Instead of bombarding us with statistics about young people's behaviour, nfpSynergy used the research to provide us with key points reinforced by real-world case studies. And each point was summarised with the relevance to Mencap. Instead of handing us a report that is thick with data, still to be interpreted and understood, nfpSynergy gave us a useful tool that can form the basis of our strategy for engaging with young people. They've saved us vast amounts of time, and have delivered something we will definitely be able to use.

It is always a pleasure to work with people who are enthusiastic, hardworking, in possession of a broad range of experience and willing to adapt their approach during project development to suit a client's changing needs. nfpSynergy's final report was crucial in our decision making process.  It ended a period of organisational speculation and allowed us to move forward from an authoritative position of knowledge and understanding.

Elizabeth Finn Care

By unlocking some of the secrets of what makes young people tick nfpSynergy helped me devise new strategies for engaging them in volunteering and fundraising - such valuable stuff! (on ‘Typical Young People’)

Sophie Randles, when she was at Leonard Cheshire Disability. She is now Head of Fundraising - Classic FM, XFM, National Events at Global Radio.

We were really pleased with the clear presentation of the findings which managed to be both succinct and comprehensive. The breaking down of results by type of drinker has really helped our work since the evaluation was completed. It was a really good project to work on.

Jane Greenstock, when she was Research Coordinator at Drinkaware. She is now Research Assistant at Social Care Institute for Excellence.

We were very happy with the way that nfpSynergy commissioned the research looking at older peoples attitudes to dying, death and bereavement. As is often the case this work was commissioned almost at the 'last minute' . nfpSynergy presented the outcomes in a very insightful way and they have definitely influenced the delivery of a very sensitive communications strategy.

John Palmer, Director of Marketing and Communications at NatCen (for Dying Matters Coalition audience insight and communications testing)

As nfpSynergy clients who attended our March Insights event and heard the presentation that forms the basis of this editorial will be aware, one of the themes to emerge in recent waves of our research is that while charitable giving levels in 2012 remain volatile, the picture is not bleak.

This seminar looked at a range of issues around charitable giving including donor motivations. It considered why some people do not support charities, how everyone might be persuaded to give and how they might be persuaded to give more.

Resilience is a key quality for leaders and managers, not just in the social sector but in all sectors. Bhaggie Patel from the Clore Social Leadership Programme worked with Joe Saxton to interview 20 leaders from the social sector, including chief executives, executive directors, board chairs and assistant directors, for their experiences of resilience. 

This report aims to raise the profile and importance of resilience for social sector leaders.

The death of Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple, in October was followed by an outpouring of collective grief around the world and eulogizing of Jobs’ contribution to the fields of business, design and technology.

Steven Levy, in his Wired Magazine obituary, wrote “[Jobs] was the most celebrated person in technology and business on the planet. No one will take issue with the official Apple statement that The world is immeasurably better because of Steve.”