In September 2016, the Third Sector Trends study will be formally launched across the North of England. We need to hear from all types of voluntary and community organisations and social enterprises, whether large or small, thriving, struggling or going on as normal. The study will take place in each northern region in three separate surveys:

In North East England (funded by the Community Foundation for Tyne & Wear and Northumberland). Link to the survey questionnaire:  https://durham.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/third-sector-trends-in-north-east-england-2016

In Yorkshire and the Humber (funded by Joseph Rowntree Foundation); Link to the survey questionnaire: https://durham.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/third-sector-trends-in-yorkshire-and-the-humber-2016

In North West England* (funded by IPPR\North and Garfield Weston); Link to the survey questionnaire: https://durham.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/third-sector-trends-in-north-west-england-2016

*In Greater Manchester, the study started in July 2016 to complement a separate study by a consortium of local third sector development agencies.

We will be able to tell you what is happening, in big picture terms, in the sector in your area, region and across Northern England?

These are just a few of the issues the Third Sector Trends study can explore

• We can make well evidenced estimates on the changing shape, size and structure of the sector as a whole (comparing with previous TST data and from a major national government study in 2010 on each local authority area).
• We can also produce data reports for any local authority area, sub region or county so you can see what is happening in the area your Community Foundation serves.
• We can explore the different experiences, practices and expectations of organisations by size, purpose, geographical location, legal form, and so on – this will help funders identify the kinds of organisations which may be able to benefit most from grants.
• We can make good estimates of the level of employment and volunteering in the sector and determine where employment or volunteering is growing or contracting.
• We can show which areas of beneficiary need are doing well or experiencing difficulties.
• We can calculate the economic value of the sector using robust estimates and also monetise the value of volunteering.

We need third sector, public sector and private sector organisations to encourage voluntary organisations, community groups and social enterprises to respond to this major study. It is vital that as many organisations and groups as possible find out about the study so that they have a chance to respond – so we need you to tell them about it in newsletters and to send links to the survey through by email to your address lists.

Each study will result in a separate regional report together with one report, published by IPPR\North for the whole Northern Region.

If you would like to know more about the study, please contact Professor Tony Chapman, St Chad’s College, Durham University: tony.chapman@durham.ac.uk