Supporting The Future Melting Pot

Please find details of two new projects with The Future Melting Pot. 

The Future Melting Pot

Project summary (1):

Project: Transforming Communities: Statistical exploration of disadvantaged communities in the local area with the aim of developing strategies to address challenges.

Time commitment: max. 3 days

Location: All work can be carried out remotely

Please read 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 Monday 27^th March.

Project summary (2):

Project: Transforming Futures Making People. To aid the organisation to:

1.      Develop strategy and operational improvements

2.      Improve methods of working with multiple stakeholders

Time commitment: approx. 5 days, though this will need to be checked by the volunteer in the light of information gathered at their first meeting

Location: Birmingham

Please read 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 Monday 27^th March.

Information about the organisation:

Charitable objectives:

To improve the lives of marginalized young people (16-24 year olds) and communities.

Main activities of the organisation: 

We develop and deliver evidence-based research, involving young people to design targeted programs.

We facilitate the collaboration between organisations, providing a platform that ensures their efficient use of resources to maximize the social impact.

We align with partners delivering public services to achieve their strategic priorities.

We help the private sector organisations to make an impact by helping them to deliver Corporate Social Responsibility strategies and to engage with the wider community.

If you would like to volunteer on a project but are not able to commit to the full time requirement please let me know as it may be possible to pair you up with another analyst.  Lastly if you would like to work on a project as part of a pair or with the support of a mentor please indicate on your application and we try to facilitate this. 

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/Probono  

A strategic approach to small charity business planning

This is the latest project to be completed with #ProBonoOR

Hands Inc. contacted Pro Bono O.R. at the end of 2015 requesting support. They needed a strategic approach to business planning due to a challenging financial approach, and a reduced numbers of volunteers to deliver key services.

At the start of 2016 a volunteer analyst began work with Hands Inc. and after 10 volunteer days spent working with the organisation, the project was completed last month.

The approach the volunteer took to the project can be seen in the case study below, as well as the many benefits that resulted.

The volunteer said that the whole experience had been very rewarding.

To find out more about the scheme please visit www.theorsociety.com/probono

Felicity McLeister has been managing the Pro Bono O.R. scheme for 3 years. To find out more about her and the scheme please read this interview with The Influence Expert.

Strategic planning for Hope North East #ProBonoOR #GORS

Here is the latest completed #ProBonoOR project which two analysts from the National Audit Office carried out.

Hope North East is a charity that exists to inspire, motivate, empower and support all those affected by substance misuse, to sustain long term recovery and lasting positive change.

The project was to help to develop a new 3 year strategic plan.  Please see the case study slide below for further information.

The CEO of Hope North East said:

'We are very happy with the revised mission and purpose and 3 year strategy, which is invaluable. The ongoing support of one of the volunteers gives us expertise that will be incredibly useful to us achieving sustainability longer term.

I am incredibly grateful for the support and will definitely recommend the opportunity to other charities.'

To find out how to receive free support or how to get involved with Pro Bono O.R., please visit: http://www.theorsociety.com/Probono

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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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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.

Volunteer required for project with Age UK #ORblog

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 skilled 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 skilled volunteer for:

Age UK Dacorum

Information about the organisation:

Charitable objectives: To support older people and their carers.

Main activities of the organisation:

Service provision – Befriending, carers support, day centers, friendship teas, memory support clubs (COGs), telephone support, handyperson.

Project summary:

Project: Long-term sustainability: To help Age UK Dacorum develop and implement a business change plan aimed at improving its long-term financial sustainability.

Time commitment: approx. 5 days (to be completed by 25^th October 2015)

Location:  Hemel Hempstead Mixture on onsite and remote working.

Please read the project scope and LSF application form 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 Wednesday 30^th October 2015.

This project is suitable for an individual volunteer. 

If you require any further information please do not hesitate to get in touch.

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

Kind regards

Felicity McLeister

O.R. Pro Bono Project Manager
Direct Tel +44 (0)121 234 7826, Main Tel +44 (0)121 233 9300

If you are not already a member of The OR Society and are interested in joining please visit https://www.theorsociety.com/ or send an email to carol.smith@theorsociety.com

Additionally you may be interested in becoming a member of our Third Sector Special Interest Group (ORiTS). For more details visit:  https://www.theorsociety.com/Pages/SpecialInterest/ORThirdSector.aspx

Other webpages that may be of interest:

http://probonoor.blogspot.co.uk/

http://www.theorsociety.com/Pages/Probono/Probono.aspx
http://www.LearnAboutOR.co.uk
http://www.ScienceofBetter.co.uk

Become a Pro Bono O.R volunteer

#ProBonoOR : New project reviewing impact measurement #volunteers

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

Pro Bono O.R. is a scheme run by The OR Society that offers free support to third sector organisations in the UK. 

Please find details of a new project below.

Disability Rights UK

Information about the organisation:

Charitable objectives:

·         Mobilise disabled people’s leadership and control – in our own lives, our organisations and society.

·         Achieve independent living in practice.

·         Break the link between disability and poverty.

·         Put disability equality and human rights into practice across society.

Main activities of the organisation: disability rights, policy and campaigning, putting information in the hands of disabled people through advice lines and publications e.g. Disability Rights Handbook and DR UK website

Project summary:

Project: Develop a consistent approach to impact measurement: Review existing approaches to gathering, analysing and reporting impact data in order to recommend a more consistent and “modern” approach.

Time commitment: approx. 6-9 days

Location:  London

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 Wednesday 9^th September 2015.

This project is suitable for an individual volunteer or pair 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.

We are still looking for volunteers for the following two projects:

Hope North East

Information about the organisation:

Charitable objectives: Hope North East exists to inspire, motivate, empower and support all those affected by substance misuse, to sustain long term recovery and lasting positive change.

Main activities of the organisation: We have a variety of funding from grants and a sub-contracting relationship. We provide psychosocial support through individual and groupwork, we have a housing team and provide supported housing and tenancy support. We have a volunteer coordinator with 34 volunteers as part of the organisation. We have 20 staff and 15fte.

Other relevant information: Hope North East started as a CIC and achieved charity status 2 years ago, it has had a rapid growth spurt 18 months ago which has left areas of the organisation in need of development and modernization. There is no strategy in place and I feel we need support to work up the beginnings of a strategy which informs future workstreams.

Project summary:

Project: Facilitating strategy planning: To aid the CEO, trustees and staff to develop a 3-year strategic plan

Time commitment: approx. 2 days

Location:  Middleborough

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 Monday 31^st August 2015.

This project is suitable for an individual volunteer or pair 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.

Charityworks

I

nformation about the organisation:

Charitable objectives: To improve the standard of leadership and management in the UK non-profit sector, with the aim of having a transformative impact on the causes and communities the sector serves.

Main activities of the organisation: Charityworks is first and foremost a graduate programme open to any non-profit organisation regardless of size or activity. It connects organisations with talented graduates capable of making an impact on the causes and communities those organisation’s serve.

Area of benefit: We work to improve the quality of services provided by UK charities, by building their capacity in terms of management and leadership.

Project summary:

Project: Review of Selection & Placement Process: Analyse and improve an open, mass selection and placement campaign for a cross-sector graduate leadership programme with multiple stakeholders/partners.

Time commitment: approx. 10 days

Location:  London (potential for some if not all the project to be carried out remotely).

 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 Wednesday 2^nd September 2015.

This project is suitable for an individual volunteer or pair 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.

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

Kind regards

Felicity McLeister

O.R. Pro Bono Project Manager

(Mon, Tue & Wed)
Direct Tel +44 (0)121 234 7826, Main Tel +44 (0)121 233 9300

If you are not already a member of The OR Society and are interested in joining please visit https://www.theorsociety.com/ or send an email to carol.smith@theorsociety.com

Additionally you may be interested in becoming a member of our Third Sector Special Interest Group (ORiTS). For more details visit:  https://www.theorsociety.com/Pages/SpecialInterest/ORThirdSector.aspx

Other webpages that may be of interest:

http://probonoor.blogspot.co.uk/

http://www.theorsociety.com/Pages/Probono/Probono.aspx
http://www.LearnAboutOR.co.uk
http://www.ScienceofBetter.co.uk

Strategy planning and database insight: #skilledvolunteering for two projects

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

Pro Bono O.R. is a scheme run by The OR Society that offers free support to third sector organisations in the UK. 

Please find details of a new project below.

Hope North East

Information about the organisation:

Charitable objectives: Hope North East exists to inspire, motivate, empower and support all those affected by substance misuse, to sustain long term recovery and lasting positive change.

Main activities of the organisation: We have a variety of funding from grants and a sub-contracting relationship. We provide psychosocial support through individual and groupwork, we have a housing team and provide supported housing and tenancy support. We have a volunteer coordinator with 34 volunteers as part of the organisation. We have 20 staff and 15fte.

Other relevant information: Hope North East started as a CIC and achieved charity status 2 years ago, it has had a rapid growth spurt 18 months ago which has left areas of the organisation in need of development and modernization. There is no strategy in place and I feel we need support to work up the beginnings of a strategy which informs future workstreams.

Project summary:

Project: Facilitating strategy planning: To aid the CEO, trustees and staff to develop a 3-year strategic plan

Time commitment: approx. 2 days

Location:  Middleborough

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 Monday 31^st August 2015.

This project is suitable for an individual volunteer or pair 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.

We are still looking for volunteers for the following project:

Big Issue

Information about the organisation:

Main activities of the organisation: Enabling Big Issue vendors to access a wide range of ‘support’ agencies that will help them journey away from homelessness.

Charitable objectives: The relief of poverty with particular reference to the needs of homeless persons.

Other relevant information: Big Issue are seeking to gain further insights into the data that we hold on our supporters which, in turn, we hope leads to further growth again regular committed income (monthly direct debits) and seasonal appeals. The CRM database that we use is ‘Raiser’s Edge’

Project summary:

Project: Gaining insight from a CRM database: To analyse supporter data held on a Raiser’s Edge CRM database to gain insights that will help identify and target opportunities to grow income.

Time commitment: approx. 2 ½ days on site

Location:  London (SW8 2LN)

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 Monday 17^th August 2015.

This project is suitable for an individual volunteer or pair 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.

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

Kind regards

Felicity McLeister

O.R. Pro Bono Project Manager

(Mon, Tue & Wed)
Direct Tel +44 (0)121 234 7826, Main Tel +44 (0)121 233 9300

If you are not already a member of The OR Society and are interested in joining please visit https://www.theorsociety.com/ or send an email to carol.smith@theorsociety.com

Additionally you may be interested in becoming a member of our Third Sector Special Interest Group (ORiTS). For more details visit:  https://www.theorsociety.com/Pages/SpecialInterest/ORThirdSector.aspx

Other webpages that may be of interest:

http://probonoor.blogspot.co.uk/

http://www.theorsociety.com/Pages/Probono/Probono.aspx
http://www.LearnAboutOR.co.uk
http://www.ScienceofBetter.co.uk