Blog by Amy Sanders and Jurgen Grotz On Tuesday, 25th June 2024 the Voluntary Sector Studies Network, Volunteer Now, NICVA, ARK, Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University jointly hosted a symposium in Belfast to explore pathways to collaborating on voluntary and community sector research in Northern Ireland. We recognised that research within and […]
Blog
Reflections of a trustee by Jon Dean
Being a VSSN Trustee Jon Dean, Sheffield Hallam University If you are interested in becoming a Trustee of VSSN, or joining the Voluntary Sector Review Editorial Board, please click here. Any issues, please email execofficer@vssn.org.uk. When I applied to become a Trustee of the VSSN, and then later volunteered to Chair the organisation, I did […]
6 Insights on Youth Volunteering for International Youth Day
By Stephen Craker – Chief Executive, Communities 1st As the world comes together to observe International Youth Day, the spotlight is cast on the profound significance of engaging young individuals in shaping a brighter future. This day serves as a call to recognise and address the unique challenges and opportunities faced by young people. […]
Wiserd, Wilsons and Welsh cakes
Sophie and Susannah went along to a Voluntary Sector Studies Network (VSSN) conference in Aberystwyth last week at the National Library of Wales. Wiserd is the Wales Institute of Social and Economic Research and Data, which organised the conference alongside the VSSN. The topic of conversation was “The role of community and voluntary organisations in […]
VSSN’s Strategic Review 2023
Every so often, the Voluntary Sector Studies Network’s Trustee Board undertakes a review of our organisation’s strategy. This includes going back to first principles: looking at our charitable objectives and assessing how best to meet them, to serve our members and the wider voluntary sector and associated research communities. At the start of 2023, with […]
6 things you need to know about small charities
At the start of Small Charity Week, Jon Dean provides an overview of key pieces of research outlining the value small charities and key issues affecting them. As Small Charity Week starts, it is important to think about the specific contribution that small charities make to communities throughout the UK and across the world. Small […]
Event report: Learning from Failure – Airing our Dirty Laundry
Failure is an inevitable aspect of human experience, but in a social environment that demands success, it tends to be swept under the carpet and forgotten, along with the opportunity to learn from our mistakes. Is it possible to create a space where we can openly share stories of our failures and what we have […]
Voluntary sector data gap to be plugged by new national observatory
By Daniel King Data poverty has been widely identified as a core weakness for the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector. Whilst there is good work going on, ultimately data is disjointed, fragmented and sporadic. This has key implications, where it is argued that “the low quality of data on the sector is hampering […]
Steering Group statement on equality, diversity and inclusion.
VSSN Steering Group statement on equality, diversity and inclusion in our work and voluntary sector research In recent years there has been an increased focus on failures within the voluntary sector to provide a space that is equally accessible for all, free of discrimination, and inclusive of people from different backgrounds. Several research reports into […]
Learning experiences of doing small grant events during Covid, by Philippa Davies
I am a PhD researcher at Cardiff University and WISERD and I was lucky to receive a VSSN development grant in 2020. I applied for the grant to disseminate the findings of my study to the policy sector which was the focus of my study; women leaders’ experience in Welsh sport. My results included women […]
