Explore how the new VCSE Data and Intelligence Peer Learning Network is helping organisations overcome challenges and barriers while advancing their data capabilities in Sarah’s latest blog.

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Last year, over 300 people from the VCSE sector took part in a project funded by NHS Greater Manchester to understand the state of data and intelligence in the VCSE sector in Greater Manchester. Together we explored challenges and barriers and identified opportunities and actions for advancing data capabilities across the sector. VCSE staff with responsibility for collecting, managing and using data in their organisations told us that they can feel professionally isolated. We also found that organisations find it difficult to secure funding for them to develop the ways they use data and intelligence, and sometimes there is a lack of awareness of what is possible.

So, the VCSE Data and Intelligence Peer Learning Network was created! Our goal for this network is to inspire and motivate organisations to improve their approach to data, offer peer connection, skills development and an increased sense of community support.  

We held our first VCSE Data and Intelligence Peer Learning Network meeting on the 22 July 2024 at HOME Manchester, with attendees from VCSE organisations across Greater Manchester, all at varying points in their data maturity journey.

We started by thinking about how we can create a brave space, where we value and respect lived experience, appreciate different approaches to data and intelligence, share generously, work collaboratively, and use data as a means of benefiting the wider VCSE sector. A core principle of this network is that it belongs to us all – a space for new ideas, problem solving, and learning from each other.

The next task for the network was to collectively identify and agree what our priorities would be across four key thematic areas that emerged from the VCSE Data Maturity Report: Leadership, Analysis, Skills, and Tools. We asked everyone to work together in small groups to have discussions about the strengths, opportunities, challenges and barriers across the themes and write these thoughts onto post it notes. Then, once the groups had placed these around the room everyone used the well-known democratic process of sticking dots to the things that mattered the most to them! 

After a quick brew, we regrouped and unpicked our collective ambition. Here’s what you can expect us to cover in upcoming network meetings:

Leadership

 

Increasing the use of Open Data – identifying and learning from VCSE organisations that are experts in this practice.

 

Beyond KPIs- how can we challenge the use of crude Key Performance Indicators as a measure of success, to models which recognise the breadth of our impact?

Analysis

 

Sharing information and pooling resources to support better analysis- such as a shared data analyst function across organisations.

 

Making the most of qualitative data- learning from VCSE organisations that are experts in this practice.

Skills

 

How to approach data in smaller and / or less resourced VCSE organisations.

 

Unleashing Excel! Learning from VCSE organisations who are making the most of Excel.

Tools

 

Learning from organisations who use automated data capture, analysis and visualisation tools and platforms – how and who?

 

Real time data – how do we reflect our work and its impact in the here and now?

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If you think your VCSE organisation can contribute to a session on one of these priorities, get in touch! We’re looking for contributors who would like to present and shape the agenda of future sessions. If you’d like to get involved in advancing the role of data and intelligence in the VCSE sector across Greater Manchester, please get in touch with [email protected]

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