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WRC's research and reports

Hidden Value: Demonstrating the extraordinary impact of women's voluntary and community organisations

Publication date: December 2011



To download a copy of the report, please click on the front of the report or on the link below:

Hidden Value: Demonstrating the Extraordinary Impact of Women's Voluntary and Community Organisations



Hidden Value...', is an innovative social return on investment report produced in collaboration with five London-based women’s organisations, with support from new economics foundation.

Social Return On Investment (SROI) is a form of cost-benefit analysis that seeks to measure and value the key changes, or outcomes, created by a programme or activity.

Conducted over a two year period, ‘Hidden Value…’ highlights the far reaching benefits of the services provided by women’s organisations and the significant savings they create for the state, local economies and communities.

You can find out more about the five organisations that took part in the research and download copies of their individual research reports on our SROI page.



Assessing the Financial Vulnerability of Charities Serving Women

Publication Date: December 2010


To download a copy of the report, please click on the front cover of the report or on the link below:

Assessing the Financial Vulnerability of Charities Serving Women (PDF 599KB)




New WRC research has found that women’s organisations are less resistant to ‘financial shocks’ than general charities. As a result they are more at risk of having to reduce or close their services.

Using data from Guidestar, the research found that women’s organisations were particularly vulnerable due to the tendency for women’s organisations to depend upon fewer sources of income than other charities (usually local authorities).

Previous WRC research has highlighted some of the other potential factors affecting the sustainability of women's organisations, including the unpopularity of women’s organisations with decision makers and funders, difficulties in engaging with commissioning and lack of commitment to gender equality.



In All Our Colours: Lesbian, bisexual and trans women's services in the UK

Publication Date: September 2010


To download a copy of the report and related briefings, please click on the front cover of the report or on the link below:

In All Our Colours: Lesbian, bisexual and trans women's services in the UK

Download the press release to accompany the report here



This report highlights the key issues affecting different groups of lesbian, bisexual and trans women as well as providing a picture of the sector that supports these women, what services are available and what threats these services face.

Download the report and accompanying briefings here.



Power & Prejudice - combating gender inequality through women's organisations 

Publication Date:
July 2010



To download a copy of the report, click on the front cover of the report or on the link below:

  
Power and Prejudice (PDF 2153KB)

Read the press release to accompany the report here




WRC's groundbreaking new report examines what helps - and what hinders - women's organisations in creating change at a local level.

The research identifies the barriers facing women's organisations in being able to create these changes, presents learnings on what factors and what useful tools can help with local engagement and offers clear, practical solutions to both public bodies and women's organisations to improve this local engagement.

The project used a participatory action model, a social justice model of research that aims to empower those taking part in the research to act on improving conditions in their lives. In addition, the project was complemented by a literature review of existing research on the issue and a gender equality audit of local public bodies' policies.

In addition, WRC has produced a number of resources to support women's organisations in having their say at a local level, and to support public bodies to better work with women and their organisations. Some of these are already up on the website and others will be coming soon.



Past publications: