Third Sector Research Centre launches gateway to voluntary sector researchPress release. 14 October 2011 From today, anyone needing evidence on issues concerning the voluntary sector can search the new Third Sector Knowledge Portal. The Portal was launched by TSRC at the British Library, at an event to showcase the first three years of work by the Centre. It has been built in partnership with the British Library and funded by £200,000 from the Big Lottery Fund. Access the portal now or go to www.tsrc.ac.uk. A one-stop knowledge resource, the Portal brings together evidence on a range of subjects including policy, social and economic impact and funding and will help inform the work of researchers, policymakers, academics, frontline service providers and other VCS stakeholders across the country. The Portal is a growing resource that will provide access to a range of materials, including academic research, reports produced by voluntary organisations, government publications and training materials. It will offer free downloadable content wherever possible*, as well as linking users to books and other materials via the British Library. The Portal will also enable others to share and preserve their research. TSRC is working in partnership with organisations and individuals to make their collections available, and welcomes contact from those with relevant research. Depositing material in the Portal will help it reach a wider audience, bridging the gap between research and the expertise of those working in and with the sector. Pete Alcock, Director of TSRC said “TSRC believes in the importance of evidence to inform decision and policy making. As well as helping to develop evidence on the sector, we are committed to increasing the capacity of the sector to use research. This Portal will make it easier for people to find and use the wide range of research resources on the sector.” Peter Wanless, Chief Executive of BIG who launches the Portal today, said: “The voluntary and community sector is not short of evidence reviews, research or information but it is often fragmented and difficult to access and the Big Lottery Fund is delighted to be able to offer support in addressing this issue.” “As an Intelligent Funder, BIG is convinced that many of the solutions to deep rooted social problems can be found in sharing and building on existing effective practice. A resource such as this, which enables those working in a field of social interventions to compare notes with each other and to add to the evidence of what seems to work on the ground, is key to bringing about long lasting positive changes to those most in need.” | 
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