of this iconic campaign which was undoubtedly the turning point in the struggle by Women's Aid Federation of England to get the government to throw a financial lifel...
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Polly Neate @pollyneate.bsky.social · 19/05/2025
I’ve seen this first hand, in myself and others. I sought out such moments in London. Now I’m in nature every day, they just happen. I’m old enough to remember when those benefits were just assumed and young people who had less access to them were given opportunities www.thetimes.com/article/fc6d...
thetimes.com
Feeling blue? Daily doses of awe ‘fend off depression and stress’
Everyday moments of awe-inspiring wonder may offer a simple, drug-free boost to mental health, a study suggests
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Reposted by Polly Neate
Crispin Truman @crispintru.bsky.social · 15/05/2025
Thank you @sheltercharity.bsky.social for inviting me to say farewell to the great @pollyneate.bsky.social and welcome to fab new CEO Sarah Elliott
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Polly Neate @pollyneate.bsky.social · 14/05/2025
I’ve been in this building quite a few times in various roles, but today is the first time I’ve ever seen #LarryTheCat - I kind of thought he was a myth. But nope, he’s real - almost tripped over him on the doorstep!
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Polly Neate @pollyneate.bsky.social · 14/05/2025
So excited & proud to see these @sheltercharity.bsky.social posters in Westminster station today! You can help ensure a new generation has the opportunities a safe home brings. It’s a right - or it should be. #InvestInSocialHousing #HomeIsEverything campaigns.shelter.org.uk/chancellor-i...
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Polly Neate @pollyneate.bsky.social · 11/05/2025
Thanks @alifortescuenews.bsky.social @frankcottrellboyce.bsky.social & Paddy O’Connell for being such great company on the Sunday Papers review on Radio 4 this morning. You can listen on catch-up here (45 mins in): www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
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Polly Neate @pollyneate.bsky.social · 10/05/2025
I’ll be reviewing tomorrow’s papers live on BBC Radio 4 Broadcasting House tomorrow morning, really looking forward to it. Do listen in
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Polly Neate @pollyneate.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
Excellent piece by @rcquaker.bsky.social on suppression of dissent and its dangers for civil society. It’s genuinely a bitter pill for governments that civil society is a vital partner who will also publicly hold to account. Both must be accepted constructively www.civilsociety.co.uk/voices/paul-...
rcquaker.bsky.social
Paul Parker (@rcquaker.bsky.social)
Recording Clerk of Quakers in Britain
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Polly Neate @pollyneate.bsky.social · 03/05/2025
Thanks to @turn2us.bsky.social for inviting me to open their staff conference this week. Preparing for it really helped with my thinking on strategy-setting & leadership that allows for learning, responsiveness to events, local autonomy, yet also sets the clear direction organisations depend on.
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Polly Neate @pollyneate.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
Thanks to @grainnecuffe.bsky.social @insidehousing.bsky.social for this profile of me. It made me laugh and cringe a bit - which in my case is evidence of accurate quoting and reporting! www.insidehousing.co.uk/insight/insi...
insidehousing.co.uk
The life and career of Polly Neate, the journalist who became a charity chief executive
Outgoing Shelter CEO Polly Neate talks to Grainne Cuffe about her impressions of the housing sector, men’s rights activists egging her house and her next move.
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Polly Neate @pollyneate.bsky.social · 29/04/2025
New research by @sheltercharity.bsky.social shows the changes the government is making so far won’t be enough to stop the continuing rise in child homelessness - which will cost the taxpayer billions. Billions which could instead be invested in social homes to give children a decent start in life
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Polly Neate @pollyneate.bsky.social · 25/04/2025
Huge congratulations Sarah - it’s a fantastic job leading the most committed and talented teams you could ever wish for. Look after @sheltercharity.bsky.social - I know you will!
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Polly Neate @pollyneate.bsky.social · 24/04/2025
First holiday for 30+ years as a senior manager & leader in commercial & civil society life where I can 100% drop it all. Yes, freelance life doesn’t quite work like that. But if I go AWOL it can harm no one but me. Feels weird but good. Yes I’m reading a new book on coaching! I don’t have to tho…
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Polly Neate @pollyneate.bsky.social · 10/04/2025
New episode of the #BetterWayNetwork podcast is out! 📢 I’ve admired @lauraseebohm.bsky.social ever since my @womensaid.bsky.social days. It was a real privilege to have her on the show. Absolutely one of the best. Listen here: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/e...
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Polly Neate @pollyneate.bsky.social · 07/04/2025
Rents sky high? @sheltercharity.bsky.social has a petition for that. campaigns.shelter.org.uk/rent-stabili...
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Polly Neate @pollyneate.bsky.social · 06/04/2025
I’ll be on the panel reviewing today’s top stories on Times Radio 9-9.30 if you fancy a listen www.thetimes.com/radio
thetimes.com
Times Radio | The Times and The Sunday Times
Listen to Times Radio live for the latest breaking news, expert analysis and well-informed discussion covering the biggest stories of the day.
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Polly Neate @pollyneate.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
Thanks @emilyharle.bsky.social @thirdsector.co.uk for this profile piece. My departing thoughts as I leave the awesome @sheltercharity.bsky.social ⬇️
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Polly Neate @pollyneate.bsky.social · 31/03/2025
Super interesting to be on Local News Commission @publicinterestnews.org.uk It’s not often I can use the knowledge from my 2 careers: journalism & civil society. Final report outlines the vital role of local news in our democracy and how to preserve it. www.publicinterestnews.org.uk/_files/ugd/c...
publicinterestnews.org.uk
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Polly Neate @pollyneate.bsky.social · 30/03/2025
The right to protest - exercised for many reasons, eg by farmers who shut down Whitehall without this sort of heavy-handed treatment - is under threat. That’s why UK is only Western European country whose civic freedoms are “obstructed” according to Civicus Monitor www.thetimes.com/article/ea7d...
thetimes.com
Met smash down door of Quaker meeting house to arrest activists
Twenty officers handcuffed six women and took them to the police station in what is thought to be the first raid on a meeting house
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Polly Neate @pollyneate.bsky.social · 29/03/2025
Well. I’ve left @sheltercharity.bsky.social Being me, I won’t know how I feel about it for several weeks. I miss my team already though. This lot have had my back through thick and thin. The most diverse leadership team Shelter has ever had - in more ways than a photo shows. Ready for the future.
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Polly Neate @pollyneate.bsky.social · 25/03/2025
This downpayment on the next Affordable Housing Programme is great news for getting spades in the ground asap - to deliver the social homes the country desperately needs. Good now, good sign: fingers still crossed for a transformative Spending Review for social housing
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Polly Neate @pollyneate.bsky.social · 25/03/2025
This downpayment on the next Affordable Housing Programme is great news for getting spades in the ground asap - to deliver the social homes the country desperately needs. Good now, good sign: fingers still crossed for a transformative Spending Review for social housing
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Polly Neate @pollyneate.bsky.social · 25/03/2025
Now in my final week at @sheltercharity.bsky.social looking forward to my last ELT meeting today. This is the “official” photo taken on my first day. The start of 7.5 years in my actual dream job. I was amazed to be standing there. I thought “This is going to be fantastic.” Boy have I had fun.
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Polly Neate @pollyneate.bsky.social · 21/03/2025
Over 40 renowned economists, including 4 Nobel laureates, have signed an open letter urging the Chancellor to invest in social housing in the spring statement, for the good of our economy england.shelter.org.uk/professional...
england.shelter.org.uk
Economists call for social housing investment - Shelter England
Leading economists urge UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves to significantly increase social housing investment ahead of the Spending Review on 11 June.
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Polly Neate @pollyneate.bsky.social · 18/03/2025
The latest #BetterWayNetwork podcast is out! This episode, Rog and I chat to @nikkifuller.bsky.social about system change - often discussed but less often understood maybe?? Listen here: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/a...
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