Social Consultancy
At Unique Perspectives we work with a complete range of public and social organisations including local community and voluntary groups, Area Partnerships and LEADER groups, Schools and Universities, Third Level colleges and other Educational Programmes, Health Services and Representative Bodies through to Local Authorities, Government Departments and Statutory Agencies. We have completed a range of projects on community, urban and rural development; local area planning; childcare; educational disadvantage, early school leaving and youth service provision; literacy, adult education and training; equality, disability, elderly and ethnic minority issues; addiction issues; homelessness and housing; and enterprise and employment; organisational reviews, group facilitation and strategic planning.
Our range of Social Consultancy services include:
- Strategy and Action Plan Development
- Internal Review Sessions
- Feasibility Studies
- Project and Programme Evaluation
- Case Study Development
- Grant and Funding Applications
- Group Facilitation and Training
Strategy and Action Plan Development
Effective and consultative strategic planning is an important component to the success of any organisation. The strategic planning process facilitates consideration of key aspects of the service in terms of the target group or audience; medium/long-term priorities; internal structures of the organisation; SWOT analysis; the level of engagement or partnership with other stakeholders in the sector, budget and funding issues; setting of targets and deliverables; and ongoing performance monitoring provisions. Unique Perspectives can support you throughout this process and work with you in developing a practical strategic plan, from arranging and facilitation of planning sessions through to writing and production of the final document.
Internal Review Sessions
A particularly beneficial service, which we have provided to many groups and organisations, is an intensive 1-2 day review and planning sessions. The key stakeholders within the organisation or project are invited to participate in these sessions which focus on management, organisational and planning issues. An integral element of this process is the undertaking of a comprehensive SWOT analysis to review the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats associated with a specific initiative or project. This analysis identifies the key internal strengths and weaknesses within your organisation and also highlights the opportunities and threats within the external environment, which impacts upon, or influences how your organisation operates. This concise analysis provides a constructive framework for forward planning in your organisation.
Feasibility Studies
Independent examination of the feasibility of establishing a new business, social economy enterprise, sports and leisure facility, new tourism initiative, visitors centre, or an event or festival, through market research, local/national market environment audit, analysis of industry trends, competitor analysis, cost analysis, financial projections, investigation of sources of funding, research among potential customers, and analysis of critical success factors.
Project and Programme Evaluation
Conducting evaluations is a necessary and important aspect of many of the programmes and initiatives in todays community development sector, many of which are funded by Government and EU programmes. Often seen as unnecessary and time consuming, evaluations can, in fact, be very beneficial by providing an overview of the work of an organisation or initiative over a specified period of time and can help highlight areas for improvement or enhancing the work of the initiative, and identifying key issues for future sustainability. Furthermore, evaluations can help to focus an organisation and can provide the opportunity to stand back and reflect on key issues.
At Unique Perspectives we can assist you in organising and conducting an evaluation which will accurately assess your organisation or initiative and effectively present the findings.
Case Study Development
In community and voluntary programmes and initiatives, figures and statistics provide only a limited reflection of the type of work being done and the benefits and successes which such work can achieve. Case studies are a very useful and effective way of illustrating the type of work which you do and the key issues which you are addressing, the people you work with, what they like about the initiative and the benefits it has provided for them.
Grant and Funding Applications
Identification of potential sources of funding for social and community projects and initiatives and assisting you to obtain funding from relevant identified bodies through the professional presentation of your project proposal and development plans, incorporating a management profile, project aims, objectives, and processes, relevant data and statistics, financial information, achievements to date, and other relevant information.
Group Facilitation and Training
At Unique Perspectives we can work with you to help you better manage your group or organisation, conduct better meetings, identify and access funding, manage projects and initiatives more effectively, etc. We have also facilitated the establishment of community networks and the coming together of different community groups to cooperate and work together on particular projects and to share resources and information.