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Study assesses role of charities and social enterprises in the north

By Jonny Pearson, Third Sector Online, 26 April 2007

The Northern Rock Foundation is to commit £750,000 over seven years to a research project designed to assess the role that the third sector plays in the north of England.

The Foundation has appointed former director of research at the Charities Aid Foundation, Cathy Pharoah, as the chair of an advisory group. Other members include representatives from the IPPR, the Office of the Third Sector and Navca. A research team will be appointed later in the year.

“What makes Northern Rock Foundation’s programme so important is its emphasis on local and regional perspectives currently absent from the growing body of national data,” said Pharoah, who set up research company Third Sector Prospect after leaving CAF last year. “It is an ambitious programme and I’m looking forward to helping shape it over the coming months alongside my fellow advisory members.”

The Foundation hopes that by gathering detailed information about the voluntary and community sector it will increase understanding of how grant makers can most effectively support and develop the sector’s contribution to life in the north. To achieve a broad and accurate coverage of the sector, the Foundation will incorporate smaller community groups and social enterprises that are not on the Charity Commission’s register into the study.

Fiona Ellis, director of the Northern Rock Foundation said: “For too long, the distinct lack of detailed, consistent, good quality information on the scale and dynamics of the voluntary and community sector has hindered its work. As an independent grant maker we’re pleased to be taking a lead and supporting the development of new methodologies.”