The Church Urban Fund has long argued that the church is one of Britain's most undervalued social assets — present in every community, trusted by the most marginalised, and capable of sustained, relational care that statutory services cannot replicate. Now its CEO has been given a formal seat at the government's table.

Bishop Rob Wickham, CEO of the Church Urban Fund (CUF), has been appointed to the newly established Civil Society Council, announced on 16 March 2026. The council, which brings together leaders from across the voluntary and community sector, will drive a new approach to partnership between civil society and government, overseeing the implementation of the Civil Society Covenant at both national and local levels.

The appointment reflects growing recognition in Whitehall that the voluntary sector — and faith organisations within it — are indispensable partners in addressing the UK's most pressing social challenges. From food poverty to loneliness, from housing to mental health, churches and charities are often the first and most consistent point of contact for people in crisis.

Bishop Wickham said the appointment was an opportunity to ensure that the voices of those working on the frontline of poverty and exclusion were heard in the corridors of power. CUF's work spans some of the most deprived communities in England, supporting churches to run food banks, debt advice services, community gardens, and much more.

The Civil Society Covenant, which the new council will oversee, commits the government to working in genuine partnership with the voluntary sector — consulting before making decisions that affect it, reducing bureaucratic burdens, and enabling civil society organisations to focus on their core mission.

For CUF, the appointment is both an honour and a responsibility. The organisation has consistently argued that tackling poverty requires not just better policy, but a deeper cultural shift — one that recognises the dignity of every person and the importance of community. Bishop Wickham will now have the chance to make that case at the highest levels of government.