Using the Theory of Change for Meaningful Action
Thursday 7 March 2024 | 9.30am – 1.00pm | On Zoom
Members £40 | Non-members £60 | Maximum capacity 20
This half day introductory workshop will introduce you to the Theory of Change for creating meaningful action and show you how you can map out a theory of change and use it to plan small and large changes within your organisation, whether you are developing a volunteer strategy, devising new volunteering roles, tracking implementation, or measuring impact.
Every development program rests on a theory of how and why the program will work and lead to social impact. A theory of change formalises this, representing how the development program will use resources to conduct activities that can lead to changes in behaviour and improvements in people’s lives. It’s a great way to plan for meaningful change and action.
In creating a Theory of Change, important questions are asked: What is the goal that the program wants to achieve? What does the program do? What are the services arising from the program? What are the real changes in people’s lives that result from the achievement of the outputs? What will lead to the achievement of the goal of the program?
Whether you are developing a volunteer strategy, devising new volunteering roles, tracking implementation, or measuring impact, a theory of change lays out the steps necessary to achieve your goals. It’s important to map out a theory of change to ensure teams have a shared vision and a clear pathway to achieve success. A theory of change is a living document to be maintained and revisited to ensure it reflects the current program and its context.
This event will cover:
- What is a Theory of Change, why is it useful and how is it different from a logic model?
- What are the component parts of a Theory of Change? (Covering key concepts like assumptions and outcome chains)
- What kind of models might work for you?
We will use a combination of teaching and practical exercises to answer these questions.
About the speaker
Nicola Lynch is a Social Value consultant & Impact Management Specialist working across the UK & Ireland. She works closely with Social Value International and member networks in the UK & Ireland, is an SVI Accredited Trainer and she holds an Associate Trainer role with New Economics Foundation (NEF Consulting).
Alongside her consultancy she has also recently been the National Lead on Civil Society for Social Value UK and specialises in supporting the voluntary, charitable and social enterprise sectors. She is one of only 20 practitioners in the UK qualified to Advanced Practitioner status by Social Value International and her work is informed by the very best principles of stakeholder-empowered qualitative research.
She supports a wide range of organisations to understand, articulate, measure and maximise their impact through the application of the social value principles – putting people and planet first. Nicola is a regular speaker at events and a popular purveyor of workshops, training & coaching on a range of topics relevant to improving the delivery, measurement & management of both impact and value.
What are your payment and cancellation terms?
Payment must be made by the date of the event.
If you require an invoice, please ensure you book your place a minimum of two weeks before the start date of the event. After that we will only accept payment by credit card or PayPal.
Want to pay by credit card but can’t pay now? No problem! You can pay against an invoice by credit card (or PayPal): we will send you a link to do so.
As you follow the online booking process – select the payment option at checkout “Request invoice”. If you need us to add a payment reference or purchase order number to the invoice – just add it in the “Additional information” section when confirming your billing details at checkout.
You’ll receive your invoice by email once we have received your booking. You can pay for your ticket by BACS or online with a credit or debit card. Please note we no longer accept payment by cheque.
We know things happen and that sometimes you can’t come to an event. If you are unable to come, you may be able to pass your ticket on to a colleague, but if they are not an AVM member they will need to join AVM. If they don’t, they will be charged at the non-member rate.
If you have to cancel or want to arrange a swap, please let us know in writing.
- Cancellations received more than 20 days before the start of the event, regardless of date booked, will incur a 25% cancellation charge, whether the place has been paid for or not,
- Cancellations received 19–0 days before the start of the event, regardless of date booked, will incur a 100% cancellation charge, whether the place has been paid for or not.
AVM will not accept liability for people unable to attend due to circumstances outside our control, such as travel disruption, work commitments, poor internet connection, illness, or other personal commitments.
Where circumstances force AVM to cancel an event, the liability of AVM shall be limited to a refund of any fees paid for tickets to that particular event. AVM is not liable for any consequential loss, such as travel costs you may incur.
What are your accessibility arrangements?
AVM is committed to providing access to our events for everyone. We aim to hold all our events at venues that are wheelchair accessible, and make closed captions available at online events. If you have specific requirements to ensure you can fully take part in an event, please let us know when you book, or as soon as you can.
If you require a personal assistant, carer or BSL interpreter to attend the event with you, they are very welcome, and their place will be free. Please email hello@volunteermanagers.org.uk to arrange this. If you require us to source a BSL interpreter for you, please let us know at time of booking, or at least one month in advance.
AVM tries to ensure all dietary requirements are provided for, and commits to providing a menu that includes vegetarian and vegan options. Please let us know if you have specific dietary needs at the time of booking, or as soon as possible.
AVM disclaimers
Whilst the programme is correct at time of going to press, AVM reserves the right to change details of an event without notice. Alterations may occasionally be necessary due to circumstances beyond our control.
Views expressed by speakers are their own. AVM disclaims any liability for advice given, or views expressed, by any speaker at the event or in any documentation provided to delegates.
Professional photography and video production will be taking place at the event, and these images may be used on future promotional and training materials for AVM members. Please note that by attending the event, you are giving your consent for your image to be used on any AVM promotional materials or video recordings.
On the day of the event the delegate list (name, job title and organisation only) may be shared with attendees to facilitate networking. If you do not want your details in the list, please let us know at least three weeks in advance of the event. This delegate list should not be used for sales to our delegates, either during or after the event.
