Taking Account

Taking Account 3 is the latest economic and social audit of the third sector in Brighton and Hove conducted by Community Works and supported by the University of Brighton. Community Works provides community groups and voluntary organisations in Brighton and Hove with the support they need to make as big a difference as possible to local lives and issues. The economic and social audit is conducted every five years and the current strategy was completed in 2013. The research updates the core data held on the third sector, collates further evidence of its impact and promotes a greater understanding of its work and development needs.

The key findings have been calculated using data gathered through a survey of third sector organisations operating within Brighton and Hove. 224 respondents completed the survey. Using simple scaling, we have been able to make estimates for the whole of the third sector in Brighton and Hove. The data is in simple and accessible tables.

To take just one example of the audit approach: the survey found that volunteers donate 110,400 hours per week to third sector organisations in Brighton and Hove or 5,740,800 hours per year. If volunteers were paid the Living Wage for their work then their donated time would be worth £845,000 weekly or £44 million annually.

A series of case studies evidencing value for money and the return on investment in the third sector are detailed at Section Five of the report. Further sections explore: Public Sector and Funder Spend in the City; Recommendations for policy makers, funders, sector support organisations and the third sector itself; a Landscape Analysis; the sector’s economic impact; and The Power of Volunteering in the city.

If you would like to find out more information or download a copy of the report you can visit the Community Works website here: http://bhcommunityworks.org.uk/research/

Laura Williams Representation and Partnerships Manager, Community Works

University of Brighton Partners:

Dr. Jen Colwell, Educational Research Centre Professor Andrew Church, School of Environment and Technology David Wolff, Community University Partnership Programme