Welcome to IVAR. We are an independent charity that works closely with people and organisations striving for social change. From the very small that directly support the most vulnerable in their local communities, to those that work nationally – across the voluntary, public and funding sectors.
We use research to develop practical responses to the challenges faced and create opportunities for people to learn from our findings. This site is home to our bank of research and resources, providing insights that can help organisations adapt to change and make informed and confident decisions.
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Latest publications
The value of small
What is distinctive and valuable about small charities relative to their larger counterparts and public sector bodies? We found three features that set them apart, and explored current funding challenges.
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The Future for Communities
How can people in our most disadvantaged communities feel and be more powerful in the future? This report concludes an 18 month research project that heard from over 800 people.
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Patients and communities driving progress in self care
This briefing illustrates what can be achieved by building health partnerships between the statutory sector and local communities.
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Blogs
09 November 2018
Reimagining hospital volunteers - getting started with under 18s
Annie Caffyn
It’s one thing to decide that you want to work with young volunteers, but where do you start and how do you keep new recruits interested? We've collated tips from hospital volunteer coordinators.
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14 November 2018
How to embed youth volunteering - meaningfully
Annie Caffyn
The challenges of embedding volunteering are well-documented – from the shifting sands of voluntary services to staff perceptions and the need for regular communication and support. We've collated tips and tricks from hospital volunteer coordinators.
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Learn more about IVAR