Knowledge

Knowledge

We don’t ever take a stab in the dark, research - often in partnership with other agencies- underpins all our work 

Over the years we’ve collaborated with some of the brightest and the best in the field of research, from the Institute of Volunteering Research, NatCen and Birkbeck to Demos and the Institute of Employment Studies- all in the name of exploring new and innovative ways to measure and capture immediate and long-term outcomes of volunteering.

Our research has focused on three main themes:

• the impact of volunteering on young people
• the impact of volunteering on communities, and
• understanding the relationship between volunteering and employment.
The results of our research constantly influence our policy work, as well as the way in which we develop new projects.

Take a look at our research reports, policy responses and evaluation documents.
 

Featured Resources

Riots Communities and Victims Panel

vInspired’s submission to the Panel focussed on the question of how communities can be made more socially and economically resilient to prevent future problems. We have focused on evidence that highlights the effectiveness of volunteering and social action in engaging people with their communities; developing the attributes and characteristics that young people need to make positive decisions; and building relationships, trust and a sense of belonging.
 

Positive for Youth
September 2011

vInspired responded to four of the Department for Education’s Positive for Youth discussion papers. The responses draw on vInspired’s experience and knowledge from working with 1 million young people through 500 voluntary and community partners and 200 private sector organisations on projects to inspire young people to take action to improve lives, communities and the planet. Importantly, our responses draw on the experiences of the young people that we have gathered through our research, evaluation, on-line forums, and Youth Advisory Board.

Formative Evaluation of v - Full Report
August 2011

In partnership with National Centre for Social Research, Institute for Volunteering Research, University of Southampton, University of Birmingham and Public Zone

This report has been three years in the making and has been an engaging and thought provoking process. 

The findings are extremely positive and include: a robust and very conservative Social Return on Investment ratio of £5.80 for every pound invested; evidence that v has engaged a diverse range of young volunteers and; confirmation that v created and filled over one million volunteering opportunities for young people aged 16-25