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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Recently published
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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Thinking about… Merger, during Covid-19
Our updated Thinking about… Merger advice brings together the experiences of a wide variety of voluntary organisations and advisers that have contemplated or carried out merger.
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Newsletter
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Principles for grant reporting
We’ve been working with funders and charities to develop a set of principles that make grant reporting a shared, more meaningful and mutually beneficial experience.
Free resources and support for health, care and VCSE professionals
Transforming Healthcare Together
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Recruitment
30 July 2020
Covid-19 in 50 languages
Mike Aiken
Mike Aiken looks at how one Sussex charity - Sussex Interpreting Services - has re-designed their entire service, at short notice, to continue providing vital support during the Covid-19 pandemic.
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09 July 2020
6 reflections on collaboration during Covid-19
Nancy Towers | SEUK & Sonakshi Anand | IVAR
We share the challenges to and pressures of cross-sector partnership working in healthcare settings during the pandemic.
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