We conducted a survey to all Members of DDCVS in September this year to gauge interest in and interaction between ourselves and the voluntary and community groups that have joined as Members over the years.

We were satisfied with our response rate of 30.1% as these emails dropping into your inbox asking for your time are never popular, and this is the first time we have sent out a Members Survey.

Thank you to those 65 groups that took the time!

We are aware that the response numbers are quite small relative to our member numbers, and therefore the actions we will take according to the responses received will be small and mindful.

To that end we will be putting on an information/training session about ‘Applying for Funding’ in 2025.

Also, following on from this survey and consultation with our Members Feedback Group, DDCVS Members will receive targeted emails in the future about DDCVS training sessions or events.

This will allow Members to share details of our Training, Events and Networking opportunities easily with their own communities, and should, in theory, extend the reach of DDCVS.

The Numbers!

In terms of those 65 groups that responded to our survey; 77% have no paid members of staff and therefore we can assume are small organisations and our ‘core business’.

• 61% of those 65 groups receive our newsletter so we are double checking our communication lists and adding new contacts where appropriate.

Please note that if your chairperson steps down from your group – and s/he receives the DDCVS newsletter – we won’t know the new chairperson’s details unless you tell us!

We asked about targeted email invites as we are keen to share the ‘important stuff’ such as talks from funders; new funding opportunities; training sessions, etc in a format that you can share easily with members of your group.

• 60% of those taking part in the survey would like to receive targeted email invites.

With that in mind we are going to roll out a targeted members communication. Members will receive a targeted email in the future about a training session or event that we are hosting.

Our aim is to send no more than two a month, so with the monthly newsletter as well, you should hear from us three times a month at most.

• 23% of respondents didn’t know about training or events therefore our hope is that the above targeted members communication should help with this.

Groups that completed our survey were interested in events around funding and networking – please do look out for a Funding Fair in 2025 and a further Social Connectedness Event – a good chance to network!

• 62% of respondents requested training in applying for grants.
• 34% requested training in social media.
• 31% requested training in safeguarding.

If you have any questions about the Members survey or Membership of DDCVS in general please contact the team by emailing enquiries@ddcvs.org.uk