Change in the making: A dynamic and relational landscape of voluntary action
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Birmingham
Department Name: Third Sector Research Centre
Abstract
'Change in the Making' is an exciting and unique study of change in the third sector over time. To our knowledge, nothing like it has been attempted elsewhere, and the changes and challenges in the operating environment for the third sector make it extremely timely.
Our project investigates the ways in which change is negotiated, created and contested by a range of different stakeholders in diverse third sector settings. It focuses attention on organisations as contested spaces of collective action, involving the interplay of multiple stakeholders, such as paid staff, volunteers, service users and commissioners, all with different interests. The study will build on, extend and enhance the Third Sector Research Centre's ground-breaking long term 'Real Times' programme of research with third sector organisations carried out between 2010 and 2014.
Change in the Making is a timely study given the challenges facing voluntary organisations at the present time. It will be of great value for those interested in how third sector activities are sustained, and in how third sector organisations adapt to change over time. The 'Real Times' study followed the fortunes of a set of third sector case studies through an unsettled environment, involving a combination of political and institutional change and a challenging financial context, particularly for organisations drawing on public funds to carry out their work. Hence the original research charted the first years of adjustment to austerity.
Change in the Making takes the story forward through three further intensive waves of fieldwork, over four years, with four of the original case studies. In line with the study's aims we deepen the analysis of the longitudinal case studies by broadening the range of research participants at each case study site, and we place their experience in context by situating the case studies within wider field developments. A focus on a smaller number of cases allows us to refresh and deepen our research questions. The longitudinal approach facilitates a longer term perspective on the rhythms of organisational change and continuity. By the end of the proposed study we will have engaged with the case study organisations for nearly ten years from 2010 through to 2019, i.e. surviving through an initial period of austerity, but with uncertain prospects in the years ahead. We know already how these organisations and activities have survived through to 2014, but what happens next, and more specifically how is what happens next shaped by different influences and stakeholders?
The study informs and advances academic debates on conceptualisation of, change in, and the character of, the third sector. It is of great relevance to policy and practice debates because it provides great insights into how change is made and experienced in the third sector on an everyday basis. It develops our understanding of how third sector organisations really work in practice, through its in-depth engagement with individual organisations. No other British study has been able to do this. It informs the development of policy and practice for and in the third sector, by providing real and vivid insights into the everyday dilemmas, pressures and practices of third sector organisational life, and thus shaping more realistic accounts of third sector activities than currently prevail. It extends the study of third sector activities over time and it thereby contributes a unique and innovative organisational dimension to the growing body of qualitative longitudinal work in the social sciences. It has the potential to impact upon third sector policy, practice and discourse: to influence the development of practice through bulding capacity within the third sector and to create conceptual impact through reframing the debate about third sector organisations and their role in society.
Our project investigates the ways in which change is negotiated, created and contested by a range of different stakeholders in diverse third sector settings. It focuses attention on organisations as contested spaces of collective action, involving the interplay of multiple stakeholders, such as paid staff, volunteers, service users and commissioners, all with different interests. The study will build on, extend and enhance the Third Sector Research Centre's ground-breaking long term 'Real Times' programme of research with third sector organisations carried out between 2010 and 2014.
Change in the Making is a timely study given the challenges facing voluntary organisations at the present time. It will be of great value for those interested in how third sector activities are sustained, and in how third sector organisations adapt to change over time. The 'Real Times' study followed the fortunes of a set of third sector case studies through an unsettled environment, involving a combination of political and institutional change and a challenging financial context, particularly for organisations drawing on public funds to carry out their work. Hence the original research charted the first years of adjustment to austerity.
Change in the Making takes the story forward through three further intensive waves of fieldwork, over four years, with four of the original case studies. In line with the study's aims we deepen the analysis of the longitudinal case studies by broadening the range of research participants at each case study site, and we place their experience in context by situating the case studies within wider field developments. A focus on a smaller number of cases allows us to refresh and deepen our research questions. The longitudinal approach facilitates a longer term perspective on the rhythms of organisational change and continuity. By the end of the proposed study we will have engaged with the case study organisations for nearly ten years from 2010 through to 2019, i.e. surviving through an initial period of austerity, but with uncertain prospects in the years ahead. We know already how these organisations and activities have survived through to 2014, but what happens next, and more specifically how is what happens next shaped by different influences and stakeholders?
The study informs and advances academic debates on conceptualisation of, change in, and the character of, the third sector. It is of great relevance to policy and practice debates because it provides great insights into how change is made and experienced in the third sector on an everyday basis. It develops our understanding of how third sector organisations really work in practice, through its in-depth engagement with individual organisations. No other British study has been able to do this. It informs the development of policy and practice for and in the third sector, by providing real and vivid insights into the everyday dilemmas, pressures and practices of third sector organisational life, and thus shaping more realistic accounts of third sector activities than currently prevail. It extends the study of third sector activities over time and it thereby contributes a unique and innovative organisational dimension to the growing body of qualitative longitudinal work in the social sciences. It has the potential to impact upon third sector policy, practice and discourse: to influence the development of practice through bulding capacity within the third sector and to create conceptual impact through reframing the debate about third sector organisations and their role in society.
Planned Impact
This project will provide a unique qualitative longitudinal evidence base on change in the making within the third sector: on how change is created, contested and experienced by multiple stakeholders. Beyond the academic beneficiaries of this study (particular those involved in voluntary sector studies, social policy and sociology), we will work with and seek to have an impact upon two primary sets of third sector stakeholders:
1. Third sector organisations delivering front line services. Austerity measures and welfare reforms are contributing to a particularly unsettled environment for third sector organisations. Change in the Making will seek to contribute to organisational change processes through building the capabilities (skills, knowledge and confidence) of third sector leaders through providing engaging and accessible evidence of change in the making and through facilitating reflective spaces to think about their organisations and their working practices.
2. The surrounding third sector support architecture, which includes national and local third sector infrastructure bodies (e.g. umbrella bodies and organisations which promote and support voluntary action at national and local level); funders of voluntary action (e.g. Big Lottery Fund, charitable trusts and foundations, commissioners); policy makers (within third sector organisations and within government), third sector-focused media, research and consultancy agencies and think tanks (e.g. IVR, IVAR, NESTA, RSA). Together these bodies seek, in different ways, to support the third sector, yet the evidence base available for them to draw upon remains partial and debates are often underpinned by untested assumptions. Change in the Making will contribute to a reframing of debates about the characteristics and role of third sector organisations. It will also seek to build capacity within the supporting architecture by piloting methods to create reflective learning groups for third sector organisations that could be cascaded by infrastructure bodies and by developing a module to be incorporated into existing leadership development activities.
A longer term aspiration is to have a positive impact upon the quality of life and wellbeing of the many thousands of individuals who engage in voluntary action as workers, volunteers and service users through giving voice to a wider range of stakeholders within third sector organisations and through influencing third sector policy and practice.
TSRC's work to date has had a significant impact on third sector organisations and on debates about the third sector among academics, policy makers and practitioners (see for example, http://www.thirdsector.co.uk/its-change-research-front/policy-and-politics/article/1309000). This gives us a strong starting point.
To enhance the quality of the Change in the Making study and its potential impact on the third sector, we will work to involve our stakeholders in all stages of the research, from design through to delivery of the emergent responses. For example, an Advisory Group will bring together nine key third sector leaders to advise on study design and implementation and to help shape emerging recommendations and impact activities. We will establish a wider virtual sounding board and facilitate deliberative workshops to engage a wider range of stakeholders in discussions about the emerging study findings and to help shape analysis, outputs and outcomes. We will draw on the study findings to co-design and co-deliver capacity building activities, including reflective learning groups and leadership development modules. We will also draw on the study findings to contribute to a reframing of the debate about the third sector, to move beyond existing assumptions and single-perspective narratives, through a range of mechanisms including conferences, workshops, presentations and working papers and an extensive communication strategy.
1. Third sector organisations delivering front line services. Austerity measures and welfare reforms are contributing to a particularly unsettled environment for third sector organisations. Change in the Making will seek to contribute to organisational change processes through building the capabilities (skills, knowledge and confidence) of third sector leaders through providing engaging and accessible evidence of change in the making and through facilitating reflective spaces to think about their organisations and their working practices.
2. The surrounding third sector support architecture, which includes national and local third sector infrastructure bodies (e.g. umbrella bodies and organisations which promote and support voluntary action at national and local level); funders of voluntary action (e.g. Big Lottery Fund, charitable trusts and foundations, commissioners); policy makers (within third sector organisations and within government), third sector-focused media, research and consultancy agencies and think tanks (e.g. IVR, IVAR, NESTA, RSA). Together these bodies seek, in different ways, to support the third sector, yet the evidence base available for them to draw upon remains partial and debates are often underpinned by untested assumptions. Change in the Making will contribute to a reframing of debates about the characteristics and role of third sector organisations. It will also seek to build capacity within the supporting architecture by piloting methods to create reflective learning groups for third sector organisations that could be cascaded by infrastructure bodies and by developing a module to be incorporated into existing leadership development activities.
A longer term aspiration is to have a positive impact upon the quality of life and wellbeing of the many thousands of individuals who engage in voluntary action as workers, volunteers and service users through giving voice to a wider range of stakeholders within third sector organisations and through influencing third sector policy and practice.
TSRC's work to date has had a significant impact on third sector organisations and on debates about the third sector among academics, policy makers and practitioners (see for example, http://www.thirdsector.co.uk/its-change-research-front/policy-and-politics/article/1309000). This gives us a strong starting point.
To enhance the quality of the Change in the Making study and its potential impact on the third sector, we will work to involve our stakeholders in all stages of the research, from design through to delivery of the emergent responses. For example, an Advisory Group will bring together nine key third sector leaders to advise on study design and implementation and to help shape emerging recommendations and impact activities. We will establish a wider virtual sounding board and facilitate deliberative workshops to engage a wider range of stakeholders in discussions about the emerging study findings and to help shape analysis, outputs and outcomes. We will draw on the study findings to co-design and co-deliver capacity building activities, including reflective learning groups and leadership development modules. We will also draw on the study findings to contribute to a reframing of the debate about the third sector, to move beyond existing assumptions and single-perspective narratives, through a range of mechanisms including conferences, workshops, presentations and working papers and an extensive communication strategy.
Organisations
- University of Birmingham (Lead Research Organisation)
- BIRMINGHAM VOLUNTARY SERVICE COUNCIL (Collaboration)
- Advice Services Alliance (ASA) (Project Partner)
- Cranfield Trust (Project Partner)
- Children England (Project Partner)
- Barrow Cadbury Trust (Project Partner)
- NAVCA (Voluntary & Community Action) (Project Partner)
- Big Lottery Fund (Project Partner)
- National Council for Voluntary Organisations (Project Partner)
- Locality (Project Partner)
- London Funders (Project Partner)
Publications
Mohan, J
(2020)
One thing we can't afford to lose
Mohan J
(2018)
The financial position of English voluntary organisations: relationships between subjective perceptions and financial realities
in Voluntary Sector Review
Mohan J
(2018)
Then versus now: insights from the world of research
McDonnell, D
(2020)
Charity Density and Social Need: A Longitudinal Perspective
in SAGE Journals
McDonnell, D
(2021)
Income dependence and diversification of UK charities at the onset of Covid-19
Macmillan R; Ellis Paine A
(2018)
Third sector commissioning experiences - a qualitative longitudinal perspective
MACMILLAN R
(2020)
The third sector in a strategically selective landscape - the case of commissioning public services
in Journal of Social Policy
Macmillan R
(2018)
Understanding the dynamics of voluntary action - a relational account
| Description | The research has concluded with three interrelated sets of findings. First, quantitative data analysis associated with the study suggests a surprising amount of stability in the trajectories of third sector resources over time. At the same time, however, qualitative data analysis highlights the considerable turbulence which is felt within organisations even when their income levels appear relatively stable. This is evidenced and manifests in at least three ways: the amount of work, restless attention and effort required to stay 'stable', to maintain funding and activity levels in order to meet demand; the considerable amount of churn, of both projects and staff; and the considerable shifts in the role and position of organisations, what services are provided, how they are provided, who they are provided to, and indeed who they are provided by - all of which may be hidden within such long term quantitative trend data. Second, we have identified two dominant narratives of change in voluntary action - 'necessity and transition' (i.e. organisations 'need' to change) and 'jeopardy and loss' (i.e. organisations are at risk from change) - both of which tend to assume that voluntary organisations react fairly passively to external environmental factors. Our findings challenge these dominant narratives by highlighting the significance of both context (external environment; structure) and conduct (internal factors; agency) in shaping change. Our findings highlight different contextual factors as particularly significant to voluntary organisations, but also the ways in which the context is both variably understood by organisations and variably impacting upon them. It has also highlighted some of the different tactics that organisations have adopted as they seek to navigate that environment - how their conduct is both influenced by and in turn influences the context in which they operate. Context and conduct are fundamentally intertwined: our research emphasises the importance of the interpretive space in between external context and internal developments. This is drawn together in a framework for understanding 'change in the making', involving three parallel processes: interpretive work to understand the changing internal and external contexts in which they are operating; situating and ordering these understandings temporally (recalling the past, encountering an ongoing present and imagining futures); and by translating these understandings into more or less workable organisational reform projects. Through these processes, actors negotiate, contest and navigate their way through dynamic and uncertain landscapes/fields. Third, the interplay between context and conduct has been a particular feature of the experiences of third sector organisations in the commissioning of services, by local authorities, for example. The research contributes to debates on the third sector's engagement in the commissioning environment by moving beyond cross-sectional studies, which tend to be framed by new public management approaches, to provide a more nuanced longitudinal understanding of how third sector organisations are navigating a strategically selective commissioning environment. While our findings do not deny the challenges that many third sector organisations face in what is an increasingly complex commissioning landscape, they provide new insights into the ways in which third sector organisations are acting strategically to navigate and shape commissioning processes. |
| Exploitation Route | As outlined in our response to the section on "narrative impact", we know that organisations are already using our findings to reflect on current changes in the voluntary sector and their implications for their own organisational development. This has become more acute and necessary during the upheaval caused by COVID-19, and reflected in our ongoing dissemination and engagement work. At a time when our research tells us that organisations increasingly struggle to find the time to reflect - to make sense of the environment and about the changes that they are experiencing and contributing to - providing opportunities to do so has been reported by participants as being particularly valuable. We are aware, for example, of how useful organisations have found presentations based on our work to important inquiries such as the 2019 Civil Society Futures inquiry, chaired by Julia Unwin. One such presentation was designed as a conversation starter on dilemmas of governance for third sector organisations. The presentation stimulated lively debate and was well received, as demonstrated in the following quotes from participants: "Your opening presentation was brilliantly pitched to inform, shape and provoke thinking across the afternoon, but also much more widely. It's certainly a resource I will refer back to many times and I am sure that everyone else who came will too so thank you for being so generous in allowing us to use and share it beyond this initial conversation" and "thank you again for providing such a well-judged and thought provoking opening to the conversation. I was particularly struck by your reminders that the governance narrative could be a distraction which lets the powerful off the hook and civil society has a valuable role in helping repair a torn or fraying society." Moreover, the way the research findings have been used to open up spaces for reflection is illustrated in the following quotation from BVSC, with whom we have been working to share learning from the study with local voluntary and community organisations: "The academic knowledge and expertise that [the study has] imparted has been hugely valuable and has facilitated some fascinating discussions and reflections. Participants have really welcomed the opportunity to hear about the research, but also to have the chance to reflect on what this means for them as individuals and in their organisations". this is but one example of the kind of enthusiastic feedback the work has generated. in the final stages of the project we have been working, as we planned, to develop activities and resources which can be used by third sector organisations. One example is an event run for voluntary organisations in Greater Manchester in February 2020 where we shared learning from different strands of the project and engaged organisations in discussion of the implications of our findings for them. Subsequently, despite Covid and lockdown, we continued to run several online events reflecting on themes of organisational change and leadership, and we know these too were highly valued. |
| Sectors | Communities and Social Services/Policy,Education,Government, Democracy and Justice,Other |
| URL | https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/generic/tsrc/research/below-the-radar/change-in-the-making.aspx |
| Description | The insights generated by this project, which itself builds upon studies commenced over a decade ago, have enabled the research team to engage authoritatively with organisations, policymakers and stakeholders who share our concerns with the resilience of voluntary action. In recent years the proliferation of inquiries in this space have drawn on the insights generated by this team; further funding has been generated; and publications continue to emerge including regular contributions to the "trade press" on, for example, post-Covid strategy for the voluntary sector. A good index of whether a piece of research has had impact is simply whether or not the researchers receive unsolicited requests from non-academic partners. Whether it be the influential inquiry into voluntary action commissioned by PM Johnson and led by Danny Kruger MP, foundation-sponsored inquiries such as the Law Family Commission on civil society, or initiatives by government and regulators on the evidence base for voluntary (DCMS, Charity Commission), the team's involvement in this project has meant that they have been extremely well-placed to contribute to policy debate. The research is generating significant impacts by challenging some of the dominant narratives regarding change in voluntary action. In particular, our findings relating to the ways in which organisations shape, as well as being shaped by, change have been encouraging voluntary organisations/leaders to think about their own agency and to be more confident in their interactions. The opportunities that the study has provided for organisations and individuals to reflect upon change within the voluntary sector have been found to be impactful. These include the spaces for reflection that are created by the research process itself - for the organisations most closely involved in the case studies but also the wider set of interviewees - but also for a broader range of voluntary sector practitioners and policy makers through mechanisms such as our advisory group, sounding board, workshops and presentations (as detailed in the engagement section). At a time when our research tells us that organisations increasingly struggle to find the time to reflect - to make sense of the environment and about the changes that they are experiencing and contributing to - providing opportunities to do so has been reported by participants as being particularly valuable. This was the case prior to COVID-19; it has become even more so during the pandemic. As a result, project team members have been engaged in extensive discussions with stakeholders at various levels, including within government, thinktanks, high-level voluntary organisations, and others. Of particular note is the partnership that we have developed with BVSC (Birmingham Voluntary Service Council), whereby we have co-designed a series of (ongoing) activities including spaces for reflection and leadership development workshops within which the research findings are used as springboards for wider discussions amongst participants. These pivoted as the pandemic hit, moving online and focusing specifically on some of the changes voluntary organisations/leaders were experiencing as they responded to COVID-19, giving participants the space and time to reflect on an extraordinary level of change and adjustment within the voluntary and community sector, particularly in regard to the relationships between the voluntary sector and the state. As one person reflected: 'Given the considerable challenges being faced by our communities and the sector, this time is so important - as is the opportunity for continuous learning and development informed by research'. Through this partnership, the research has also had a more direct, instrumental impact on BVSC itself: building its capacity to undertake, assimilate and utilise research evidence, and enabling it to 'bridge the gap between academic research and its practical application' (as they put it) for its members. This partnership will continue beyond the research funding period, with a commitment made to co-facilitate an ongoing series of activities for voluntary and community organisations across Birmingham and beyond. Similarly, we have developed a partnership with Voluntary Impact Northamptonshire which has shaped its establishment of a voluntary sector assembly, strengthening the voice of voluntary sector organisations within the locality. At a time when our research tells us that organisations increasingly struggle to find the time to reflect - to make sense of the environment and about the changes that they are experiencing and contributing to - providing opportunities to do so has been reported by participants as being particularly valuable. The impact of this work is not narrowly instrumental - in the sense of providing ready-made and applicable lessons for practice - but its findings are now being translated into leadership development courses in various ways. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2010 |
| Sector | Communities and Social Services/Policy,Government, Democracy and Justice |
| Impact Types | Societal,Policy & public services |
| Description | Discussions with Charity Commission regarding uses of their data for research purposers |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Description | Discussions with DCMS regarding the evidence base on nonprofit organisations and voluntary action |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Description | Meetings with the Civil Society and Youth team from DCMS - 16th March 2021 |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Description | Meetings with the Civil Society and Youth team from DCMS - 8th June 2021 |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Description | Members of advisory group on 're-balancing relationships' within commissioning, convened by NCVO |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Description | Participant within a round table discussion organised by the National Council of Voluntary Organisations to advise on the development of their policy position and guidance on volunteering in public services |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Description | Participation in virtual private roundtable discussion with Labour frontbenchers on community well-being |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Description | Supporting the development of a leadership development programme for third sector organisations |
| Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Description | discussions with inquiries into future of civil society - Law Family Commission, led by Pro Bono Economics. Discussions relate to relevance of our evidence base to their ongoing analyses of current state and future prospects of civil society organisations |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Description | Volunteering: A family affair? (Funded by a consortium of funders, including the one listed below) |
| Amount | £55,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Sport England |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2019 |
| End | 04/2020 |
| Description | Partnership to third sector engagement in research and leadership development |
| Organisation | Birmingham Voluntary Service Council |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | The research team has contributed ideas, insights and support, working together with our partner to develop a programme of activities to engage third sector organisations with research and leadership development initiatives. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Our partner has contributed their time, ideas, expertise (e.g. in facilitation) and contacts in working with the research team to develop a programme of activities to engage third sector organisations with research and leadership development initiatives. |
| Impact | Together we have so far delivered ten workshops. The positive response to initial workshops has led to the establishment of an ongoing series of workshops which we jointly facilitate on a quarterly basis, providing a space for leaders from third sector organisations to reflect on their own experiences in light of wider research evidence and learning from each other. The workshops are building capacity within the voluntary sector, and are encouraging critical, reflexive thinking. The initiative has helped to build research and leadership development capacity within our partner organisation, and helped to strengthen relationships with local third sector organisations. |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | Blog: Reflecting on change in the third sector through COVID-19 and beyond |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | A co-authored blog, sharing reflections on a series of workshops that the research team had facilitated in partnership with BVSC and on the themes that emerged through the discussions within those workshops. The blog was shared on both the University webpage and on our partners, ensuring reach across targeted audiences. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/tsrc/blog/reflecting-on-change-in-the-third-sector-through-cov... |
| Description | Change in the Making Advisory Group (a series of 5 meetings over the course of the project) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | Change in the making is guided by an Advisory Group comprising influential policy and research interested members of national third sector umbrella and support bodies (including NCVO, NAVCA, Locality, Children England, Cranfield Trust and the Advice Services Alliance) and charitable funders (including the Big Lottery Fund, London Funders and Barrow Cadbury Trust). The group has meet five times during the course of the study, with the last meeting held in February 2020. At each meeting the group have discussed key issues facing voluntary action, focused on issues and findings arising from the study and their implications, and provided guidance on the development of dissemination and impact activities. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017,2018,2019,2020 |
| Description | Change in the Making Advisory Group - meeting 1 (Sept 2016); meeting 2 (May 2017) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | Change in the making is guided by an Advisory Group comprising influential policy and research interested members of national third sector umbrella and support bodies (including NCVO, NAVCA, Locality, Children England, Cranfield Trust and the Advice Services Alliance) and charitable funders (including the Big Lottery Fund, London Funders and Barrow Cadbury Trust). The group meets five times during the course of the study through to March 2020. In two meetings to date, the group discusses key issues facing voluntary action, and then discusses issues and findings arising from the study, based on papers and presentations from members of the research team. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016,2017 |
| Description | Discussant within one day conference at Aston University - Charities and Social Enterprises - a day for researchers and practitioners to discuss current challenges and escalating change |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | During an event on charities and social enterprises, organised by Aston University, Angela Ellis Paine acted as a discussant to one of the sessions reflecting on insights from qualitative, longitudinal studies of change within voluntary organisations. The event brought together a mix of academics, practitioners and policy makers from across the voluntary sector to discuss a broad range of issues currently affecting voluntary organisations, including social change, the development of social enterprise, regulation and accountability. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Exploring change in the making |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | A blog post to inform readers about the study and to begin a conversation about change in the third sector. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/generic/tsrc/news/2017/06/exploring-change-in-the-making.aspx |
| Description | Facilitating workshop on formalisation of volunteering at National Volunteering Forum |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | Angela Ellis Paine co-facilitated (with Rob Jackson) a workshop entitled 'Is Volunteering too Formal?' at an event organised by the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) as part of the National Volunteering Forum on Friday 25 January 2019, which was used to launch new research by NCVO on the volunteer experience. During the workshop approximately 25 participants - mainly volunteer managers from a diverse range of voluntary and public sector organisations - discussed what research and practice tell us about the formalisation of volunteering and what this might mean for volunteer management, for individual volunteers, and for the contribution of volunteering to society. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Hosting and facilitating seminar on Collaborative Commissioning |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The study team organised and facilitated a seminar on Collaborative Commission, stimulated by the findings of the Change in the Making study. The seminar included presentations from various academic and practitioner led research studies on collaborative commissioning. The audience was made up of approximately 40 voluntary sector practitioners, researchers and funders. The presentations stimulated considerable debate. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Hosting seminar on voluntary sector leadership |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | As part of the Change in the Making study, and coinciding with our project Advisory Group, we hosted a seminar on third sector leadership. The seminar was delivered by James Rees of the Centre for Voluntary Sector Leadership at the OU and chaired by John Mohan. It focused on issues of leadership within the third sector - definitions, challenges and questions of distinction - and provided participants with information about resources available for third sector leadership development. The topic was selected as it is has been highlighted as a key theme emerging within the change in the making research study. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Invited chair of policy and practice conference on Third Sector Commissioning |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Rob Macmillan was the invited chair for the Third Sector Commissioning conference at the Hallam Conference Centre in London on 30th November 2018 organised by Westminster Insight. Rob gave some opening remarks to set the context for the day, drawing on the Change in the Making research, and closing reflections on key themes discussed, as well as intriducing speakers and chairing Q&A sessions. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://westminsterinsight.com/event/3210/Third_Sector_Commissioning_Conference |
| Description | Invited presentation at Volunteering Western Australia (Perth, WA) on 'The changing third sector in England, 2010-2019' (18-3-20) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | Invited presentation by Rob Macmillan to leaders of state volunteering peak bodies in Australia, at Volunteering Western Australia (Perth, WA) on 18-3-20 on the theme of 'The changing third sector in England, 2010-2019. The presentation was based on the findings from Change in the Making. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | Invited presentation to Oxford University GO-Lab on 'Making public service markets and the role of the third sector' (23-10-19) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Invited presentation and facilitated discussion by Rob Macmillan on 23-10-19 to the journal/discussion group of the Oxford University (Blavatnik School of Government) GO-Lab, on the theme of making public service markets, drawing on longitudinal evidence from Change in the Making |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Invited presentation to academic researchers at Curtin University (Perth, WA) on 'Understanding voluntary action: a relational approach' (20-3-20) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Invited seminar by Rob Macmillan to academic researchers at Curtin University (Perth, WA) on 20-3-20 on the theme of 'Understanding voluntary action: a relational approach'. The presentation and discussion was based on Change in the Making |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | Invited presentation to third sector practitioners |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Rob Macmillan and Angela Ellis Paine presentation to the Citizens Advice Research and campaigns forum, Birmingham, 20th September 2018, entitled "Stick to your knitting? Citizens Advice and local influence". The audience consisted of members of local Citizens Advice organisations in the West Midlands region who are responsible for campaigns and policy work. The presentation was followed by Q&A and debate on the context for campaigning work through Citizens Advice. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Invited presentation to third sector practitioners |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Rob Macmillan gave the opening presentation, entitled "The 'third sector' on the defensive?" at the one day 'Prometheus 2018 Executive Leadership for the Third Sector' conference held by Manchester Business School on 1st November 2018. The interactive presentation was followed by Q&A and feedback from roundtable discussions on key issues facing the third sector. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Launch event (2019) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | Launching of the 2019 edition of the UK Civil Society Almanac (19 June 2019) |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://blogs.ncvo.org.uk/2019/06/19/uk-civil-society-almanac-2019-the-latest-data-on-the-voluntary-... |
| Description | Membership by Rob Macmillan of the IPPR North Future of Civil Society in the North Advisory Group |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | Rob Macmillan was a member of the IPPR North Advisory Group for its three-year research programme on 'The Future of Civil Society in the North'. The group met approximately three times per year to advise on and guide the programme, discuss research ideas and projects, and comment on findings. The group mainly consists of influential practitioners from third sector organisations in the north of England. The group has provided an opportunity to feed in ideas and reflections from the 'Change in the Making' study as it progresses. It concluded with a final meeting to discuss future research priorities in November 2018. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016,2017,2018 |
| URL | https://www.ippr.org/research/major-programmes/the-future-of-civil-society-north/ |
| Description | Membership of Standing Conference for Advice Research and Evaluation |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Participating in a working group to discuss research and evaluation on legal and advice services particularly in the third sector. Sharing information about Change in the Making research study and contributing to discussions on existing and future research possibilities. The group is convened by a national third sector umbrella organisation. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016,2017 |
| Description | NCVO Webinar - How charity sector trends can inform your next board strategy (Slideshare), 2019 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Webinar |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.slideshare.net/NCVO/ncvo-webinar-how-charity-sector-trends-can-inform-your-next-board-st... |
| Description | NCVO webinar board 116 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | NCVO webinar: how charity sector trends can inform your next board strategy |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ncvo+webinar+board+-+116 |
| Description | One day conference- Ten Years of Change in the Voluntary Sector: Exploring Research Findings in a Greater Manchester Context |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | The conference brought together 40 practitioners and researchers from the voluntary sector. The aim was to provide a space for reflection, discussion and networking, within the context of challenging times for many in the voluntary sector, with organisations having to work ever harder to navigate a rapidly changing environment. The day was structured around a series of presentations associated with the research study, from national and local voluntary sector leaders as well as research team members. These were followed by a mix of round table and whole room discussions, within which the participants were encouraged to reflect on the implications of what they had heard for their own learning and practice. The event was positively evaluated, including with a notable increase reported in levels of understanding of change in the voluntary sector. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | One day conference: Continuity and change in an era of instability: developing a shared agenda for voluntary action research and practice - presentations and workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | Approximately 100 voluntary sector academic, practitioners and policy makers attended this one day event, organised by TSRC. Three of the five plenary presentations and one of the workshops drew on findings from the Change in the Making project. Conference participants discussed the research findings and their implications, while also sharing thoughts on a future agenda for third sector research and practice. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | One day conference: Continuity and change in an era of instability: presentation |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | Rob Macmillan gave a lightning presentation entitled 'Third sector policy and infrastructure: unsettlement, de-coupling and transition' at this one day event on 14-2-19, organised by TSRC to explore issues of 'Change and continuity' in the third sector, attended by approximately 100 voluntary sector academic, practitioners and policy makers. Conference participants discussed the research findings and their implications in roundtables, while also sharing thoughts on a future agenda for third sector research and practice. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Online roundtable discussion, exploring volunteering and the state |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | Roundtable discussion bringing together academics and voluntary sector practitioners and activists to discuss relationships between volunteering and the state |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Online workshop for third sector leaders |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | Third sector leaders participated in an online workshop, organised and facilitated by Rob Macmillan and Angela Ellis Paine, in partnership with BVCS. Workshop title: Space to think: A forum for third sector leaders in Birmingham' session on 'Community Wealth Building' . |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Online workshop for third sector leaders |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | Facilitated online workshop focusing on 'Relationships within the VCFSE Sector'. Third sector leaders coming together to reflect upon implications of research for their own practice. Organised and facilitated by Angela Ellis Paine and Rob Macmillian, in partnership with BVCS. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Online workshop for third sector practitioners: co-production in research |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | Chairing and facilitating an online workshop, for third sector practitioners exploring 'participatory research in social care' Organised by BVCS and Universities of Birmingham. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Online workshop for university engagement leads, academics and civil society organisations |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Online workshop bringing together University engagement leads, academics, and civil society organisations to discuss building meaningful relationships between Universities and civil society organisations |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019,2022 |
| Description | Online workshop: Leadership development: Navigating change in the third sector -session one: What change looks like and how it happens' (15.12.20) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | Working in partnership with BVSC, this online workshop was the first of two pilot leadership development sessions focusing on change within the third sector. The workshop helped build leadership capabilities within the third sector, whilst also acted as a pilot for the development of a wider leadership development programme for third sector organisations in the area to be led by our partner organisation. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | Online workshop: Leadership development: Navigating change in the third sector -session two: Influencing change' (16.12.20) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | Working in partnership with BVSC, this online workshop was the second of two pilot leadership development sessions focusing on change within the third sector. The workshop helped build leadership capabilities within the third sector, whilst also acted as a pilot for the development of a wider leadership development programme for third sector organisations in the area to be led by our partner organisation. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | Online workshop: Levelling up: what role for the voluntary and community sector? 15 Dec 2021 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | Third sector leaders from across Birmingham came together for a 'space to think' workshop, organised and facilitated by the research team in partnership with Birmingham Voluntary Sector Council. The workshop provided a space for reflection, focused around the topic of changing needs within communities. Research findings were shared as a way to stimulate reflection and debate. This was a highly interactive session, with participants challenged to think in new ways about needs within their communities, and how they might respond to them. Participants talked about how the session had stimulated their thinking, and were keen to learn more. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Online workshop: Making sense of change in the voluntary sector: Insights from research findings in the context of COVID-19' (13.11.20) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | Working in partnership with Voluntary Impact Northamptonshire, the research team led a workshop on 'making sense of change within the third sector' for a group of third sector leaders in Northamptonshire as part of the launch of the Northamptonshire VCS Assembly. This provided an opportunity for third sector leaders to reflect on their own experiences of change during covid, within the context of wider evidence of change from national research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | Online workshop: Space to think: Changing needs: what do we know and how do we respond? 22 Sept 2021 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | Part of a series of online workshops, organised by the research team in partnership with Birmingham Voluntary Sector Council. The session used findings from research to stimulate discussion, reflection, sharing of experience and learning. It began with a brief presentation based on recent research evidence, provided to stimulate discussion, with an emphasis will be on group based participation, discussion, and a sharing of experiences and learning. There was a high level of reflection and debate throughout the workshop. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Online workshop: Time to think: Reflecting on (more) change during COVID-19 (11.08.20) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | Leaders from voluntary sector organisations across the region, attended an online workshop which provided a space for reflection on change during COVID-19. With research evidence used to frame the discussion, participants reflected on their own experiences of how their own organisations had changed in response to COVID, how relationships amongst voluntary organisations had changed, and how relationships between voluntary organisations and statutory organisations had changed. Participants valued the opportunity that the workshop provided to learn from the research and from each other. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | Online workshop: Time to think: Reflecting on change during COVID-19 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | Leaders from approximately 15 regionally based third sector organisations attended an online workshop, which provided a space to reflect on change before and during covid-19. Using research findings to stimulate discussion, the workshop enabled third sector leaders to reflect on their own experiences of change, offered a framework to help them make sense of change, and led to peer-support and learning amongst participants. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | Online workshop: Time to think: Reflecting on change during COVID-19 amongst thematic leads' (09.07.20 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | As part of Birmingham's response to COVID-19, networks of third sector organisations have joined together under thematic leads. Working in partnership with the key local third sector infrastructure body, the study team facilitated an online workshop with those thematic leads. Framed by insights from the research, the workshop provided a space for reflection amongst third sector leaders and enabled them to place their own experiences of change during COVID within the context of wider evidence. Participations reported valuing the opportunity to step back and reflect on the current context, learning from the research evidence and from each other. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/tsrc/blog/reflecting-on-change-in-the-third-sector-through-cov... |
| Description | Online workshop: space to think: The rise of community: how to realise community power? June 16, 2021 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | Part of a series of workshops, offering space for reflection for voluntary sectors leaders across Birmingham. Brief presentation of research findings sparked considerable reflection and debate. Participants talked about an increased awareness of the issues, and questioning of existing assumptions |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Participation in Pro Bono Association network meetings |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | Rob Macmillan and Angela Ellis Paine have been participating within a network of organisations (predominantly third sector) involved in the field of Pro Bono / skills-based volunteering. They have attended regular meetings, sharing findings from research and reflections on research gaps and approaches, to help shape the network's thinking and activities. This has contributed to considerable discussion, new understandings, and the potential for future collaborations. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2022 |
| Description | Participation in Vision for Volunteering workshop on 'Community Resilience', hosted by NCVO, NAVCA and Volunteering Matters |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | Inputting into the development of a Vision for Volunteering, as part of a wider exercise being undertaken by a collaboration of third sector organisations. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Plenary panel speaker on 'Rallying Together or Passing the Buck? Exploring new collaborative approaches to public service delivery' at Government Outcomes Lab annual conference 'In pursuit of social outcomes', Oxford University, 6-9-19 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Invited to provide a third sector research perspective on a plenary panel called 'Rallying Together or Passing the Buck? Exploring new collaborative approaches to public service delivery', chaired by Jo Blundell, GO Lab, with other panellists (Adam Lent, New Local Government Network; Gary Wallace, Plymouth City Council & GO Lab Fellow of Practice; Robert Pollock, Social Finance & GO Lab Fellow of Practice; Clare FitzGerald, Government Outcomes Lab). The panel was live streamed/recorded and led to a good discussion of the challenges around commissioning and the emergence of new approaches. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://golab.bsg.ox.ac.uk/community/events/social-outcomes-conference-2019/ |
| Description | Presentation by Angela Ellis Paine to the TSRC's Below the Radar Reference Group |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | Presentation on the change in the making project to the Third Sector Research Centre's Below the Radar Reference Group. Presentation to inform discussion within the group about change in the voluntary and about research on small voluntary and community organisations. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Presentation by Rob Macmillan at Civil Society Futures Inquiry conversation in Birmingham |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | Presentation on charity governance (Reimagining Governance) at an event hosted on 7 Dec 2017 by the Association of Chairs and Anthony Collins Solicitors for the national 2-year Civil Society Futures Inquiry chaired by Julia Unwin. Approximately 25 people attended the event. The presentation was designed as a conversation starter on dilemmas of governance for third sector organisations. The presentation stimulated lively debate and was well received, as demonstrated in the following quotes from participants: "Your opening presentation was brilliantly pitched to inform, shape and provoke thinking across the afternoon, but also much more widely. It's certainly a resource I will refer back to many times and I am sure that everyone else who came will too so thank you for being so generous in allowing us to use and share it beyond this initial conversation" and "thank you again for providing such a well judged and thought provoking opening to the conversation. I was particularly struck by your reminders that the governance narrative could be a distraction which lets the powerful off the hook and civil society has a valuable role in helping repair a torn or fraying society." |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | https://civilsocietyfutures.org/events/ |
| Description | Presentation by Rob Macmillan to the two-day Prometheus Executive Leadership for the Third Sector residential event held by Manchester Business School |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | Manchester Business School run an annual two-day third sector leadership residential event called 'Prometheus', attracting each year between 50 and 80 managers and executives from national, regional and local third sector organisations. Rob Macmillan has been invited to give the opening day 2 presentation since 2015, using material initially from 'Real Times' (the predecessor to Change in the Making') and subsequently from 'Change in the Making'. The 2017 session was entitled 'The Canary in the Coalmine: the politics of voluntary and community action' and involved a presentation with break-out time for roundtable discussion amongst approximately 55 participants. Discussion focussed on (a) the two narratives of the third sector used to inform 'Change in the Making' (jeopardy and loss, adaptation and transition) - 'are they familiar?' 'are they used in discussions in and around your organisation?' 'do you find yourself using them?' and 'what's missing?' and (b) what's the point of voluntary action? - 'what does your organisation offer society?' 'what can and do you bring to the table?' and 'what can you contribute?'. Organisers of the event report that the presentation and chance for discussion is very well received, hence the re-invitations to present each year. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | https://www.mbs.ac.uk/media/ambs/content-assets/documents/executive-education/prometheus-2017-progra... |
| Description | Presentation within Health Education England event on the Future of Volunteering |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Many voluntary and public sector organisations attended the two-day conference organised by Health Education England, within which a presentation was given as part of a debate on the future of volunteering. This stimulated thinking amongst participants on recent developments in volunteering, and what this might mean for its future. The presentation sparked questions and discussion both across the panel and amongst participants. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Public lecture: He waka eke noa: are we all in this together? Government-voluntary sector relations in contemporary Britain |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Distinguished visiting lecture, given as part of a visit to the University of Auckland under the auspices of the Seelye Fellowships, in 2020. The visit was truncated by Covid-19 and so it was recorded instead: https://www.policycommons.ac.nz/2020/02/25/public-lecture-bigging-up-society-politics-policy-and-evidence-in-the-british-voluntary-sector/ |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.policycommons.ac.nz/2020/02/25/public-lecture-bigging-up-society-politics-policy-and-evi... |
| Description | Social Enterprise |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Understand what it takes to launch and run a sustainable social enterprise with this flexible program of online courses from Middlesex University Business School. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://www.futurelearn.com/programs/social-enterprise |
| Description | Speaker at SCARE (Standing Conference on Advice Research and Evaluation) Annual Meeting 2019: Mapping Need, Mapping Provision, Advice Services Alliance, London, 29-11-19 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Invited speaker at the Advice Services Alliance's SCARE (Standing Conference on Advice Research and Evaluation) Annual Meeting 2019, on 'Mapping Need, Mapping Provision', 29-11-19, telling the recent case story of 'Birch' (advice centre case study in 'Change in the Making'). Lots of interest from the audience reflected in an extended Q&A session. The involvement has led to further work, notably the proposal for a themed issue of an academic journal (Voluntary Sector Review) on voluntary sector advice services, and idea for a further research proposal. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| URL | https://asauk.org.uk/scare-meeting-november-2019/ |
| Description | Talk: 'Using a qualitative longitudinal study design in voluntary sector research' (20.11.20) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | An invited talk on qualitative longitudinal study designs within voluntary sector research for the GMCVO network meeting. Building research capacity within the voluntary sector. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | Third Sector Commissioning conference, 22-5-19 - panel speaker on Key Challenges facing the Third Sector |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Invited to speak on a panel on 'Key Challenges facing the Third Sector' with three other participants (one from a charitable foundation, two frolm national third sector organisations), to cover: • Understanding how to overcome challenges facing the third sector for both commissioners and the service users • Discussing examples of best practice and recognising positive contributions to the sector • Exploring whether commissioning can survive or be further consumed by procurement and if there can be a move away from competitive tendering and contracting • Using the VCSE sector as a strategic voice and as advocacy for service users • Developing relational partnerships between organisations, commissioners, and service users • Debating the potential impact of Brexit on commissioning procedures The panel provoked a lively debate as part of a wider conference discussion on Third Sector Commissioning. Positive feedback was received from the conference organisers: Dear Rob, On behalf of Westminster Insight, I would like to thank you for your valuable contribution to our Third Sector Commissioning conference. The time and effort you put into your contribution was of great value to delegates and is much appreciated. We received excellent feedback for the event on the day, and hope that you found the experience useful and enjoyable too. Once we have collated all the questionnaires I will send you a copy of the summary for your reference. Once again, thank you for your involvement in our conference. It was a real pleasure to meet you. Please let me know if you have any feedback about the event: I hope that we will see you again in the very near future. Kind regards, Amy Amy Roberts Senior Events Coordinator Westminster Insight |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Volunteer Management Conference 2019 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | Approximately 300 volunteer managers, from a broad range of voluntary and public sector organisations attended a one day conference on Volunteer Management, organised by Inside Government. The day involved a range of plenary sessions, panels and workshops on different aspects of volunteer management. Angela Ellis Paine chaired the day. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Volunteering and covid-19 evidence group |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | AEP worked in partnership with colleagues at University of East Anglia and the National Council of Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) to establish an 'evidence group' which brought together evidence on volunteering, both during covid and from previous crises, to help inform the current volunteering response. The evidence group fed directly into regular (initially bi-weekly, subsequently monthly) meetings of national and local volunteering infrastructure bodies convened by NCVO. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020,2021 |
| URL | https://www.ncvo.org.uk/policy-and-research/volunteering-policy/research |
| Description | Workshop - Time to think: Navigating change in third sector Session one: How change happens in the third sector |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The Change in the Making research team worked in partnership with the Birmingham Voluntary Service Council (BVSC) to bring together a group of 13 voluntary sector leaders from the region, for the first of three sessions exploring change in the third sector. The aim of the session was to provide a space for third sector leaders to network, reflect and learn, using findings from the research to stimulate discussion. The first session focused on 'how change happens in the third sector'. The research findings stimulated considerable debate and reflection, with participants identifying learning and actions that they were going to take away and implement within their organisations. We have had feedback from participants since the session to suggest it has already had some impact - for one, it had stimulated the organisation of an away day within their organisation to bring stakeholders together to work on a long term strategy. They said: "it has very much had an impact for me". The development of the partnership with BVSC has also been significant. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | invited speaker at Volunteering Western Australia, Perth, WA on 'Peak work: Dilemmas in organising support for volunteering and the voluntary sector', 11-3-20 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | Rob Macmillan was invited to speak at Volunteering Western Australia (Perth, WA) to a selected group of practitioners from voluntary and community organisations in Western Australia. The title of the talk was 'Peak work: Dilemmas in organising support for volunteering and the voluntary sector', and focused on the 'dis/organisation' of infrastructure/peak bodies in England, drawing evidence from Change in the Making case studies |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | presentation at conference of charity trustees and investment managers |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | Presentation at Birmingham Charities conference organised by an investment management firm which manages considerable sums of money for charities mainly in the West Midlands. The theme of the conference was about the changing environment for charities and so the presentation, reflecting on themes and results from several years of TSRC's work, concentrated on elements of change and continuity in the funding environment. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | presentation at conference of regional and local voluntary organisations |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | Presentation at conference of Sandwell Community Hubs, organised by a regional infrastructure body for the voluntary sector in the west Midlands. The theme of the presentation concerned the role of the third sector sector in the regeneration of deprived neighbourhoods and communities. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | presentation at conference of third sector organisations |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | Presentation of overview of key findings on change and continuity in the third sector at TSRC tenth anniversary conference |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |