Our professional body and trade association have been at the forefront of supporting the PR industry during COVID-19.

The CIPR and PRCA have done an exceptional job in leading the industry in its response to the COVID-19 crisis. Thanks to CIPR CEO Alastair McCapra and PRCA Director General Francis Ingham for their leadership.

The CIPR and PRCA represent approximately 40,000 practitioners in the UK. They’ve been tracking the impact of COVID-19 on the industry, providing tools and support for members, and lobbying government for intervention. They are also providing advice to government on COVID-19 communication activities.

“What's the point of membership bodies? In good times, they're a network and a resource. Optional. But in bad times, they're like unions and guilds: they support and represent the many. It’s impressive how the CIPR and PRCA are stepping up,” said Richard Bailey, editor, PR Academy.

Here are some of the other ways that they are providing practical support to the industry:

1. The CIPR and PRCA are members of the GCS Advisory panel to provide career support to communications professionals. A new portal on the GCS website lists communication roles in government.

2. The PRCA has created a taskforce of 50+ advisors to help members manage their agencies and organisations through the COVID-19 crisis. Taskforce advisors will provide impartial and practical advice during 30-minute confidential consultations.

3. The two organisations have lobbied the government for interventions for freelancers and small businesses. They continue to lobby for measures for those operating as limited companies.

4. Crisis communications expert Rod Cartwright and governance, risk and compliance expert Matt Hodges-Long share best practice crisis communications advice on COVID-19 in a PRCA webinar.

5. CIPR members have access to a free Legal and Business Support Helpline to help with employment, health and safety, commercial, legal, tax and VAT issues.

6. The CIPR’s charitable benevolent fund iProvision is providing financial assistance to members. It has also launched a mental health hotline.

7. The CIPR Public Sector groups has created a support group and tools for members supporting public services. They’ve also created a video recognising the work of their members.

8. Both organisations have created COVID-19 portals to sign-post members to further information and resources. Please follow this link for the CIPR and this link for the PRCA.

I’ve called for greater cooperation between the CIPR and PRCA for more than a decade. It’s taken a crisis for that goal to be realised but long may it continue.

If you’re not a member of the CIPR or the PRCA I’d urge you to sign up. Fees are tax deductible for individual members.