Pro Bono O.R. provides
free consultancy to help CIC evaluate the impact of their antenatal classes.
Parentskool requested Pro Bono O.R. support to analyse and
evaluate the impact from their antenatal classes on first time parents across
various factors: by socio-demographics and other cross analysis to produce an
independent evaluation of their outcomes.
Parentskool’s vision is for every parent to be
informed, prepared and confident in their ability to care for their baby.
Their mission is to provide realistic, fun and confidence-building
antenatal courses, and other products and services, that supports their
vision to inform and prepare parents-to-be, resulting in more confident,
healthier and happier parents and babies.
A volunteer analyst was matched to the CIC who carried out data
entry for approximately 300 post course survey and 60 post-natal surveys using
customised VBA forms in Excel. Results
of the surveys demonstrated that social-impact targets and values were being
met by Parentskool, who were then able to show these findings to fundraisers. Additionally they now have a system for data
entry which automatically produces high level results to use going forward.
CEO of Parentskool: ‘This
work has made a huge difference as it means we have instant outcomes data which
we can use in fundraising and talking to commissioners.’
The OR Society
launched its Pro Bono O.R. initiative for UK based third sector organisations
in September 2013. The society wants more organisations to benefit from
operational research and recognises that third sector organisations have an
even greater need to reduce costs and increase efficiency and effectiveness.
The purpose of O.R. is to enable managers to make more effective decisions. Organisations may seek a
very wide range of operational improvements - for example, greater efficiency,
better customer service, higher quality or lower cost. No matter what
size or at what stage your organisation is, no matter what kind of decision,
problem, or opportunity you face, O.R. can offer the
flexibility and adaptability to provide objective help.
These are some of the issues the
organisations we’ve worked with have faced:
·
‘We have lots of different
options for the future but it’s impossible to decide which to choose in such
uncertain times.’
·
‘We’re under huge
pressure to do more with less, and we don’t know how we’re going to do it.’
·
‘It’s hard to stay
objective when we’re faced with such emotionally charged decisions.’
·
‘We know we’re
doing a good job – but how can we prove it?’
For further information about how Pro Bono O.R.
could help your organisation please contact Felicity McLeister or visit the Pro Bono O.R. webpage.
