We give organisations the framework, tools and insight they need to increase the understanding and impact of their work.
We do this by conducting research and creating new technologies that give organisations a better picture of their work. This could be through an app, a research project or a social audit of your organisation. We work collaboratively and imaginatively to create products and services that are right for each organisation and the people that work there.
Research is where we started and it’s where we continue to lead. We work with organisations to understand their specific research needs or to help define them. We then shape the research project and put the right team and methodology in place. Our approach is individual in both senses –each research project is unique and we take the time to build great relationships with the people delivering the work. It’s this that makes for a richer research experience, improved knowledge and insights that can be easily translated into actions.
Insight shouldn’t be exclusive. We create new technologies that mean anyone can access the benefits of better information and insight every day. Our technology products, including Views, are created by experts but you don’t need to be one to use them. They are simple but smart – and help organisations think smarter about the work they’re doing.
Substance researchers work with organisations to understand the specific research needs or to help define them. We then shape the research project and put the right team in place. Our approach is individual in both senses as each research project is unique and we pride ourselves on building great relationships with the people delivering the work. It’s this that makes for a richer research experience, improved knowledge, better insights and smarter implementation.
Our experts work to understand data and insight needs and devise a data strategy which provides the information organisations need to make decisions, improve services and demonstrate impact. Views is the mechanism for putting the strategy into action. It is the market leading impact reporting database which is used by national charities, local authorities and social businesses to manage and make sense of data on a daily basis.
Substance’s researchers are expert in working alongside organisations and those within their funding portfolio to: understand the difference they are striving to make (Theory of Change), identify the approach they take to achieve their goals (Logic Models) and evaluate what’s working, what’s not working and what looks promising.
As a research and technology company, we are uniquely placed to understand organisational drivers through in-depth research and analysis and then identify smart solutions which may or may not involve technology. Where data, its collection, analysis and visualisation are part of the problem, our technologists can design bespoke technology solutions to change data from something that can be difficult to something that is indispensable.
Better insight enables us to work with organisations to design and package interventions for commissioners and funders to invest in. We understand the importance of taking an evidence based approach and how to innovate and adapt programmes for new audiences and for different contexts. We also recognise the move towards payment by results contracts and the need to co-create programmes that share risk between funders and delivery agencies.