Research and Data
Mapping and Data for Better Decisions
We use data, mapping, and research to build a clearer picture of what’s happening across Glasgow’s communities and to highlight the vital role of the third sector. Our goal is to help organisations:
- Understand local needs
- Share what they do
- Learn from each other
- Use evidence confidently to influence change
We combine community insights with public data to provide clear and practical information that informs services, local decision-making, and policy. Our design and engagement activities help ensure that these decisions are based on solid evidence. Collaborating with Glasgow City Council, the Glasgow Health Determinants Research Collaboration, local universities, and partners across the Child Poverty Programme allows us to coordinate efforts and prevent duplication of work.
Digital Inclusion
We know that digital exclusion affects many individuals and community organisations in Glasgow, so we are committed to understanding this and helping address it through this work. GCVS hosts the Digital Inclusion Alliance (DIA), established to strengthen collaboration across Scotland’s public, third, and private sectors and to promote a strategic, joined-up approach to tackling digital exclusion.
Glasgow Helps
We support the Glasgow Helps platform, making it easier for people to access activities and services across the city through an online directory. The Glasgow Helps website allows third sector organisations to share and update accurate information about their services.
In 2021, we launched our first Festive Directory to make it easier for people to find available services over the festive period. Previously, this information was shared via a downloadable spreadsheet, but now it is available on the Glasgow Helps website in a temporary “festive category“. This allows people to search by category to find services nearby or browse by type, such as Festive Lunch or Gifts.
Visit the Glasgow Helps site here.
Projects Past & Present
Digital Inclusion
Digital access is now essential for daily life, yet many individuals, families and community organisations in Glasgow still face barriers to getting online, accessing devices, building digital confidence and using technology safely.
Digital exclusion is closely linked to poverty, health, employability, education and social participation, so tackling it requires a joined-up approach. Community organisations have a vital role in this, as trusted, local support is often what makes the biggest difference to people’s confidence and ability to engage digitally.
We are supporting the development of a Glasgow Digital Inclusion Network to bring community organisations and partners together to:
- Share learning and avoid duplication
- Join up activity and resources
- Strengthen community-based digital support
- Improve access to devices, connectivity, skills and confidence
- Embed digital inclusion across services and policy
We aim to help make Glasgow a city where everyone has the digital access and confidence they need to live well. There will be opportunities to get involved through shared learning and collaborative action.
Read more about the new Digital Inclusion Alliance (DIA) here.
Glasgow Helps
Glasgow Helps is a web directory that aims to help citizens and those who support them find services more efficiently. When visiting the website, you’ll find everything from social clubs and activities listed to mental health support and financial advice.
It was born during the pandemic, when the third sector became a vital lifeline for people who were shielding, self-isolating, or in quarantine. Glasgow Helps emerged as a one-stop shop to connect people across Glasgow to the help and support they needed.
It enabled us to provide citizens with fuel top-up vouchers or payments, as well as energy advice, in partnership with Glasgow City Council.
In 2022, Glasgow City Council set up the Glasgow Helps Support Service to complement our directory – recognising that not everyone has the digital access needed to utilise the website. Glasgow Helps uses council-held information to identify those who might be in need, and proactively contacts them to offer a service. The service also responds directly to incoming contacts/referrals from citizens or referral partners.
The service has holistic conversations with people to build relationships and trust, to create a joint understanding of needs and aspirations. This enables the service to identify, secure, and case-manage agreed support pathways and referrals that, in addition to providing immediate assistance, work with people to build their resilience and facilitate their participation in the life of the city.
Visit glasgowhelps.org
Mapping Glasgow’s Family Support Services 2022
In 2022, we conducted a survey to map the city’s family support landscape. Co-designed with members of the Glasgow Citywide Forum’s Family Support subgroup, and with input from the Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership, we produced a survey to gather key data. The exercise mirrored a similar task carried out in 2018 and aimed to identify the extent of existing Third Sector Family Support Services, as well as key gaps in current provision.
Based on the survey data, and following further consultation with respondents and partners, a series of recommendations were produced, focusing on funding: collaborative working, increased resources, specialist support and early intervention.
We also developed a Family Support Map.
Find out more about our policy work on Children’s Services here.
Mapping Glasgow’s Third Sector Mental Health Services 2021
In 2021, the Citywide Forum’s Mental Health Network, supported by GCVS, carried out a survey to map the extent of third sector mental health and wellbeing services to children, young people and families across Glasgow.
The survey identified 122 different third sector mental health and wellbeing services for children, young people and families. It also highlighted the gaps in provision and the concerns about rising levels of depression and anxiety among young people.
A mapping resource containing information and contact details of participating projects is available here.
Find out more about our policy work on Children’s Services here.
Get Involved
There will be opportunities to get involved through workshops, shared learning sessions and collaborative research. If you would like to take part or share work already underway in your organisation or community, email policy.engagement@gcvs.org.uk – we would love to hear from you.