Text of email received from OnSide after Data Swarm in February 2014
Hi Gabrielle
I just wanted to get in touch following OnSide's participation in the charity data swarm event this
week.
When Steve Wickham (from Just Giving) initially contacted our CE a few weeks ago to offer the
opportunity of being involved in the data swarm, he firstly had to explain what a data swarm was (!)
and secondly, he led with a promise of a room of genius with the potential to unlock data for us
which could break new ground and deliver a step change for the charity. We had high expectations!
However the team, led by our fantastic data ambassadors, MvG and Richard, have absolutely
delivered.
Following Steve's call, our CE and I met to comprise our question set and, with no holds barred,
proposed (along with 2 other key questions) probably the most complex barrier to growth that we
currently experience; who [where] in England 'wants' a new Youth Zone? I have to admit, even with
my limited understanding of a data analysts world, this question was a long shot. In order to 'help',
we also prepared a list of 20 prospect towns/cities for the team to focus on. Unbelievably, the lucky
team in receipt of this question, used a complex model and sourced a great deal of external data to
analyse the behaviour of 270 local authorities across the UK in order to reveal the most favourable
geographical areas which would be receptive to the Youth Zone model. This information is the gold
dust for us, and will help to ensure that our 3-5 year investment in terms of planning for new YZ's is
not in vain.
This one example does not take away from the value of the results from across the event understanding local deprivation, our target population, who we are reaching (and how we can reach
more young people) will all help to set a robust context for the on-going sustainability and growth of
the current Youth Zone network.
As a charity, it is so unlikely that we would find ourselves in a position to be able to either access, or
fund, the type of activity which you have delivered for us this past week. It is probably the best
'volunteer' project I have ever been involved in, and I really cannot speak highly enough of the whole
team. Please pass on my unreserved thanks to everyone who played such an enthusiastic role in
supporting us.
As mentioned when we met yesterday, we would be more than happy to host a visit for you, or any
of the team, in the future and look forward to continuing our relationship with Aimia.
With kind regards
Fiona
Fiona Norcross ACMA CGMA | Head of Finance & Systems
OnSide Youth Zones | Atria, Spa Road, Bolton BL1 4AG
Tel: 01204 369294
Mob: 07957 345565
Website: www.onsideyouthzones.org
Registered Charity No. 1125893 Company No. 06591785