SHAPE for charities
SHAPE is an evidence-based platform that helps charities and voluntary sector organisations understand communities, target resources effectively and deliver the greatest impact.
By bringing together data from more than 40 trusted national sources, SHAPE provides a clear and consistent picture of population need, service gaps, deprivation, health inequalities and local context. This enables charities and voluntary sector organisations to plan programmes and ensure support reaches the people and places that need it most.
For mission-driven organisations, SHAPE strengthens the ability to prioritise resources, design outreach strategies and demonstrate impact. Its intuitive mapping and analytical tools help teams identify communities facing the highest levels of need, whether related to health, employment, education, wellbeing, or access to local services. This empowers charities and voluntary sector organisations to deploy staff, funding and services where they will have the greatest benefit.
How SHAPE can support you
> Forecasting population growth and demographic change
> Visualising your estate and resources in one platform
> Creating a one-stop-shop for estate and operational data
> Travel time analysis for scenario and workforce planning
> Supporting cross-organisational working through One Public Estate partnerships
Setting a direction for the future
> Supporting resource planning to meet changing demand
> Choosing the best locations for services to provide maximum impact
> Scenario planning for changes to estate and resources
> Long term workforce planning
> Creating strategy for the future of your estate and service delivery
Maximising your resources
> Optimising utilisation of space
> Identifying sources of funding through future developments
> Creating your infrastructure strategy and delivery plans
> Understanding and defining your neighbourhoods and communities
> Monitoring take up of community services
Understanding your service users
Many charities and voluntary sector organisations use SHAPE to support programme planning and delivery, including identifying suitable locations for community hubs, employment support centres, training venues or outreach activities. By combining population insights with transport data, service provision and local infrastructure, the platform enables organisations to understand who can access their services, and who is being left behind.
A powerful tool for funding bids
SHAPE is also widely used to support bid writing, funding applications and impact reporting, helping charities evidence local need and clearly articulate why investment should be directed to particular communities. Its visualisation tools translate complex demographic and service data into compelling narratives that resonate with funders, partners and commissioners.
Data you can trust
For charities working in partnership with local authorities, NHS services, or other community organisations, SHAPE provides a shared, reliable evidence base. This helps partners align priorities, coordinate activity and reduce duplication, ensuring limited resources are used effectively and collaboratively.