Professor Tony Chapman

This project, which ran from 2012-2013, funded by the Institute for Local Governance, examined the relationship between the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector (VCSE) and the public sector in Stockton on Tees.

Its purpose was to look at ways that successful relationships have developed over the prior four years and assess what strategies might usefully be put in place to embed and strengthen existing positive relationships.

Particular emphasis was placed on: the development of commissioning and procurement strategies; assessing the impact of public sector investment in the VCSE; and, working with local infrastructure organisations to build capacity in the community.

The final report is currently being used by Stockton Borough Council to develop its third sector strategy. Much of the learning gained from the project will be published in a report on its sister project in Northumberland which was also completed in 2013.

The report will be published in January 2014

Professors Fred Robinson and Ray Hudson with Ian Zass-Ogilvie

This project, supported by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, was about unlocking the potential of universities to support hard-pressed communities in difficult times. It aimed to encourage and challenge the universities to use their considerable resources to engage more fully and deeply with disadvantaged communities and respond to the issues facing them.

Such engagement can undoubtedly benefit universities as well as communities. A comprehensive questionnaire survey of all universities in the UK has been undertaken (85% return), followed by in-depth case studies of 30 universities. The research sought out good practice and identified barriers and opportunities.

The project was led by Fred Robinson, supported by Ian Zass-Ogilvie and Ray Hudson, the University’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor.

Professor Tony Chapman

This three year project was funded by the Department for Education ran from 2007-2011. The research involved an action-based research evaluation of the Youth Achievement Foundation programme which is was managed by UK Youth. The programme combined UK Youth’s Youth Achievement Award and an innovative approach to alternative education provision for young people by 7KS Enterprise College – an independent education provider. The final research report focused on the positive impact of the programme in terms of young people’s attendance, commitment to vocational training and pro-sociality.

Professor Tony Chapman

This collaborative project was led by Professor Tony Chapman, supported by Dr Peter van der Graaf, Dr Victoria Bell, Graeme Oram, CEO Five Lamps Organisation, Allison Agius, CEO Catalyst.

This project involved analysis of evaluation reports on Total Place pilots, funded by Regional Improvement and Efficiency Partnership and the Institute for Local Governance in 2010.

The analysis was used to inform a half day workshop on the third sector involvement in new place-based approaches to service delivery. Completed in 2009

Professor Tony Chapman, John Bateman (UK Youth), Diane Evans (National Youth Agency).

The Aiming High for Young People strategy set an ambitious goal to develop a skilled and confident workforce which can deliver the most effective practice to improve young people’s outcomes.

Government recognised that the third sector has an important role to play in the delivery of services to young people, but acknowledged that involving the Third Sector in meeting this agenda may present particular challenges.

This programme of research aimed to find out what challenges the third sector faced and make concrete proposals for the training and accreditation of the youth sector work force. The final report was submitted to CWDC in 2009.

Professor Tony Chapman

Commissioned by North Yorkshire Forum for Voluntary Organisations in 2007 to undertake a quantitative study of the voluntary and community sector (VCS).

The aim of the research was to replicate aspects of an earlier study on the VCS in North Yorkshire and City of York in 2001 by Leeds Metropolitan University to assess the extent to which the shape and structure of the sector has changed over the last seven years. The findings from the survey, which involved over 400 organisations was published in 2008.

Professor Fred Robinson

PRG members completed a scoping study for a programme of University engagement in community regeneration and renewal in County Durham and Tees Valley. This work, which relates to an innovative development of the University’s approach to outreach activity, was carried out for the University, with support from One North East. Implementation of the Phoenix Programme is now underway and Fred Robinson serves as an advisor. Completed in 2007

Professor Tony Chapman

Tony Chapman chaired a study group and provided research support funded by Institute for Ageing and Health, Wolfson Research Centre, Newcastle General Hospital.

The demographic ageing task group was asked to examine the following issues: the evidence base on demographic ageing in the North East; provide key indicators on demographic change 2004-2029; explore the social, economic, cultural and political consequences of demographic ageing; and provide a summary report on implications of demographic ageing for public policy.

The report was published in 2007 and can be accessed here: Report of the Years Ahead Demographic Ageing Task Group November 2007

Professor Tony Chapman

Tony Chapman led an evaluation of UK Youth’s Youth Achievement Awards in 2007, funded by The Drinkaware Trust and JP Morgan Philanthropy.

Youth Achievement Awards were introduced nationally in 1997 and are an activity-based approach to peer education. The awards were designed to help develop more effective participative practice by encouraging young people to take more responsibility in selecting, planning and leading activities that are based on their interests.

The final report, Small Steps and Giant Leaps, emphasised the importance of recognising the value of non-conventional educational practices, especially for young people who had been marginalised or excluded from conventional education. Completed in 2006

Fred Robinson, Ian Stone, Paul Braidford and Gordon Allison

Members of the Policy Research Group advised and supported the Cabinet Office (Office of the Third Sector) on the establishment of a £10m Third Sector Research Centre, producing the scoping document underpinning the process and sitting on the ESRC Commissioning Panel.

This followed PRG’s 2006 study for the Treasury on the growth of successful social enterprises, which examined how such organisations overcome problems they faced at each stage of growth.

Their research demonstrated that pursuit of growth involves few compromises for organisations, in either their social or environmental aims.