Continuity, change and holding our nerve: designing and implementing a 15 year evaluation plan

What is Big Local? 15 year, £220m resident-led programme with 150 areas across England managed by Local Trust and funded by the Big Lottery Fund builds on local talents and aspirations to create even better places to live now and in the future. We encourage residents to have greater control over the things that matter most to them; supported by those they trust.

150 Big Local areas

Big Local outcomes Communities will be better able to identify local needs and take action in response to them. People will have increased skills and confidence, so that they continue to identify and respond to needs in the future. The community will make a difference to the needs it prioritises. People will feel that their area is an even better place to live.

Our approach Informed by learning from past community based programmes: pace of development starting with assets not deficits willingness to take risks light touch support peer support and networking. We believe that a resident and community led approach to creating lasting change: develops the skills and confidence of the people involved and enables them to work with others to the benefit of their community builds on the opportunities and assets available in each community creates lasting, long term solutions.

Our evaluation 2010-2014 Theory of Change development and working with learning partners: IVAR and CDF 2014 ‘early years’ evaluation by NCVO, OPM and IVR 2015 evaluation framework approved by Local Trust trustees 2015 evaluation plan for 2015-2026

National strategic learning, research and evaluation Set up Delivery National Big Local programme Big Local announced by Big Lottery Fund including first 50 areas Local Trust registered as a company limited by guarantee Local Trust launched along with wave 2 areas The grant (expendable endowment) is spent First Big Local plan endorsed Wave 3 areas announced The first Big Local plans have had 10 years to use £1 million All Big Local plans endorsed by Local Trust 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022 2024 2026 2028 Delivered Planned Supporting collaborative working with Local Trust (IVAR) What’s new and different (IVAR) Annual learning review (IVAR) Influences report (CDF) Early learning from Big Local (CDF) 2010 Big Local foresighting (IVAR) Early years evaluation (NCVO) National strategic learning, research and evaluation

Evaluation framework Element 1 Element 2 Element 3 Element 4 Element 5 Approach Delivery Outcomes Impact Influence Local Trust takes the following approach to delivering Big Local: resident led asset based community pace opportunities for reflection light touch support willing to take risks. The programme is well-managed and delivered in line with expectations of Local Trust’s trustees and the trust deed. The programme outcomes are achieved as set out in the theory of change. The programme contributes to lasting and sustainable change in Big Local areas. The programme has a policy and practice impact. Doing things differently Delivering to meet programme objectives Achieving programme results Creating lasting change Influencing others

Evaluation plan 1 Partnership member survey 2 Partnership review 3 Plan submission feedback 4 Plan assessments 5 Themed or ad hoc research 6 Household survey 7 Longitudinal multimedia project 8 SPHR research 9 Partner/ contractor reporting 10 Programme records 11 Programme dev’t 12 Independent evaluation 13 Desk research 14 Plan reviews

Delivering the evaluation Advisory group – expertise and interest In-house research – timely and responsive Research provider pool – knowledge and resource Large contracts, eg household survey – specialisms and competition ‘Independent’ evaluation – rigour and objectivity

Continuity Theory of change An agreed evaluation framework and plan ‘Whole’ programme focus but able to distinguish the contribution of key activities/processes/structures within the Big Local programme Within programme ethos: is easy to interpret and implement; retains a light-touch approach, minimising demands on research respondents; reinforces continuous improvement and learning Evaluation advisory group Pool of research providers

Change Methods enable comparison through time and over the evolution of Big Local Evaluation plan lends itself to review and refinement as the programme and evaluation methods evolve Changes in Local Trust and research orgs we work with, eg personnel, etc.

Holding our nerve? Programme changes vs programme morphing and drifting The pressure to show results now Changes in and with stakeholders Knowing what is important to ‘stand your ground’ on: interpretations and value judgements

Jayne Humm Programme manager 07815 596 487 Jayne.humm@localtrust.org.uk