Local Data and information
In this section, we have provided links to key sources of information that may be of help to you and any organisations you work with:
Show how you match local priorities
Show you understand who else is providing relevant services and activities locally
Getting evidence
When making applications for grants and funding, most applications will require you to provide evidence of need for what you are proposing. This can be a challenge, especially when the evidence appears to be obvious to you. However, collecting this evidence is still important to demonstrate that there is a clear need for the project.
There are lots of types of evidence available, such as information in formal reports, surveys, as well as project based data and information gathered by your organsation about the people that you support. Soft information such as observations and feedback from users is important, but do be careful using anecdotal evidence alone as this is not acceptable to some funders. Often what is needed is to show objective information which supports your funding application. This could be about, for example, levels of unemployment in the area, levels of youth offending, the existence of relative levels of poor health, what your clients have told you about their needs or evaluations from previous projects.
Finding statistics and evidence for your bid has been made easier through the development of LSR Leicestershire Statistics and Research Online. This is a database of statistical information and research reports about Leicester and Leicestershire. It is free to use. Reports on the site include unemployment bulletines, Parish Plans, Strategic Assessments of community safety issues, the Indicies of Multiple Deprivation, population and household estimates and health inequalities. The link to LSR is provided below.
LEICESTERSHIRE STATISTICS AND RESEARCH ONLINE
As well as the statistical data available on LSR, Leicestershire County Council also provides reports and analysis of some information, though the LSR website is more up to date. See Leicestershire County Council's website.
For information at a regional level, Intelligence East Midlands is the regional observatory , which facilitates research coordination and promotes access to research and data on the region in order to inform policy-making. Click the link below for more information.
Matching local priorities
Tying your project to local and regional priorities is often another way of demonstrating need, along with showing that the funds you are seeking will be used as part of a wider context. Indeed, many sources of funding are based on priorities which have been identified in key strategic planning documents.
We have provided links to as many of these key documents. This has been broken down into 1) national, such as the Government Childcare Strategy, Every Child Matters. 2) regional, such as the Regional Economic Stratety. 3) Leicestershire County, such as the Sustainable Community Stratetgy for Leicestershire 4) Leicester City and 5) DsitrictDocuments.
If you are unable to find one that you are looking for, please let us know by using the feedback form and we will try to locate it and provide a link on this webiste.
Understanding who else is doing what
Funders often want to be assured that your proposal fits in with existing services rather than duplicating or competing with them. One way of checking whether or not you are doing this is to talk to your local voluntary sector support services. It also helps to be in touch with any themed networks, forums and partnerships.related to your proposal, as this will add further weight to your application. With this in mind, we have provided a list of such organisations as part of the 'local data' section.
