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Synopsis

Service delivery in a cost constrained environment. Set in the context of public sector cuts and the inevitable pressures on the financial resources available to charities and not-for-profit organisations, this paper looks at practical ways to do more with less.

In this paper, the first in a series of six, Patrick Nash looks at the reasons for increasing demands for support and advice service provision by the third sector. In this instance, the focus is on the challenges that arise from reducing financial resources, subsequent papers will consider technology, risk, training, marketing and societal changes that the third sector needs to address to meet the demands of the 21st Century service user.

Drawing on extensive third sector experience, and with real-life examples:

• The three-fold pressures on charity finances
• The channels of communication that service users expect
• Ways to extend the reach of your services without increasing costs
• The principles of Lead Methodology in effective service delivery
• The key difference between outputs and outcomes as a meaningful measure of value
• Four practical next steps to turn adversity into opportunity

Who should read this paper

This series of papers aims to stimulate debate and provide practical advice for charities and not-for-profit organisations that provide support and advice services. Chief Executives, board members and governers will all be critically aware of the issues we discuss, and will benefit from the perspectives and practical advice given in the paper.

About the author

Patrick Nash has worked in the Third Sector his whole career, establishing 14 charities, social enterprises and co-operatives. He set up Connect Assist to help charities improve their efficiency and impact, and to create skilled jobs in the South Wales valleys. Connect Assist provides transformational helplines and online platforms to deliver feedback and insight and engage with the communities that charities serve.