Community NI and You with Leeann Brady

Name: Leeann Brady

Location: Based in Belfast, work is often regional and includes the North and Republic of Ireland.

Occupation: Research Officer for NICVA

Within your role, what do you use the web for?

"I primarily use the web for search engines to profile research. Once you have decided on the profile you then use it to refine your research."

"I'm forever looking up community and voluntary sector websites for contact and organisational details."

"To get evidence based research by combining theoretical models and practical exercises."

"I use the web to help me stay up to date with policy developments as this can influence the direction of the research."

What do you use Community NI for?

"As a researcher I will be able to use Community NI data as the foundation for statistics reducing the need for expensive and time consuming questionnaires."

"Recommended websites section."

"It will help find statistics on the size, shape and contribution of the Northern Ireland voluntary sector to economy and society, thus gaining a snapshot of the sector."

What do you see as the benefits of Community NI?

"We recently completed research on the impact of peace within East Belfast, Cavan and Strabane. These were used as case studies. Community NI gives us a vehicle to make people aware of the work that's being done and the impact of peace in these areas."

"The website will assist us to update and build a profile of the voluntary and community sector within Northern Ireland."

"This will provide us with the opportunity of disseminating the research findings to a wider audience and we'll also have the ability to look at other work that is being done which may be of relevant use."

What would be your ultimate goal for the Community NI website?

"At the touch of a button people will be able to grasp what's going on and why within Northern Ireland's voluntary and community sector ... to have evidence based research to back up research findings."