Wiltshire Community Foundation is collaborating with Oxford Consultants for Social Inclusion (OCSI) to provide an innovation called Local Insight.
It is an accessible online data platform which helps to create understanding of the needs and priorities of communities across Swindon and Wiltshire.
OCSI is a UK-based research and data consultancy that helps organisations use data to improve social and community outcomes, and their online Local Insight platform provides easy access to up-to-date local data and mapping, enabling organisations to better understand communities and target resources effectively.
Thanks to the new partnership with Wiltshire Community Foundation, the tool is now available to charities, community groups, voluntary organisations, funders and the community in general.
OCSI is a UK-based research and data consultancy that helps organisations use data to improve social and community outcomes, and their online Local Insight platform provides easy access to up-to-date local data and mapping, enabling organisations to better understand communities and target resources effectively.
Thanks to the new partnership with Wiltshire Community Foundation, the tool is now available to charities, community groups, voluntary organisations, funders and the community in general.
The platform provides access to over 1,500 regularly updated indicators covering a wide range of themes including health, employment, population, education, inequality and the economy.
Wiltshire Community Foundation’s Director of Partnerships, Margaret Firth, said: “We’re so pleased to be working with the brilliant team at OCSI to make Local Insight available to anyone who wants to understand more about our communities.
“This platform empowers users to complement their existing knowledge and understanding of their communities with data – whether it’s a community group applying for funding or a local organisation planning services, this resource can provide invaluable insight into the challenges and opportunities within our county.
“This platform empowers users to complement their existing knowledge and understanding of their communities with data – whether it’s a community group applying for funding or a local organisation planning services, this resource can provide invaluable insight into the challenges and opportunities within our county.
"It will make a real difference to charities and voluntary groups in Wiltshire and Swindon, and we can’t thank OCSI enough for their generous support.”
"Through interactive maps, dashboards and customisable reports, users can explore data relevant to their area and use it to inform funding bids, demonstrate need, shape services and help illustrate the story of their communities."
Wiltshire Community Foundation has been using Local Insight since 2019 to support its own research into local need. Their Wiltshire and Swindon Needs Analysis reports, published in 2021 and 2023, have been widely used by charities, funders and partners to identify inequalities and drive change.
"Through interactive maps, dashboards and customisable reports, users can explore data relevant to their area and use it to inform funding bids, demonstrate need, shape services and help illustrate the story of their communities."
Wiltshire Community Foundation has been using Local Insight since 2019 to support its own research into local need. Their Wiltshire and Swindon Needs Analysis reports, published in 2021 and 2023, have been widely used by charities, funders and partners to identify inequalities and drive change.
The foundation has commissioned an updated Needs Analysis, to be released following the publication of the new English Indices of Deprivation later this year.
The foundation will also be running a free online Local Insight Catch-Up session on 18 June for those interested in learning how to make the most of the platform. This informal session will offer the opportunity to ask questions and explore how the tool can be used effectively.
OCSI Director and Head of Research Stefan Noble, said: "Wiltshire Community Foundation put evidence-based decision making at the heart of their grant-giving strategy.
The foundation will also be running a free online Local Insight Catch-Up session on 18 June for those interested in learning how to make the most of the platform. This informal session will offer the opportunity to ask questions and explore how the tool can be used effectively.
OCSI Director and Head of Research Stefan Noble, said: "Wiltshire Community Foundation put evidence-based decision making at the heart of their grant-giving strategy.
"The socio-economic data presented in Local Insight and the local needs analysis is a crucial tool to help ensure that the unique needs, characteristics, contexts and challenges of Wiltshire and Swindon are reflected, prioritised and understood by the foundation and the wider community. It is great to partner with Wiltshire Community Foundation in this work."
Wiltshire Community Foundation have set up a dedicated Local Insight page on their website, featuring access to the platform, a short video tutorial, more information, links to upcoming support session. The website is https://www.wiltshirecf.org.uk/local-insight/
Wiltshire Community Foundation have set up a dedicated Local Insight page on their website, featuring access to the platform, a short video tutorial, more information, links to upcoming support session. The website is https://www.wiltshirecf.org.uk/local-insight/
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