Strengthening the local voice of Newcastle and Gateshead in the VCSE Barometer Survey
Work is starting to ensure local voluntary sector organisations’ experiences are heard as part of Nottingham Trent University’s national VCSE Barometer Survey.
The Barometer Survey is a quarterly ‘temperature check’ of the VCSE sector which aims to uncover new trends and insights, and highlight real-time issues and challenges. You may have heard about its findings on the BBC News or read about it in the national and VCS press earlier in the year.
A key aim of the survey is to provide useful insight for the sector at both national and local level, particularly in the light of the ongoing challenges of the Cost of Living crisis. Connected Voice, VONNE and our sister organisations in the North East VCSE Local Infrastructure Organisations’ Network are working with Nottingham Trent University’s VCSE Observatory to test how it could provide local data and insight for us in the North East.
The VCSE Observatory team are also engaging with local policymakers and stakeholders including the members of the NE & Cumbria Funders Network, the North of Tyne Combined Authority, the North East LEP, Local Authorities and the Integrated Care System about their VCSE data needs. Many of these are already committed to utilising the North East data from the barometer survey to increase their understanding of the sector in the region and influence their policy making and approach to commissioning services and awarding funding.
Wave 4 of the Barometer will be open between 13 and 27 September and its topical theme will be Wellbeing. During the Autumn we’ll be working to create a set of questions developed locally by us for us, which will be included in the Wave 5 survey in January 2024. We need as many local groups and organisations as possible to participate in the Barometer, to make the most of this opportunity to build a really rich picture of what’s happening right now in our sector in our area and so we can utilise this data to influence local stakeholders, funders and commissioners.
No matter the size, shape or activity of your group or charity, your voice is important and we really want to hear it!
Look out for more information about the Wave 4 survey in our e-bulletins in early September.
