We are excited to announce that we are now on Bluesky! This move allows us to create a dedicated space for York’s Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector to connect, share and support each other.
What is Bluesky?
Bluesky is a new, decentralised social media platform designed to offer greater transparency, user control, and a community-driven experience. Unlike traditional social media platforms, Bluesky operates with an open protocol, allowing users to have more control over their feeds and interactions while minimising unwanted paid content and misinformation. It looks and feels a lot like X (formerly Twitter) in terms of interface and we have found the usability very similar, making the transition smooth.
Why join us on Bluesky?
Bluesky provides a fresh, community-focused platform where we will share:
- The latest sector news
- Funding opportunities
- Job and volunteer opportunities
- Training and events
- Resources for the VCSE sector
- News from local organisations
Our community is growing, and we have already seen many local organisations joining us. To make it easier for you to get started, we have created a starter pack for York’s Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations. If you would like to be included, please send us a private message on Bluesky or email us.
Leaving X
We made the decision to leave X as it no longer aligns with our organisational values. We have seen a steady decline in users, an increase in unrelated paid-for content and concerns around safety and misinformation within the platform. Many national and local charities have taken the same step, and we believe Bluesky is a better space for our community.
Stay connected in other ways…
You can connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and by joining our mailing list. We will continue sharing key updates on our website too.
Proud to be a part of York CVS
We are grateful for the support of our projects, which are an essential part of York CVS. Those that were previously active on X have now transitioned to Bluesky, sharing our reasons for leaving the platform. You can follow them on Bluesky via the following links:
Healthwatch York: @healthwatchyork.bsky.social
Priory Street Centre: @priorystreetcentre.bsky.social
York Volunteers: @yorkvolunteers.bsky.social
Resources and useful articles
Deciding to leave one platform or start using a new one is a significant decision that requires careful planning and thought. We’ve found the following articles helpful in guiding our decision-making process and managing the transition:
Charity Comms – Moment of movement? Getting to grips with Bluesky
Charity Digital – Social media for charities 101: Bluesky
BBC News – X users jump to Bluesky – but what is it and who owns it?
Strawberry Social – How to leave Twitter (X) gracefully: 5 key steps for charities