Stories Into Evidence

In early 2020, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic radically altered the operating environment of Victorian social service organisations. During the early days of the crisis, the Institute partnered with VCOSS to address an urgent need to understand the nature and impact of the service delivery adaptations occurring, and the changes to service demand experienced by organisations on the ground. Commissioned by the Department of Health and Human Services, the Stories into Evidence Project documents the Victorian community service sector’s response to the first six months of the crisis.  

Between July and September, we spoke to over 100 representatives from more than 50 community sector organisations across the state to gain an accurate picture of the sector’s experiences and learnings during this time of rapid transformation. Our research revealed an urgent need for increased funding to improve workforce demand modelling, enhance digital infrastructure and staff training within the sector, and to support further research and knowledge transfer in relation to COVID-19 adaptations.