New Pro Bono OR Project: Joy of Sound

Joy of Sound Project

Reaching out to the hard to reach: Overcoming barriers to social participation.

Project:

To aid Joy of Sound (JOS) volunteers to evaluate the impact of their inclusive arts and music activities toward their 20th Anniversary celebrations.

Project description:

JOS undertakes a range of activities including inclusive music and arts workshops, training sessions, design and production of bespoke music instruments and associated access equipment, with the aim of promoting social inclusion through music and the creative arts. 

The model is so successful that they are in process of roll-out to other London Boroughs. In 2020 it will be their 20th anniversary and they would like to produce a report demonstrating the impact of their work with disabled and impaired people, volunteers, care support networks and the wider community. There is considerable data available.

It is anticipated that the volunteer will:

1. Have a project initiation meeting with the JOS founder and obtain available documentation and data
2. Visit a JOS session to meet participants and experience at first hand what happens and how.
3. Facilitate a half-day workshop with JOS trustees to Identify their key  inputs, activities, outcomes and impacts
4. Identify appropriate measures, data requirements, data sources together with any additional data gathering that is needed
5. Write a report on the impact of JOS together with recommendations for future data collection and reporting

Recommended Volunteer Requirements:

• A belief in and commitment to inclusive society 
• Experience with facilitation , skilled with data gathering and analysis.
• Experience of impact measurement and the theory of change would be helpful
• An interest in social inclusion and in finding ways to evaluate inclusive processes  

Time commitment: 5 days over 9 months

Location: Most of the work can be carried out remotely. The volunteer would need to attend the facilitation session in person and to attend one JOS session to experience what the charity do and how they do it, and to be better able to understand and consider viable approaches towards impact measurement and project evaluation.  

If you feel you are able to offer your assistance please complete the application form and return along with your CV to amy.hughes@theorsociety.com by 30^th April.

The OR Society fully supports equal opportunities. As such, we welcome applications from the partially sighted or blind, or those with disabilities.

Information about the organisation: 

Joy Of Sound uses inclusively designed and made instruments to help individuals, who might otherwise be excluded from the creative arts, to make music. The organisation works closely with the individual co-learner, their families and key-workers, and designers to build acoustic instruments that draw on the individual’s abilities, talents and tastes. JOS has facilitated thousands of individuals with differing needs over the last seven years and estimate 70% being from BME communities and over 30% being wheelchair users.

For further information about Joy of Sound please visit http://joyofsound.org/or email William Longden at williamelongden@icloud.com

For further information about the Pro Bono OR scheme, please visit: www.theorsociety.com/Probono  or email ProBonoOR@theorsociety.com

New Pro Bono OR Project: Lewisham Refugee and Migrant Network

Lewisham Refugee and Migrant Network Project

Better outcomes for refugees and migrants through better impact measurement 

Project:

To help the Lewisham Refugee and Migrant Network (LRMN) to improve its impact measurement.

Project description:

LRMN wishes to review its impact measurement. The current measures, though described as ‘impact’ measures,  are a mix of activity, output and outcome measures; and some softer outcomes, such as wellbeing, are not measured at all. LRMN has a Theory of Change (ToC), but the current measures are not linked to this at all. A new set of measures should address this, providing measures that both help the organisation to understand what it is doing well and what may need to change, and that provide appropriate information to funders and potential funders.

Whilst the impact measures should be linked to the ToC, the existing ToC does not fully reflect LRMN’s current activities, and is likely to be revised in the medium term. To avoid proposing measures that will become out of date with a new ToC,  the project should reflect this, by starting with a very quick review of the current Theory of Change, spending perhaps half a day with key stakeholders to 'kick the tyres' to find out what is missing or wrong and where it needs to be strengthened; and identifying what future changes might be required  (half a day).

With the current ToC and an understanding of likely future changes, the next steps are to:

• identify which are the most important activities, outputs and outcomes that need to be measured in addition to the current set of measures, and whether any current measures should be dropped
• undertake a literature review on the best ways of measuring these where appropriate, for example for measures of wellbeing, and recommend measures to LRMN
• when the measures are agreed, identify what data needs to be collected, and work with LRMN senior staff to understand what systems and processes they might need to do that
• make recommendations on suitable survey, questionnaire and analysis design and processes. 

The volunteer should have experience of designing performance and outcome measures, and know (or be able rapidly to get to grips with) how impact measurement relates to Theory of Change. They should also have the statistical and methodological skills to design surveys and questionnaires, and appropriate analysis. This project might suit a pair of volunteers with complementary skills. 

Time commitment: 
Around 4-6 days to:
• to understand the charity’s world, their current ToC and impact measurement 
• identify shortcomings in the ToC and how these may affect the measurements required
• identify what activities, outputs and outcomes to measure, in discussion with LRMN
• identify suitable measures, through literature review and in discussion with LRMN
• recommend ways of collecting these measures.

Any further work can be arranged by the volunteer(s) or a follow-on project can be specified

Location: The work needs some face-to-face time with perhaps 3 or 4 meetings, including the initial meeting to firm up on Terms of Reference, and the remainder of the time working remotely. 

If you feel you are able to offer your assistance please complete the application form and return along with your CV to amy.hughes@theorsociety.com by Wednesday 10^th April.

The OR Society fully supports equal opportunities. As such, we welcome applications from the partially sighted or blind, or those with disabilities.

Information about the organisation: 

LRMN have been providing free, independent and confidential advice to migrants, refugees and asylum seekers for over 25 years. Today they work with thousands of clients from all over London and help them access services needed to integrate and thrive into their local community. Their mission is to empower refugees and migrants to thrive, make a positive contribution, intergrate and take control of their own lives.  

For further information about  LRMN please visit https://www.lrmn.org.uk or email Alessandra Sciarra at alessandra.sciarra@lrmn.org.uk

For further information about the Pro Bono OR scheme, please visit:www.theorsociety.com/Probono  or email ProBonoOR@theorsociety.com

New Pro Bono OR Project: Humraaz Women's Refuge

Humraaz Project

Creating an Organisational Strategy and Business Plan for Humraaz (a women’s refuge) including risk assessment for the new outreach centre

Project:

Humraaz require support with developing a robust organisational strategy and business plan, including a risk assessment for their new outreach centre.

Project description:

Humraaz provides temporary refuge for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) women and their children who have suffered, or are at risk of suffering, domestic violence, abuse, and/or forced marriage. This is delivered through advice, support and accommodation. The charity has started an Outreach Centre: a community space for women in the community to access services such as coffee mornings, education, IT and DIY courses. The charity are now attempting to move into new territories; from running refuges to working in the community.

There are two strands to this project, each of which can be undertaken separately by an individual/group, ideally with one volunteer working on all aspects to ensure continuity and avoid duplication in effort.

1) Developing an organisational strategy and business plan:
Humraaz would like to develop an organisation strategy that is underpinned by a business plan that enables us to achieve our strategy. This may involve seeking input from stakeholders i.e. staff, volunteers and board of trustees. The OR volunteer would structure and facilitate these discussions and provide support to the charity to develop and write a strategy. This is something we have not done previously. However, the need for a strategy and business plan is critical at this point of the charity’s development.
Experience of soft OR methods or facilitation skills would be useful, also to assist with drafting the strategy. Humraaz has limited core capacity and any support is welcome.

2) Risk Assessment of Outreach Centre: 
Traditionally the charity has operated a safe refuge accommodation with a confidential address not known to the public. Starting an Outreach Centre may introduce new risks to the charity such as a public address, and women with mental health or physical needs attending the activities/coffee mornings. The OR volunteer would need to undertake a risk analysis to understand what these risks might entail, through consultation with the charity’s staff and volunteers, as well as discussion with other charities providing similar services.

Time commitment: 
Developing a Organisational Strategy & Business Plan: 3-5 days
Risk Assessment of Outreach Centre: 3 days

Location: 1-2 visits to the Blackburn office may be required for each project strand, but these are limited (to potentially a few hours). The organisation is willing to work flexibly (e.g. via teleconference or video conference).  All other work can be done remotely

If you feel you are able to offer your assistance please complete the application form and return along with your CV to amy.hughes@theorsociety.com by Monday 1^st April.

The OR Society fully supports equal opportunities. As such, we welcome applications from the partially sighted or blind, or those with disabilities.

Information about the organisation: 

Humraaz helps hundreds of women affected by domestic violence every year. We support women to move from crisis to safety and independence. With a philosophy of mutual self-help and empowerment, we aim to support and assist women and children to recover from the trauma of violence and abuse. We assist women to regain their strength in order to be able to make their own decisions about what is right for them in their lives

For further information about Humraaz please visit http://www.humraaz.co.uk/or email Firoza Mohmed at Firoza@humraaz.org.uk

For further information about the Pro Bono OR scheme, please visit:www.theorsociety.com/Probono  or email ProBonoOR@theorsociety.com

New Pro Bono OR Project: Kissing it Better

Kissing It Better Project

Creating a data collection and monitoring system

Project:

Developing quantitative data monitoring that will provide supporting evidence of our service delivery, its value to stakeholders, society, potential fundraisers and donors

Project description:

Kissing it Better (KiB) need data collection systems in place, suitable for the organization, with minimal input required. The data to be collected concerns KiB’s various activities, such as visits of young people to residential homes or hospitals to enhance the lives of the elderly. They wish to use this data to be able to create reports for various stakeholders, such as funders. Further to this KiB would benefit from advice surrounding the implementation of a method of quantitative data collection that is both user friendly for young people who may have limited understanding of numeracy whilst also meeting project targets.

Time commitment:  12 days

Location: Approximately three visits will be needed to the Kissing it Better offices: at the beginning, middle and end of the project.  Contact with the COO at other times can be by phone or Skype.  The COO, Steph, works Monday-Thursday 8.30am-4.30pm. Office location: Henley in Arden, Warwickshire, B95 6JB.

If you feel you are able to offer your assistance please complete the application form and return along with your CV to amy.hughes@theorsociety.com by 18^th April.

The OR Society fully supports equal opportunities. As such, we welcome applications from the partially sighted or blind, or those with disabilities.

Information about the organisation: 

Kissing it Better is about sharing simple healthcare ideas. It is also about harnessing the energy of the most dynamic groups in a local community and inviting them to use their specialist skills to make a difference to the care of patients and their carers within hospitals and care homes. Through our website, events and training, we promote practical ideas and foster the mind-set that created them. With resources under pressure and rising complaints in the media, there couldn't be a better time for doing this. Kissing it Better aims to make a world of difference to health care, today.

For further information about Kissing it Better please visit http://www.kissingitbetter.co.uk/ or email stephaniejelliott18@gmail.com

For further information about the Pro Bono OR scheme, please visit:www.theorsociety.com/Probono  or email ProBonoOR@theorsociety.com

New Pro Bono OR Project: Family Action

Family Action Project

Bidding decisions: improving the chances of success

Project:

Family Action bids for around 30 contracts each year, to provide services. Around one-third are successful’ so a lot of effort is being put into bidding for contracts that are not successful. This project will analyse the data around the last few years’ bids, to identify any factors that may help the hard-pressed bidding team to target their resources on bids with a greater chance of success.

Project description:

This project could have several stages, depending on what appears most useful at the conclusion of the first and subsequent stages. The minimum currently asked of the initial volunteers is completion of the first stage below, and scoping for any subsequent stages requested by the charity. It is up to the volunteer and the charity, how much to undertake as part of this assignment.

Stage 1: analysis of the data on past bids, to see if there are any common factors or combinations of factor that may be used to help identify at an early stage bids that are unlikely to be successful, and assign a chance of success to each bid.

Stage 2: consideration with the team of the factors that make them decide to  bid, including chance of success, effort involved in bidding, strategic and financial value, alternative options, etc; and use this to put together a decision support algorithm or model to help in deciding on each bid

At this stage, it may also be appropriate to consider the very large number of contracts to put out to tender that the team has decided not to bid for. Most of these are filtered out at an early stage, but some have been given serious consideration. 

Stage 3: development of a management reporting tool that shows, at time of report, the pipeline of all the live opportunities, and conveys useful information about the likely future income from these projects bearing in mind the chance of success, and the fact that success actually is binary (either you are successful or not).

Skills required: consultancy skills; statistical analysis (including ideally understanding of Bayesian statistics and when this might be appropriate); basic knowledge of charity contracting and funding or ability rapidly to get to grips with that; general modelling. 

This may suit two volunteers, sharing the work between them. Please say when applying, if you are only interested in doing one or the other part of the project.

Time commitment:  Initially 5 days for Stage 1: 

• 1 day to understand the charity’s world and the data that is available 
• 3 days to analyse the data
• 1 day for reporting and high-level scoping of any future work

Any further work can be arranged by the volunteer(s) or a follow-on project can be specified

Location: The work needs some face-to-face time at the start with staff and databases, during the working day (London EC1V 2PT). Most of the analysis and reporting can be done off site. Final reporting should be done face-to-face, during the working day.

If you feel you are able to offer your assistance please complete the application form and return along with your CV to amy.hughes@theorsociety.com by 18^th April.

The OR Society fully supports equal opportunities. As such, we welcome applications from the partially sighted or blind, or those with disabilities.

Information about the organisation: 

Family Action transforms lives by providing practical, emotional and financial support to those who are experiencing poverty, disadvantage and social isolation across the country. They have been building stronger families since 1869, and today work with over 45,000 families through over 135 community-based services. Thousands more are supported with financial assistance through education and welfare grants programmes. Their innovative services reach out to those in need, strengthen families and communities, build skills and resilience and improve the life chances of children and adults.

For further information about Family Action please visit https://www.family-action.org.uk/ or email Anja.Bailey@family-action.org.uk

For further information about the Pro Bono OR scheme, please visit: www.theorsociety.com/Probono  or email ProBonoOR@theorsociety.com

New Pro Bono OR Project: CLIC Sargent

CLIC Sargent

Tracking and measuring supporter engagement

Project:

Tracking and measuring supporter engagement to help drive loyalty to CLIC Sargent and their cause.

Project description:

Central to CLIC Sargent's fundraising strategy, One Team, One Target, is a programme to ensure that the supporters engagement with the charity meets their expectations and is consistent across the charity as a whole. As part of this, it is vital that CLIC Sargent are able to track and measure supporter engagement to  gauge the impact of their work and more broadly whether they are deepening relationships and encouraging loyalty to CLIC Sargent and their cause. 

To date, the charity have used simplistic metrics such as number and type of contact points and retention to understand engagement and loyalty respectively. They attempted to measure this in the form of a weighted engagement score, but the broadness of the measure meant they were unable to explain any changes or diagnose issues for specific supporter groups in relation to their time with the charity. Therefore, CLIC Sargent would like to understand what they should pay attention to in terms of the key engagement points that drive loyalty at a level of detail that can inform their thinking regarding what to do next. 

CLIC Sargent record a wealth of data relating to each supporter and their engagement with them on a fundraising database, including all donation types, non-financial actions such as signing petitions or volunteer hours, engagement through opening and clicking through emails and data related to social media activity.
However, they currently do not have the capacity or skill base to draw out the insight on which data sets are the most valuable in respect of this project and which would value the support to do this.  

To help prospective volunteers, here is a link to a case study of a project with the RNLI that had similar objectives: https://www.apteco.com/our-clients/case-studies/rnli-qbase  

Time commitment:  12 days

Location: Mostly remote working, but perhaps three visits to the offices in London (77-85 Fulham Palace Road, London W6 8JA) at the beginning, middle and end of the project. 

If you feel you are able to offer your assistance please complete the application form and return along with your CV to amy.hughes@theorsociety.com by 18th April.

The OR Society fully supports equal opportunities. As such, we welcome applications from the partially sighted or blind, or those with disabilities.

Information about the organisation: 

CLIC Sargent fights tirelessly to stop cancer destroying young lives. The charity provides grants and crucial financial support, social workers and play specialists, free places to stay near to hospitals to keep families together during treatment and gives families the right support to keep going if their child dies. 

For further information about CLIC Sargent please visit https://www.clicsargent.org.uk/ or email Angus.Kerr@clicsargent.org.uk

For further information about the Pro Bono OR scheme, please visit:www.theorsociety.com/Probono  or email ProBonoOR@theorsociety.com

New Pro Bono OR Project: The Friends of Windmill Gardens

The Friends of Windmill Gardens Project

Putting the Wind in Our Sails

Project:

A research project looking at reporting possibilities from recording system and into methods for deciding on income-generating activities.

Project description:

There are two mini research projects.

1. FoWG  is piloting a new system of recording volunteer time, replacing the paper-based system, and want to investigate the capacity of the system for reporting both on an ad-hoc basis and for producing regular automated reports.

2. FoWG has a challenging 5-year business plan which relies on several income-generation schemes, many of which are new. They want to investigate methods for deciding which streams are likely to be profit-making, identify opportunities for expanding potentially profitable activities, and decide for how long currently non-profit making activities should be continued in the expectation of future profits. 

Project 1

It is anticipated that the volunteer will:
• Meet with Marta Babecka who is in charge of admin; discuss with her what the system does and what reporting she would like to have
• Investigate the system to ascertain its reporting capabilities
• Produce an information sheet on how to interrogate the system to produce the required outputs

• And possibly, if feasible, design an automated system for regular reporting

Project 2

It is expected that the volunteer will:
• Obtain from Marta all relevant documentation (the most recent business plan, the budget and the recent accounts
• Investigate the planned income streams
• Investigate possible methods for deciding when and how long to continue income-generating activities, and identifying opportunities for expanding some activities.
• Write a report summarizing findings

• And possibly, present report to the Board

Requirements: 

The volunteer(s) should be comfortable with investigating different computer systems, and with methods of cost-benefit analysis. Experience of working with the third sector would be helpful. 

This project would suit a single volunteer or a team of two.

Time commitment:  6 days over 3 to 4 months

Location: Most of the work can be carried out remotely. The volunteer would need to attend an initial meeting with the administrator and, possibly, a presentation to the Board. The address for these is 24 Prague Place, London, SW2 5ED. 

If you feel you are able to offer your assistance please complete the application form and return along with your CV to amy.hughes@theorsociety.com by 18th April.

The OR Society fully supports equal opportunities. As such, we welcome applications from the partially sighted or blind, or those with disabilities.

Information about the organisation: 

The Friends of Windmill Gardens is a local residents’ group that was set up in 2003 to campaign for the restoration, preservation and enhancement of Brixton Windmill and Windmill Gardens. The charity aims to support the restoration, preservation and continued use of the Grade II* listed windmill, build a unique education facility for schools and the local community and provide community events that bring local people together.

For further information about the Friends of Windmill Gardens please visit http://brixtonwindmill.org/friends or email vwhittingham@hotmail.co.uk

For further information about the Pro Bono OR scheme, please visit:www.theorsociety.com/Probono  or email ProBonoOR@theorsociety.com