Viz For Social Good: Empowering Noise Solution Through Data Storytelling
At Viz for Social Good, our mission is to empower nonprofits with data-driven visualizations that amplify their impact. Since we started the live volunteer events in 2019, VFSG has been at the forefront of connecting data visualisation enthusiasts with non-profit organisations, hosting nearly 20 volunteer live submission events. Each project represents a unique opportunity for our volunteers to apply their skills in service of a greater cause, and for nonprofits to harness the power of data storytelling.
We had the incredible opportunity to collaborate with Noise Solution, a UK-based organization that uses music mentorship to improve the well-being of at-risk youth. This project brought together some of our most talented volunteers to create data tools that will help Noise Solution demonstrate the transformative power of their work in new and innovative ways.
The Project: Visualizing the Impact of Music Mentorship
Noise Solution’s unique approach combines music, mentoring, and a commitment to transparency, using data to showcase their impact. For years, they’ve aimed to make their well-being data accessible and real-time, allowing stakeholders to engage directly with the results of their programs. Through this project, our volunteers were able to bring that vision closer to reality, using their skills to create interactive data tools that help Noise Solution tell their story in a way that’s both engaging and impactful.
Reflecting on their experience with pro bono projects, Simon Glenister, CEO/Founder of Noise Solution, shared:
“Pro bono work can often be quite hit or miss—sometimes it's great, sometimes it's not. I can genuinely say hand on heart that this has been amazing. We are absolutely delighted with the work that's been done.” — Simon Glenister
Our recent virtual showcase featured four standout presentations that impressed Noise Solution’s executives and highlighted the transformative potential of data visualization in the nonprofit sector. Michael Owor, whose visualization was chosen by Noise Solution, was not available to present.
Gena Falzon’s Data Interrogation Tool: Professional, Insightful, and Engaging
Gena Falzon kicked off the showcase with a sophisticated data interrogation tool designed to explore participant well-being changes across various demographics. Her tool was user-friendly, visually aligned with Noise Solution’s brand, and packed with insights. You can explore Gena's work through her interactive dashboard here.
“The attention to detail was amazing... I would quite happily take this into a meeting with a head of Social Services or whoever else we talk to as Commissioners, knowing it would absolutely blow their minds.” — Simon Glenister
Gena’s tool not only met the organization’s needs but also equipped them with a powerful resource for communicating their impact to funders and stakeholders.
Shazeera Zawawi’s Data Sonification: Making Data Musical
Shazeera Zawawi brought a unique twist to data visualization with her data sonification approach, turning data into musical notes that reflect the well-being journey of Noise Solution’s participants. This creative and playful approach aligned perfectly with the organization’s musical roots. You can listen to Shazeera’s innovative work on her data sonification dashboard here.
“Just brilliant!! I have never heard of data sonification before. We are a music organization right? The playfulness of this aligns beautifully with what we do. Imagine presenting our well being data in graphical forms with a cute little tune playing in the background? It would make that data stick in people's heads.” — Damian Ribbans, Operations Director, Noise Solution
Shazeera’s approach not only made the data accessible but also added an emotional and engaging layer that resonated with Noise Solution’s mission.
Tanya Lomskaya’s Social Engagement Visualization: Unveiling the Connections
Tanya Lomskaya’s presentation focused on visualizing the social engagement within Noise Solution’s programs. Her dynamic and visually stunning visualization mapped the connections between participants and their support networks, showcasing the depth of interaction that often goes unseen. Check out Tanya’s detailed work on her interactive dashboard here.
“We really struggle with getting across to people the depth and breadth of communication around the digital stories that we create. This data visualization is absolutely perfect for that.” - Simon Glenister
Tanya’s tool solved a critical challenge for Noise Solution, making the invisible connections visible and highlighting the community effort behind each participant’s success.
Priya Yogendra Rana’s Analytical Dashboard: Data Intelligence for Strategic Insights
Priya Yogendra Rana’s dashboard took a deeper dive into the data, analyzing the relationships between social media engagement and well-being outcomes. Her work provided Noise Solution with a structured approach to uncover actionable insights and shape future strategies. Explore Priya’s analytical work on her interactive dashboard here.
“This is one that we’re really interested in interrogating and changing numbers to figure out answers to questions. It’s about data intelligence, and you've given us a beautiful structure to be able to go and do that. This is grown-up data work.” — Damian Ribbans
Priya’s analysis suggested that encouraging more social media interaction could boost participant well-being, providing valuable guidance for the organization’s next steps.
Reflections from Noise Solution: A Collaborative Success
The feedback from Noise Solution’s executives was overwhelmingly positive. Simon and Damian expressed their excitement about the potential of these tools, not just for Noise Solution but as examples for the entire sector. Their reflections underscored the transformative power of combining data, storytelling, and creativity—a combination that lies at the heart of what we do at Viz for Social Good.
Celebrating Community and Impact
The success of this collaboration is a testament to the dedication of our volunteers and the power of community-driven projects. Frederic Fery, Operations Director at Viz for Social Good, reflected on the value of these partnerships:
“We can demonstrate that data and storytelling work well together, creating a very powerful combination. It’s inspiring to see how our volunteers have helped tell better stories, enabling Noise Solution to reach more people and secure more funding.” — Frederic Fery
The numbers speak volumes about the dedication of our volunteers:
52 total submissions
1200 hours of volunteer work
An estimated $100,000 worth of consulting services
These figures not only highlight the scale of our impact but also underscore the immense value our community brings to non-profit organizations.
Looking Forward: The Road Ahead
This project is just the beginning. The tools created by our volunteers have the potential to be integrated into Noise Solution’s ongoing work, helping them demonstrate impact, secure funding, and inspire change. The collaboration has also opened up new possibilities for how data can be used in the nonprofit sector, particularly in showing that data can be both informative and engaging.
A Heartfelt Thank You
We want to extend our deepest thanks to Noise Solution for their openness, collaboration, and dedication to making a difference. We also want to thank our incredible volunteers whose creativity, expertise, and passion turned this project into a success. Your work is not just helping a single organization but is setting a new standard for how data can drive social good.
At Viz for Social Good, we are committed to continuing this journey, supporting more nonprofits, and using data to create meaningful change. If you’d like to get involved, support our mission, or learn more about our projects, please visit our website or follow us on social media. Together, we can harness the power of data to make a difference.