Pro Bono O.R.: Getting the most from the Clifton Suspension Bridge Visitor Centre Shop #newproject

Pro Bono O.R. – enabling managers to make more effective decisions

Pro Bono O.R. is a scheme that places professional analysts in short term projects with third sector organisations in the UK. 

Projects require skilled professionals who work in operational research, analytics or related professions.  If you have the skills required for a project, we’d love to hear from you.

Please find details of a new project below that we are seeking a volunteer(s) for:

Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust

Information about the organisation:

Charitable objectives: Preserve and maintain the Clifton Suspension Bridge for the future

Main activities of the organisation:  The Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust preserves and maintains the Clifton Suspension Bridge, Bristol, for the future. We have a small Visitor Centre staffed by volunteers which attracts 65,000+ visitors a year and we run educational tours and develop informal learning opportunities for people of all ages.

Project summary:

Project: Revenue from the charity’s shop is crucial. This project requires analysis of Electronic Point of Sale data to help plan stocking and sales strategy.

Time commitment:

A minimum of 4 days to undertake initial analysis and identify some headline messages from the basic EPOS data. A longer commitment – up to 10 person days - will enable more exploration of how this data, together with visitor data and business data, can be used to improve the sales strategy to increase income. The project may suit a pair or team of analysts, who will be able to collectively apply more person-days.

Location:  Bristol (BS8 3PA) On-site to understand the business and collect EPOS data; otherwise working from home.

Please read the project scope and if you feel you are able to offer your assistance please complete the application form and return to me along with your CV by midday on Friday 15th January 2016.

This project is suitable for an individual volunteer, pair or team of analysts.  If you would like to work on a project with the support of a mentor please do specify in your application and I can try to arrange this.  

Lastly, if you are interested in working on a project but cannot meet the deadline specified please do register your interest in the first instance before the deadline.

If you require any further information please do not hesitate to get in touch: felicity.mcleister@theorsociety.com or 0121 233 9300

I look forward to hearing from you and once again thank you for your help and support.

For further information about the scheme please visit: http://www.theorsociety.com/Pages/Probono/Probono.aspx

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Measuring the impact of supported projects #ORblog

Pro Bono O.R. has recently completed a project with The Childhood Trust.  Two volunteers spent several months working with the Trust to collate data that they'd never had the resource to uncover. 

The case study slide below gives an overview of the project:

When asked about the difference this project would make the The Childhood Trust said:

• It will help guide our board on grant making priorities.
• It has helped us engage further with our charity partners.
• It is informing our theory of change.
• It is driving our case for support with major donors and Foundations.

The CEO said:

'We were helped enormously this year by volunteers sourced via  Pro Bono O.R.  – they helped get us started on impact measurement and volunteers also analysed the data collected for us.  If you would like to consider using them for any part of your charity operational reviews, then I can recommend them.'

For more information about the scheme, to sign up as a volunteer, register your interest to receive Pro Bono O.R. support and to see the projects we have worked on so far please visit: http://www.theorsociety.com/Pages/Probono/Probono.aspx

Pro Bono O.R. success story #ORblog

Since starting out as a small pilot project in 2011, Pro Bono O.R. has come a long way. The OR Society launched the scheme officially in September 2013 by employing a paid co-ordinator to oversee and run the scheme (that's me!). It's been such a great adventure to be part of and the stats below are just a snap shot of how successful it has been so far

To see the projects we've worked on, to understand more about the scheme and request support, or to volunteers your skills, please visit Pro Bono O.R.

New project: Business planning for Hands Inc.

Pro Bono O.R. – enabling managers to make more effective decisions

Pro Bono O.R. is a scheme run by The OR Society that provides skills-based volunteers to work on short term projects with third sector organisations in the UK. 

Projects require skilled professionals who work in operational research, analytics or related professions.  If you have the skills required for a project, we’d love to hear from you.

Please find details of a new project below that we are seeking a volunteer(s) for:

Hands Inc.

Information about the organisation:

Charitable objectives:

·         To provide health, well-being, creative arts and complementary therapy services to socially and economically deprived individuals and groups within society, with the aim of improving their health and quality of life.

·         To reduce social inequalities by making health, well-being, creative arts and complementary therapies more accessible and affordable to socially and economically deprived individuals and groups within society.

·         To raise awareness and encourage debate about the intrinsic benefits of a holistic approach to health, and to advance education and research in this field.

·         To provide health, well-being, creative arts and complementary therapy services to individuals, groups and organisations that inspire and promote health and well-being.

Main activities of the organisation:  to inspire health and wellbeing.

Project summary:

Project: Business planning: As a result of public service funding cuts the organisation finds itself needing to review and develop plans for moving forward. We are seeking support to develop our strategy and business plans.

Time commitment: 3-7 days (dependent on methodology)

Location:  London (N16 7NX)

Note: This project is suitable for an individual or pair of analysts.

Please read the project scope and if you feel you are able to offer your assistance please complete the application form and return to me along with your CV by midday on Tuesday 15^th December 2015.

If you would like to work on a project with the support of a mentor please do specify in your application and I can try to arrange this.  Lastly, if you are interested in working on a project but cannot meet the deadline specified please do register your interest in the first instance before the deadline.

If you require any further information please do not hesitate to get in touch: felicity.mcleister@theorsociety.com or 0121 233 9300

I look forward to hearing from you and once again thank you for your help and support.