The project comprised a comprehensive evaluation of the Modernising Volunteering National Support Services (MVNSS), a three year programme that aimed to modernise volunteering in a number of key priority areas. Modernising Volunteering was one of nine national work streams funded by Capacitybuilders’ National Support Services programme.

The GoldStar Exemplar Programme was a national initiative commissioned by the government to encourage and enable voluntary organisations and projects throughout England to realise the potential of volunteers, mentors and befrienders from socially excluded or disadvantaged groups. The aim of the programme was to promote and share the good practices used in engaging people from these groups and giving them the opportunity to enrich their own and other peoples' lives. LES were responsible for a programme of research to underpin the Cabinet Office funded GoldStar programme over the period 2006 – 2008. This included the production of a Good Practice Handbook.

Goldstar was a national programme aimed at encouraging and disseminating good practice in working with volunteers that are at risk of social exclusion. The research drew on the experience of particular GoldStar organisations that had either successfully replicated their projects (or particular procedures and practices) within different localities and/or organisations, or were in the process of achieving this.

The main aim of this action research project was to develop a practical guide to impact assessment, based on both the lessons learnt by GoldStar organisations in seeking to implement different approaches to impact assessment and also the good practice developed by such organisations in relation to impact assessment, by working with socially excluded groups.

This challenging research project surveyed organisations who were not currently on the Business or Charities Register, but who nevertheless provide much needed services within local communities within Coventry & Warwickshire. A detailed report was completed on behalf of RAWM providing a unique insight into the nature and activities of ‘under the radar’ voluntary and community sector organisations.

The project comprised a programme of action research, the purpose of which was to capture the contribution of the Third Sector in helping deliver outcomes against Birmingham’s Community Cohesion Strategy. The report was intended to provide a valuable resource for Third Sector organisations and residents seeking to improve community cohesion in their own localities. In particular, it provided an extensive range of case studies on how voluntary and community organisations have sought to tackle different issues, thereby providing a basis for learning from others as to what has worked well. Undertaken in conjunction with MEL Research.

Scoping of the demand, audience and content for an on-line resource that captures learning and good practice from the Big Lottery Fund’s environmental programmes and projects.

The purpose of the research which was commissioned by BVSC was to explore the potential for the development of Birmingham voluntary sector intelligence¹.
¹ Sector intelligence is simply a generic term used to describe various types of information that can be gathered and used to describe the nature and activities of the voluntary and community sector in Birmingham.

This research involved undertaking a mapping and needs assessment of voluntary and community sector (VCS) organisations and activity in south Birmingham on behalf of the South Birmingham PCT (SBPCT). The main purpose of this research was to develop a clear understanding of the current VCS service provision across south Birmingham in terms of both services provided and associated service coverage by locality.