Using statistics and data
Using data and statistics in your work will make your organisation more compelling to funders and supporters, and make it easier for them to support your aims.
This guide brings together trusted and reliable sources of statistical information for voluntary organisations, and explains when to use statistics to back up your claims and improve your credibility.
Introduction
Using statistics demonstrates that you have done your research and identified a genuine need that your organisation can solve in the community. You should present research data and statistics in order to prove your work is based on facts rather than guesswork or intuition. This will give people confidence in your organisation and make it easier for them to support your mission.
Relevant statistics and data include:
- Local area statistics, including ward profiles
- National statistics
- Public health data
- Industry and sector insights
- Digital platform data
When to use statistics and data
Grant applications and proposals
Use figures and insights which illustrate needs in the community that your organisation can fulfil. For example, if you want to provide a service to help young people in your area to gain employment skills, grant funders will want to see evidence of significant youth unemployment in the area.
Writing informative articles and blog posts
You can research policy and political trends impacting on your organisation and community, such as changes to public service delivery or government budgets.
Here are some voluntary sector publications where you can find up-to-date statistics and insights to use in your work:
In-depth news and analysis
Market research blogs
- DJS Research voluntary sector research
- Think Turquoise market research for charities
- NFP Synergy market research
UK Government databases
Marketing and communications
If you keep your website and social media platforms up-to-date, they should be generating user data (metrics) that you can use to create marketing and communications strategies for your organisation. Most digital platforms let you view and download user generated reports.
Here are some ideas about how to use digital marketing data:
Does your organisation have a digital strategy in place? We offer digital skills training and can help you develop digital skills and capacity. Either get in touch for a conversation or fill in our form to request support from us.
Using Open Data Camden
Camden Council provides open access datasets for the public, researchers and organisations to use freely in their work. Here you can find information on Camden including neighbourhood statistics.
These are the important areas of statistical information in Camden’s voluntary sector:
Work and unemployment
To search labour and unemployment statistics on Camden, click here to go to Nomis at the Office for National Statistics. Here you can search the ‘Labour Markets Profiles’ and view Camden’s ‘Local Authority Profile’ to retrieve up-to-date statistics.
Poverty and deprivation
The Camden indices of deprivation provide maps for domains in Camden. You can download the latest map and view deprivation statistics by street. The map provides statistical insights into crime, housing, education, health and income related issues in these areas.
Public health
To search public health data on Camden, go to Open Data Camden and search the health category. Here you can view public health factsheets published by London Borough of Camden and you will find data on these health-related topics:
- Mental Health
- Children’s health
- Health and wellbeing
- Sexual health
- Addiction, smoking and alcohol
Latest information about Camden
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If you’d like help with finding and using statistics to support your organisation then please send your query to Alex Charles at alexcharles@vac.org.uk.
