Case study
How CACI support British Red Cross identify those in need of support
Summary
The British Red Cross was founded in 1870. The charity’s most important value is kindness. It helps anyone, anywhere in the UK and around the world, to get the support they need if crisis strikes.
The British Red Cross saw very high demand for its services in the UK during the COVID-19 outbreak. When the pandemic started, the Red Cross needed to undertake a huge response to help the most vulnerable individuals and communities in the UK, reaching over 1.5 million people with food, medicine, cash, emotional support and other help and advice. Thousands of extra volunteers joined the charity, helping it to support those who are suffering all kinds of hardship and distress because of the situation.
Company size
5,000
Industry
Non-profit
Products used
Challenge
Identify local areas where there was a need for charity help and support
Ensure services are being allocated to those with the greatest needs
Solution
CACI offered The British Red Cross a three-month trial of its Vulnerability Indicators. After validating the potential of the data during the trial period, the charity took out a subscription. The British Red Cross used CACI’s Vulnerability Indicators to index UK households in every neighbourhood (or MSOA – Middle Layer Super Output Area). Their modelling revealed locations where people were most likely to be in need of support, based on either their clinical, financial, socioeconomic and digital vulnerability as well as wider health and wellbeing factors.
Information that showed the prevalence of single-person households in an area combined with the Vulnerability Indicators was used to augment food vulnerability mapping. The British Red Cross identified households with limited access to third party and community support, creating a priority need for volunteer engagement.
Results
Vulnerability modelling enabled the British Red Cross to deploy volunteers in the right places, meet emerging needs and advocate for targeted financial and practical support for the most vulnerable people at this time.
By defining areas where financial vulnerability is greatest, The British Red Cross applied local knowledge about available support or facilities. Volunteers helping individuals and families access these. If they’re insufficient, vulnerability model insight helps community organisations and charities make a strong case for grant or lottery funding to help improve, using granular data evidence that relates to a specific area.
Where digital vulnerability is a key issue, such as for people living alone without technology skills or facilities, the British Red Cross can reach out to householders using leaflet drops or doorstep visits to offer assistance and information. The British Red Cross also made its vulnerability and resilience modelling and analysis freely available via public web portals.
