Measuring Impact - Nicva
Measuring Impact - Nicva
Measuring Impact - Nicva
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18 <strong>Measuring</strong> <strong>Impact</strong> – Case-studies of impact assessment<br />
Identifying and categorising<br />
the sector’s impact<br />
4<br />
Bryan Collis,WCVA<br />
The first study looks at the dimensions of the impact of voluntary and community sector<br />
organisations in Wales, as reported by people from those organisations. Using a questionnaire-based<br />
method, the study illustrates impact in relation to individuals, organisations,<br />
communities and society in general. Some common themes in the way outcomes or impacts<br />
were described were found.These themes indicate that a large part of the voluntary sector<br />
may be able to benefit from sharing good practice in measuring impact. Problems identified<br />
by the study include the lack of understanding of what impact is and how to enable people<br />
to describe negative impact.<br />
Introduction 4.1<br />
Many intermediary and umbrella organisations support and represent a diverse range of<br />
organisations. In doing so they are interested in the impact of their work and the wider, overall<br />
impact of the voluntary sector in their area. With this in mind, the aims of the study were:<br />
• to identify self-reported impact of voluntary organisations in a geographical area;<br />
• to see if any patterns of impact were evident across the sector which might inform<br />
others who are interested in measuring their impact.<br />
The study was carried out using the resources that might be available to an intermediary<br />
body with no specific research capacity. Therefore, a questionnaire was used, as interviews<br />
were assumed to be too expensive. In total, 161 case-studies of organisations across Wales<br />
were completed. The case-studies were condensed into short descriptions (Garfield & Collis,<br />
2003) that act as concrete examples of the variety of impact of voluntary organisations and<br />
projects. These enable other organisations to compare their own situation with a range of<br />
different organisations to help them identify their likely impact.