Mental health and community services collect significant amounts of data, but knowing how to transform that information into a clear, compelling narrative is a critical skill. Whether communicating with funders, government, boards, partners, or the community, organisations need to be able to demonstrate need, capability, impact, and outcomes with confidence.

This practical workshop will help participants move beyond simply gathering data to understanding what it can prove, how it supports key messages, and how to use it to strengthen communication and decision-making. Drawing on expertise in business intelligence, reporting, and tender development, the session will explore how evidence can be used strategically to tell a credible and persuasive story.

Participants will learn how to:

• Identify the most useful data they already hold and recognise where gaps exist
• Use data to demonstrate service need, demand, outcomes, organisational capability, and community impact
• Turn data into clear narratives that support grant applications, tender responses, board reporting, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement
• Present information visually using simple, accessible approaches that strengthen understanding
• Avoid common pitfalls that can weaken a message or inadvertently misrepresent information

Key topics include:

Understanding your data Learn how to assess the quality and usefulness of data, identify valuable internal and external data sources, and improve data collection for future reporting and planning.

Finding the story Explore how data can be used as evidence to illustrate need, growth, outcomes, service pressures, organisational strengths, and emerging trends.

Building a narrative Develop practical approaches for linking evidence to key messages and creating clear, coherent stories that resonate with decision-makers.

Visualising data effectively Gain confidence in selecting and creating simple charts, tables, and visuals that communicate information clearly and persuasively.

What not to do Understand common mistakes in data presentation, interpretation, and visualisation, and learn how to communicate evidence ethically and credibly.

Who should attend?

This workshop is designed for mental health and community sector leaders, managers, and practitioners who are responsible for reporting, funding submissions, service planning, stakeholder engagement, advocacy, or demonstrating program impact.

Register Here