The Value of Small
We are proud to fund in-depth research showcasing the distinctive contribution, value and experiences of small and medium-sized charities in England and Wales through the Value of Small Report
We are proud to fund in-depth research showcasing the distinctive contribution, value and experiences of small and medium-sized charities in England and Wales through the Value of Small Report
Click on the image below to download the report:
The report presents original research showing that small and local charities offer a range of economic and social benefits and play a vital role in their communities when addressing complex social issues across England and Wales.
The report was conducted by an independent research team from the Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research (CRESR) at Sheffield Hallam University; the Institute for Voluntary Action Research (IVAR) and the Centre for Voluntary Sector Leadership at the Open University.
The researchers immersed themselves in four local areas - Ealing, Bassetlaw, Salford and Wrexham – to carry-out in-depth studies of small and medium-sized charities (those with an income of £10k to £1m) tackling issues such as homelessness, unemployment and helping refugees to integrate. Over 18 months they analysed a range of evidence and spoke to more than 150 stakeholders to understand the distinctive contribution and value of smaller charities operating at a local level and the challenges they face.
The research findings show that smaller, local charities combine three distinctive features in how they support people and communities, which sets them apart from both public-sector providers and larger charities:
This combination of distinctive features in smaller charities is greater than the sum of their parts and offers additional benefits including: individual value for their clients, such as building confidence and self-esteem to help them prepare for and secure employment; economic value through charities buying goods and services locally and added value through recruiting more volunteers than larger charities and bringing in new funding from trusts and others which typically can triple the income they received from the public sector.
Alongside the full findings, you can also download reports for each of the case study areas below.
In-depth research into the distinctive contribution, value and experiences of small and medium-sized charities in Ealing.
By Leila Baker, Katie Turner
In-depth research into the distinctive contribution, value and experiences of small and medium-sized charities in Bassetlaw.
By James Rees, Vita Terry, Carol Jacklin-Jarvis / The Open University
In-depth research into the distinctive contribution, value and experiences of small and medium-sized charities in Salford.
By Tracey Coule, Beth Patmore, Ellen Bennet / Sheffield Hallam University
In-depth research into the distinctive contribution, value and experiences of small and medium-sized charities in Wrexham.
By Ellen Bennet, Elain Baty / Sheffield Hallam University
This leaflet makes the case for why local charities are important and what can be done to support them.
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Research by Social Enterprise UK, Trading For Good shows the important impact small to medium social enterprises are having on some of the poorest communities in the UK
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This report builds on the survey responses of 800 charities we support and outlines their challenges and opportunities in their own words.
Read more