For several years Voluntary Action Leeds has been developing the support it provides to organisations, both third sector and statutory, around research and evaluation. Recently we have been working with NHS England, Local Authorities and third sector organisation from across Yorkshire and beyond.
If you would like to know more about the support VAL can offer you around research and evaluation then please contact Gary Blake – gary.blake@val.org.uk.
Research and Evaluation
Undertaken by Voluntary Action Leeds (VAL)

Third Sector Resilience West Yorkshire & Leeds - Survey Three September 2021
This third round of this resilience research was completed by third sector organisations between May and June 2021. The survey sought to capture the impact of COVID-19 on the third sector looking at sector viability in the light of changing income and expenditure, pressures on communities and changes in volunteering and the third sector’s ability to adapt to changing circumstances and positive experiences.
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Third Sector Resilience Follow up Survey (Leeds)
Drawing on the same October 2020 survey data set as the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Sector Resilience Survey, Third Sector Leeds undertook an analysis of the impact of covid on the strengths of and challenges to the third sector specifically in Leeds.
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Third Sector Resilience Follow-up Survey (West Yorkshire and Harrogate)
Following the initial survey carried out in 2020, this follow-up survey and resultant report seeks to understand the continued impact of COVID-19 on the sector and the communities it supports. The findings pull together feedback from 215 voluntary and community organisations across Bradford district and Craven; Calderdale, Harrogate, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield.
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Third Sector Resilience Survey (West Yorkshire and Harrogate)
This far reaching survey and resultant report sets out the impact of COVID-19 on the sector and the communities it supports. VAL worked closely with over 300 voluntary and community organisations across Bradford district and Craven; Calderdale, Harrogate, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield.
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Third Sector Resilience Survey (Leeds)
Drawing on the same June 2020 survey data set as the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Sector Resilience Survey, Third Sector Leeds undertook an analysis of the impact of covid on the strengths of and challenges to the third sector in Leeds.
This impactful report formed the backbone of a local campaign around the covid impact of the third sector and kickstarted a debate about how to protect the third sector for the future.
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From Crisis Point to Turning Point
In 2019, Young Lives Leeds partnered with the University of Leeds’ Social Science Institute to undertake research with young people about the way services commissioned in the third sector that engage with the ‘whole person’ impact upon their readiness to seek employment or training.
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Challenging Conversations
In 2018, this innovative Home Office funded research, resourced small third sector organisations to tested the impact of their work on the drivers of hate crime in young people. It contributed to debate in Leeds about ways to bring commmunities together and the development of a programme of training in shaping work with young people
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Young Lives Leeds NEET Report
In 2015, Voluntary Action Leeds (VAL), Young Lives Bradford and Wakefield Young Lives completed a research project that engaged with 315 young people to share their experiences of Not being in Employment, Education or Training (NEET).
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