A Study on the Impact of Derby Third Sector Organisations
The project is funded by the University’s Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF). The intention is to stimulate knowledge exchange (KE) activity strands in 6 areas of academic focus, such as net zero carbon, data science, business, economic and social policy. The current project attempts to estimate methodologically the monetary contribution of the non-profit-sector in Derby to the local economy within the context of the volunteering data constraints and potential theoretical development.
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The KE-Impact Accelerator fund is designed to support activities that will help the academics to:
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Develop sustainable relationships with non-academic collaborators.
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Support innovative KE collaborations, especially where they could progress to other funding streams.
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Enhance and accelerate the impact of UoD research through knowledge exchange activities.
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Evidence and evaluate the impact of KE.
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READY?
SET
GO!
Mehdi is a Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader for the International Business Management. He teaches various UG modules and supervises PG students. Prior to joining the University of Derby, he worked at Edge Hill University, University of Chester and Glyndwr University as an academic staff.
Dr Mehdi Hasan, Principal Investigator
Mr Kevin Parkinson,
Co-investigator
Kevin Parkinson, CEO of First Steps ED, is committed to working with University of Derby, and Mehdi Hasan through the Knowledge Exchange Partnership to complete this evaluation and provides assurance that the charity resources and time commitment of our CEO will be made available to deliver upon this project’s aims and objectives.
First Steps ED is a leading eating disorder charity supporting people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds with all types of eating disorders across the Midlands and further afield. They directly support around 125 people each month which includes sufferers and carers through one-to-one and group therapeutic sessions, and psychoeducational support groups. A research informed and learning organisation they train over 1,000 professionals and degree students annually.
The charity works with the NHS and is ISO9001 accredited for Quality Management Systems and employ an ICT Managed Service Provider adhering to ISO27001 standards.
Dr Binsardi studied economics, mathematics, finance and marketing (BSc. Hons, MSc, MBA, MA). Subsequently, he obtained a PhD from Loughborough and undertook a Research Fellowship at the University of Oxford.
Dr Arnaz Binsardi,
Co-investigator
I’m currently a first-year student on Dr Hasan’s International Business Management degree program at the University of Derby. As an intern on this project, this an exciting first chance to apply the knowledge I’ve learnt over the last year and make a positive impact.
Mr Ayden Polley,
Intern
Detailed aims and scope of the project
Despite the invaluable contribution of non-profit organisations to society, the existent literature on the topic has placed relatively little importance on estimating the monetary contribution of the sector to society, including the contribution of the sector’s human capital or volunteers to the economy. Assessing the ‘real’ economic impact of the sector has been challenging due to the limited available data on volunteers. Therefore, this has led to an underestimation of the overall sector’s human capital visibility. This project attempts to estimate methodologically the monetary contribution of the non-profit sector of Derby to the local economy within the context of the volunteering data constraints and potential theoretical development. Working alongside First Steps ED, developing sustainable relationships with this organisation and with the potential to develop a body of knowledge that could fill a significant gap in current knowledge.
Assessing the economic contribution of the voluntary sector to the gross domestic product can be considered methodologically as an under-researched area in the UK, since the majority of research work lacks detailed methodology, including unclear sampling procedures, questionable analytical techniques and unverified data sources. Dayson, et al. (2011) conducted a study on about 5,000 Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) in Derbyshire that gathered evidence and provided detailed useful information about the sector’s income, paid staff, volunteers and partnerships. Unfortunately, no such solid piece of research in terms of the sector had been undertaken since then, hence it requires a fresh evaluation. However, like other earlier studies, Dayson, et. al mainly focused on approaches to estimate paid staff and volunteers’ economic contribution, rather than discussing the main economic models to measure the overall income variables of the sector. Therefore, the proposed study is expected to fill a gap in the literature by exploring the size and contribution of the third sector in Derby where little is known and to investigate the possibilities of undertaking further study.
Further, the study will certainly improve VCOs' information management system which ultimately enriches the sector’s credibility and transparency.
b) Work plan, milestones, and timelines
Start date: 1st April 2022
End date: 31st March 2023
Working weeks: 32
Invitation to the Survey
An Economic Impact Study of the Derby Third Sector Organisations
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) and National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) state that the voluntary sector contributed about £20 billion to the UK's economy or 0.9% of GDP in 2018/19 [1].
However, we don't have the data for the local level covering Derby City. We feel it is important for the social sector to be able to demonstrate its value and contribution provided by volunteers to the local economy.
Because the national statistics don't record the sector data at the local level, it is necessary to do an independent survey to find out the contribution available from our voluntary sector.
So, I'd like to ask you to fill in the questionnaire by following the link below.
This will enable me to do some calculations to show the sector's value in Derby. You have 38 questions to answer. It will take no longer than 30 minutes to complete. Also, please ensure you complete the consent form and read through the participation information attached.
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https://forms.office.com/e/2Lrv1Eaukf
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This work has been funded by the University of Derby's Higher Education Innovation Fund and is being done in partnership with Derby-based charity First Steps ED, a Mental Health and Specialist Eating Disorder charity who reports annually on the volunteers contribution to the Derby City economy.
The results from the survey will be used to show public bodies, commissioners and decision makers that they need to take the voluntary sector seriously for the gross added value (GVA) and gross domestic product (GDP). Your information will be kept strictly confidential with no group or organisation quoted in the study report. If you change your mind, you can contact me, and I will take your responses out at any time.
The study involves no risk and confers no benefit. If you have any questions about this investigation, you can contact me at 07976008759 or email m.hasan@derby.ac.uk
Sincerely,
Dr Mehdi Hasan
Senior Lecturer in Economics
Derby Business School
University of Derby
UK
[1] https://ncvo.org.uk/news-and-insights/news-index/uk-civil-society-almanac-2021/impact/#/
Working alongside First Steps ED, developing sustainable relationships with this organisation and with the potential to fill a significant gap in current knowledge on the impact of volunteering across Derby City.
