Welcome to the Institute for Voluntary Action Research – 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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Covid-19
Support for voluntary sector leaders and their funders
The outbreak of the coronavirus in the UK presents a shock that is without precedent for almost all of us. This page will be updated with the latest information about our efforts to support voluntary organisations and their funders at this time, and with links to past research that may be useful.
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Trust, power and collaboration
Shares practical suggestions for taking a ‘human learning systems’ approach to commissioning and funding relationships. Carried out in partnership with Northumbria University and the Tudor Trust the research aimed to capture the varying experiences of those adapting their practice, and identify both what is happening and what needs to change to enable different ways of working – for both VCS organisations and funders/commissioners.
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Making learning everyday
Evaluation Roundtable 2020
Facing a volatile and uncertain future, foundations need good learning to support tough decisions about maximising their contribution. The Evaluation Roundtable asked Corra Foundation and Pears Foundation to share their approach to learning during Covid-19, and their thoughts on how this will influence the way they learn in the future.
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Blogs
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Youth volunteering in hospitals
Learning and resources from 32 NHS Trusts for those setting up or running youth volunteering programmes in hospitals.
Free resources and support for health, care and VCSE professionals
Transforming Healthcare Together
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14 January 2021
Where to start when everything is so uncertain
Ben Cairns | IVAR, Sara Llewellin | Barrow Cadbury Trust
Ben Cairns and Sara Llewellin explore how alignment helps trusts and foundations (as well as organisations of any kind) navigate uncertainty.
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03 December 2020
From isolation to opportunity – my story of adapting to Covid
Patricia Kieran | Irish Institute for Catholic Studies
As Director of the Irish Institute for Catholic Studies, a small organisation based in Limerick, Patricia Kieran discusses her journey through the Covid-19 crisis - from isolation to opportunity.
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