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NCVS papers

This page has links to our research, responses to consultations and other papers. 

Some of the papers are in PDF format, so you'll need Adobe Acrobat Reader software on your PC in order to open the document.  If you don't have this free software on your PC, click on the Adobe logo at the bottom of this screen to download them.

All documents open in a separate window. 

Infrastructure bodies and outcomes policy

This paper, written for NACVS, examines what we see as mistaken ideas about the appropriateness of using outcomes as a measure of success in the voluntary sector.  Whilst it is primarily aimed at bodies like CVSs, much of it also applies to all voluntary groups.

Infrastructure bodies and outcomes policy (PDF, 71kb)

Getting ready for procurement and tendering in the new commissioning world

NCVS has produced this briefing paper for CHYP IN (the Children and Young People's Information Network).  However it provides a practical approach for any organisation new to the processes involved in procurement.

Getting ready for procurement and tendering in the new commissioning world (PDF, 50kb)

The Journey to Participation and Work

The Regen Forum was commissioned to produce a report on the voluntary and community sector’s contribution to employability.  This report, the Journey to Participation and Work, identifies ten groups of people who together make up the 45,000 in Newcastle who are ‘economically inactive’.

The report describes the main characteristics of each of these groups, identifies the barriers to work that they face, considers what needs to be done to overcomes these barriers and examines the ways that the voluntary and community sector can contribute to employability.  It also makes proposals about how the sector can be procured to deliver employability services.

The Journey to Participation and Work (PDF, 552kb)

Capacitybuilders consultation document

The Government established the funding programme ChangeUp in order to improve the skills and capacity of the third sector by offering support to infrastructure bodies, such as NCVS.  In 2006 the Government set up a quango, Capacitybuilders, to administer the ChangeUp programme.

Capacitybuilders undertook a consultation on how they should set out to achieve their objectives by 2014.  The consultation document was called Destination 2014: investing in change.  NCVS examined their plan, and opposed some crucial parts and found others unrealistic.  Our response was submitted and a copy can be viewed by clicking the link below. 

NCVS response to Destination 2014: investing in change (PDF, 101kb)

Leading the Way

In 2005 One NorthEast issued a consultation on their Regional Economic Strategy.  NCVS and the Regen Forum issued a response to this consultation.  Click on the link below to open it up.

NCVS and Regen Forum response to Leading the Way (Word, 27kb)

The Voluntary Sector in Newcastle upon Tyne 2005

In Spring 2005 NCVS researched the voluntary sector in Newcastle upon Tyne.  We looked at a number of key issues:

• staffing, volunteers, committee members and area of operation

• financial information, such as annual income, sources of income, and relation to Local Authority grant aid

We also asked groups if they had or were working towards any quality accreditation, and tried to assess potential interest in performance improvement. 

The Voluntary Sector in Newcastle upon Tyne 2005 (PDF, 301kb)

Executive summary (PDF, 98kb)

NCVS conducted similar research on the voluntary sector in 2001. For further information please ring 0191 232 7445 or email

IN DEPTH: 8 Case Studies (the Voluntary and Community Sector in Newcastle upon Tyne - Part 2)

This piece of research follows closely on from that of the Voluntary Sector in Newcastle upon Tyne 2005 paper above and looks in depth at a small sample of eight organisations. 

IN DEPTH: 8 Case Studies (PDF, 592kb)

The Economic Contribution of the Voluntary Sector

This discussion paper published in 1999 outlines the contribution made by the voluntary sector in Tyneside to the local and national economy.  Although the figures in this paper are no longer current, we believe it still gives a useful overview of the ideas involved.

The Economic Contribution of the Voluntary Sector (PDF, 95kb)

Report on the Consultation on Infrastructure Support for the VCS in Newcastle

This consultation was carried out as part of the ChangeUp programme, which is the government initiative intended to support the infrastructure agencies in the voluntary and community sector.

The report analyses the results of a questionnaire on the issue sent to all NCVS members; a focus group; and an analysis of the funding situation. 

Report on the Consultation on Infrastructure Support for the VCS in Newcastle (PDF, 168kb)

Black and Minority Ethnic Case Advocacy Pilot Project evaluation report