If your comms team feels more stretched than ever right now, you’re not alone. Across the charity and social impact sector, budgets are tighter, teams are leaner, and expectations just keep growing. Yet the need to tell powerful, authentic stories hasn’t gone away - if anything, it’s become even more important.

So how can small teams keep up with the demand for fresh, engaging content when time and resources are limited?

Here are a few tried-and-tested ways to make it work (without burning out or breaking the bank):

• Revisit Old Stories - Don’t overlook your existing case studies. Revisiting people you’ve previously featured and sharing “where are they now?” updates can be just as powerful as brand-new stories - and much quicker to pull together.
• Repurpose What You Already Have - That broadcast interview? Turn it into a blog. A quote from a patron? Use it for a press release. One great interview can fuel a week’s worth of content if you’re clever about how you slice it.
• Reach Out to Your Supporters - User-generated content is gold. A quick social post inviting people to share their own stories or photos can bring in authentic voices and strengthen community connection.
• Simplify Your Story-Gathering - Not every story needs a full interview. Sending a short Q&A by email or WhatsApp can be a fast, flexible way to capture experiences - especially ahead of busy periods like Christmas.
• Lean on Flexible Support - When capacity is tight and budget allows, bringing in a consultant for short bursts of help can be a smart, cost-effective alternative to hiring - giving teams breathing space when they need it most.

Because even in challenging times, great stories are still out there. Sometimes, it just takes a return to the basics (and a little creative resourcefulness) to bring them to life.

To receive more of our tips sign up to our newsletter here.