Tuesday 28 April 2015

Pro Bono O.R. provides free consultancy to help CIC evaluate the impact of their antenatal classes #ORblog #ThisisOR




Pro Bono O.R. provides free consultancy to help CIC evaluate the impact of their antenatal classes.

Parentskool requested Pro Bono O.R. support to analyse and evaluate the impact from their antenatal classes on first time parents across various factors: by socio-demographics and other cross analysis to produce an independent evaluation of their outcomes.

Parentskool’s vision is for every parent to be informed, prepared and confident in their ability to care for their baby. Their mission is to provide realistic, fun and confidence-building antenatal courses, and other products and services, that supports their vision to inform and prepare parents-to-be, resulting in more confident, healthier and happier parents and babies.

A volunteer analyst was matched to the CIC who carried out data entry for approximately 300 post course survey and 60 post-natal surveys using customised VBA forms in Excel.  Results of the surveys demonstrated that social-impact targets and values were being met by Parentskool, who were then able to show these findings to fundraisers.  Additionally they now have a system for data entry which automatically produces high level results to use going forward.

CEO of Parentskool: ‘This work has made a huge difference as it means we have instant outcomes data which we can use in fundraising and talking to commissioners.’

 The OR Society launched its Pro Bono O.R. initiative for UK based third sector organisations in September 2013. The society wants more organisations to benefit from operational research and recognises that third sector organisations have an even greater need to reduce costs and increase efficiency and effectiveness.

The purpose of O.R. is to enable managers to make more effective decisions.  Organisations may seek a very wide range of operational improvements - for example, greater efficiency, better customer service, higher quality or lower cost. No matter what size or at what stage your organisation is, no matter what kind of decision, problem, or opportunity you face, O.R. can offer the flexibility and adaptability to provide objective help.

These are some of the issues the organisations we’ve worked with have faced:
·         ‘We have lots of different options for the future but it’s impossible to decide which to choose in such uncertain times.’
·          ‘We’re under huge pressure to do more with less, and we don’t know how we’re going to do it.’
·          ‘It’s hard to stay objective when we’re faced with such emotionally charged decisions.’
·          ‘We know we’re doing a good job – but how can we prove it?’


For further information about how Pro Bono O.R. could help your organisation please contact Felicity McLeister or visit the Pro Bono O.R. webpage.

                               

Monday 27 April 2015

Operational Research - among the best job of 2015! #ORblog #ThisIsOR

More evidence that O.R. is the best job, with O.R. skills being cited among the top ten jobs of 2015.

With mathematician, statistician and data scientist all appearing in the top 10 jobs of 2015, there has never been a better time to be in O.R. 

See the following link for more details: Independent: top 10 jobs

For more information about O.R. please visit: 

The Society's main function is to enable members to acquire, share and exchange knowledge. To find out more about O.R. or for teaching resources go to Learn About O.R. Looking to improve your business or organisation? Go to The Science of Better.








Monday 20 April 2015

Current Pro Bono O.R. projects requiring volunteers #ORblog

Dear volunteer,

Please find details of a new project below.  I have provided a brief summary below and then provided a link to the detailed project scope.

Oxfordshire Advocacy
I
nformation about the organisation:
Charitable objectives: To provide a free, confidential and independent advocacy service.
Main activities of the organisation: Advocacy support delivered by trained volunteers and part time staff.
Project summary:
Project: To review how they measure outcomes of advocacy cases and thus their effectiveness, impact and outcomes.
Time commitment: approx. 5 days
Location:  Initial meeting in Oxford, then home based.
Please read the detailed project proposal and if you feel you are able to offer your assistance please complete the application form and return to me along with your CV by midday on Wednesday 6th May.

Please note the projects below were advertised last (I have attached all the details again for your consideration)

Streatham Youth and Community Trust 
Information about the organisation:
Area of benefit: To improve the lives of children, young people and vulnerable adults through delivery of services, activities and projects
Charitable objectives: Reduce social isolation; increase confidence and self-esteem; empower young people and their families; Develop strong relationships and communities
Main activities: Youth clubs; Homework Clubs; Adult Support Groups; Room Hire
Project summary (1):
Project: Engaging with a marginalised community - Engaging with a marginalised group of clients/users and non-users
Time commitment: approx. 5 days
Location:  Mix of remote and onsite working (London)
Please read the detailed project proposal and if you feel you are able to offer your assistance please complete the application form and return to me along with your CV by midday on Wednesday 29th April.
Project summary (2):
Project: Planning Business Improvement - Assessing currency of priorities, gaps in service delivery, options for improvement and new/innovative services to feed into a new business plan including the financial impact of change
Time commitment: approx. 20 days
Location:  Mix of remote and onsite working (London)
Please read the detailed project proposal and if you feel you are able to offer your assistance please complete the application form and return to me along with your CV by midday on Wednesday 29th April.

Please specify on your application which project you are applying for.

These projects are suitable for an individual, a pair or a team of analysts.  Additionally if you would like to work on a project with the support of a mentor please do specify in your application and we can offer the required support.

If you are interested in working on a project but cannot meet the deadline specified please do register your interest in the first instance before the deadline.
If you require any further information please do not hesitate to get in touch.

I look forward to hearing from you and once again thank you for your help and support.

Kind regards

Felicity McLeister
O.R. Pro Bono Project Manager
(Mon, Tue & Wed)
Direct Tel +44 (0)121 234 7826, Main Tel +44 (0)121 233 9300

If you are not already a member of The OR Society and are interested in joining please visit https://www.theorsociety.com/ or send an email to carol.smith@theorsociety.com

Additionally you may be interested in becoming a member of our Third Sector Special Interest Group (ORiTS). For more details visit:  https://www.theorsociety.com/Pages/SpecialInterest/ORThirdSector.aspx

Other webpages that may be of interest:


Thursday 16 April 2015

Great article - O.R. used to improve decision making in Boston hospital

Patient Route Systems Selected by Top-Tier Academic Medical Center

Brigham and Women's Hospital selects Patient Route Systems' predictive analytics platform to improve decision making in the hospital. The solution improves patient flow, optimizes resource utilization, and reduces waste in hospital environments thereby identifying significant opportunities to improve quality and reduce cost.


Click here for the full article.

Wednesday 15 April 2015

Tweet chat tonight: what is O.R. and how can it help charities? #charityhour

Join @CharityHourUK using the hashtag #charityhour for a tweet chat today from 8-9pm (GMT) 

We will be exploring the following questions:

  • What role does pro bono consultancy have to play in the Third Sector?
  • What's your experience of using pro bono consultancy?
  • What tips do you have for others considering using pro bono consultancy?
  • What type of projects benefit most from pro bono consultancy?
  • Big data is a big thing! What tips do you have for getting insights from your data?
  • What is Operational Research and how can it be used to help the Charities?
Looking forward to seeing you there.

Thanks for your support!


Tuesday 14 April 2015

There is still time to book your place at this popular event: Services to Young People

You are invited to attend:


Services to Young People

Thursday, April 23, 2015 from 2:30 PM - 5:00 PM

Registration from 14:30 with tea and coffee
Talks begin promtly at 15:00
The event will be followed by refreshments

There are many thousands of charities providing services to young people, aiming to ensure that no matter how vulnerable they are, or what risks and deprivations they face, they will have the chance to enjoy their childhoods and have a safe and happy future.
How can O.R. help these organisations? Is there anything special about the nature of the analytical or decision-making support needed when the service users are young people? What can we learn from the experiences of O.R. interventions?

This seminar will include a series of talks by O.R. professionals who are working pro-bono for charities supporting young people. The charities involved include The Childhood Trust, Elfrida Rathbone, and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. The talks will be followed by a general discussion of special issues affecting young people.

For further information please contact:   felicity.mcleister@theorsociety.com

London School of Economics
Room 1.07 New Academic Building
54 Lincoln's Inn Fields
LondonWC2A 3LT
Events powered by EventBrite

Monday 13 April 2015

#CharityHour Pro Bono O.R. tweet chat Wednesday 15th April 8-9pm (GMT)

Join @CharityHourUK using the hashtag #charityhour for a tweet chat on Wednesday 15th April from 8-9pm (GMT) 

We will be exploring the following questions:

  • What role does pro bono consultancy have to play in the Third Sector?
  • What's your experience of using pro bono consultancy?
  • What tips do you have for others considering using pro bono consultancy?
  • What type of projects benefit most from pro bono consultancy?
  • Big data is a big thing! What tips do you have for getting insights from your data?
  • What is Operational Research and how can it be used to help the Charities?
Looking forward to seeing you there.

Thanks for your support!




Tuesday 7 April 2015

Still time to book: Free Seminar How O.R. is Helping Provide Services to Young People

O.R. SOCIETY THIRD SECTOR SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP

Spring seminar

SERVICES TO YOUNG PEOPLE

 

Date/time:       Thursday 23rd April 2015
 Registration from 14:30
 Talks 15.00 to 17:00 followed by wine and nibbles

Location:       Room 1.07
                        New Academic Building
                        London School of Economics
                        54 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London
                        WC2A 3LT

Cost:                FREE

There are many thousands of charities providing services to young people, aiming to ensure that no matter how vulnerable they are, or what risks and deprivations they face, they will have the chance to enjoy their childhoods and have a safe and happy future.

How can O.R. help these organisations? Is there anything special about the nature of the analytical or decision-making support needed when the service users are young people? What can we learn from the experiences of O.R. interventions?

This seminar will include a series of talks by O.R. professionals who are working pro-bono for charities supporting young people. The charities involved include The Childhood Trust, Elfrida Rathbone, and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. The talks will be followed by a general discussion of special issues affecting young people.

To book your place please visit: Eventbrite: Services to Young People
Please note this event is free but places are limited.



For further information please contact:   felicity.mcleister@theorsociety.com

Pro Bono OR moving elsewhere

Pro Bono OR projects can now be found here:  https://www.theorsociety.com/get-involved/pro-bono-or/open-pro-bono-projects/ This blog will no...