Viewfinder surveys
NICVA regularly surveys the sector's opinion on the issues of the day. The Viewfinder surveys have been gathering the sector's opinion on a range of issues since 2003.
This Viewfinder, the eleventh in the series, provides an overview of a number of issues which are currently affecting the voluntary and community sector in Northern Ireland. The survey focused on collaborative working and competition, the impact of public sector cuts and sources of income, as well as staffing and volunteers. Viewfinder 11 builds on the research evidence base generated by Viewfinder 10 (September 2010) and outlines not only how the sector has been affected by the economic downturn but how it has managed to adapt.
This Viewfinder, the tenth in the series, provides an overview of a number of issues which are currently affecting the voluntary and community sector in Northern Ireland. The survey focuses specifically on two key themes; collaborative working and the impact of public sector cuts on the voluntary and community sector.
The latest Viewfinder survey looks at awareness of the role and functions of the new Charity Commission and preparedness for the new regulations in terms of governance and financial systems; the impact of the Code of Good Governance in organisations; views on collaborative working and mergers; the impact of the economic recession now and in the next 12 months and opportunities for volunteering.
This Viewfinder is slightly different from others as it focuses on the impact of the current economic downturn on the voluntary and community sector. The survey was conducted in December 2008 at a time when the debate was still focused on the impact of the credit crunch.
This Viewfinder covers issues such as the smoking ban, devolution in Northern Ireland, the issue of a draft Code of Governance for the voluntary and community sector, as well as the idea of mergers. (Oct 2007)
This Viewfinder gathers opinion on the summer marching season, the end of academic selection and training of board members. (June 2006)
Viewfinder 5 investigated the sector's opinion on a proposed smoking ban, gauged opinion on the importance of the Review of Public Administration, and looked at the thorny issue of childcare. (November 2005)
The survey examined the voluntary and community sector on a range of issues, including smoking, political situation, policy debate, governance and fundraising. (June 2005)
Viewfinder 3 showed underutilisation of Gift Aid schemes, annoyance at the difficulty faced when attempting to secure media coverage of issues and events, and a sector unsure of its future role in the delivery of public services. (June 2004)
Viewfinder 2 dealt with Community Relations and Civil Society, yielding some interesting and thoughtprovoking, not to say baffling, results. (March 2004)
Viewfinder 1 investigated the political situation in Northern Ireland, and, unsurprisingly, showed signs of a sector crying out for a return to local democracy. The thorny issue of the Euro also reared its head. (November 2003)
