The Impact of Impact Measurement Gayle Whelan and Lindsay Eckley Liverpool John Moores University

Research context Mapping of community assets Understanding social value and impact Impact of impact measurement Future work Summary Outline

Research context

Wirral – 310,000 population, diverse spread with areas of high deprivation and affluence just miles apart. Marked differences in social and health issues related to education, living environment, employment and lifestyle

Context Communities have a role to play in reducing health inequalities Evidence already exists about the needs and gaps in communities We want to focus on the value in communities and the resources available to draw upon

Mapping of community assets

Community Assets “Assets are any resource, skill or knowledge which enhances the ability of individuals, families and neighbourhoods to sustain their health and wellbeing” (Foot 2012).

Activity What assets do you want in your community? What or Who Why

Research aims To explore the nature of community assets and understand their impact on health and wellbeing Understand the wider impacts of assets on the social, economical and physical aspects of the community Public Value (social value) Act 2012

Social Return on Investment A framework for assessing the social, economic and environmental impact through the perspective of the key stakeholders – the people or organisations which experience change as a result of the project. It is a story of change which is expressed in ‘value’ created. Value is represented as a statement: ‘for every £1 invested in the project £x of social, environmental and economic value is created’

Asset mapping Local projects, initiatives or organisations were identified as examples of community assets Focus on the local - excluded private companies and national projects

Methods Mapping Database Thematic analysis Identification of assets for evaluation Identifying value Generating evidence on: The impact and value created by community assets

Understanding social value

Exploring impact Eleven community assets selected to represent the range of community assets in Wirral Two methods used to explore the impact and social value Qualitative case study approach Social Return on Investment

Get into Reading SROI – £6.47 Provides weekly reading sessions to vulnerable and isolated groups. The evaluation found that Get into Reading created reading communities, resulting in new friendships, a newfound love of literature and gaining of new skills. Consequently, confidence and empathy occurred which led to better understanding and acceptance of others and consideration of their views.

Life Expectancy Wirral SROI – £5.53 A faith-led initiative to bring communities from both affluent and deprived together. The initiative created many successful social outcomes, including friendships, reduced isolation and increased inclusion while boosting mental health and wellbeing by making people feel good about themselves.

Ferries Family Groups SROI – £5.20 A support network for children and their parents to nurture flourishing family relationships Mental health and wellbeing had largely improved as a result of engagement with Ferries Family Groups which led to parents making positive lifestyle changes, resulting in increased quality of life, which made families feel included in their communities, combatting loneliness and isolation.

Taiko Drumming for Health SROI – £8.58 Weekly drumming sessions for children and disabled adults Drumming led to an increase in socialising and social inclusion. Disabled adults felt more included in their community: the drumming sessions combated loneliness and isolation. Drummers reported that sessions were a form of exercise, as well as educational.

Stick ‘n’ Step SROI – £4.89 A charity offering support and therapies for families of children with cerebral palsy The learning of new skills were very important to everyday functioning – including walking, leading to greater feelings of independence. Many reported being pain-free for the day. An increase in mobility meant that young people were able to do more and were no longer as reliant on parents/carers to support them when doing everyday tasks.

The Quays SROI – £4.89 A peer-led community to support people affected by drug and alcohol to sustain their recovery Befrienders Purposeful and productive Training/education Work experience Socialising Befriendees Reduce isolation and seek further services Better family relationships

Community asset impacts Positive impact on individuals and their community 3 main themes emerged, related to:Social~ Learning of new skills ~ Health and wellbeing

Social Meeting new people, gaining new friendships and social inclusion were some of the many gains identified, all of which contribute to making resilient societies.

New skills Through assets, many people gained new skills which improved their outlook and often led to new opportunities such as volunteering and work opportunities.

Health and wellbeing Having something to look forward to and feeling better about themselves, increased mobility, exercise and in some cases reduction in reliance on healthcare including medication and GP appointments.

Discussion Can we link the assets of a community to these three key themes? Social ~ Learning of new skills ~ Health and wellbeing

Impact of impact measurement

Why explore impact of impact measurement? Short-term and long-term impacts Evidence and communication tool –Giving community assets a voice Value benefits all

Impact on Taiko Drumming Evidence of social value Project modernisation and expansion Funding secured and programme manager employed Charity status

Impact on Stick ‘n’ Step Secure further funding Develop appropriate monitoring systems Link in with other assets

Re-commissioned for a further 12 months until April 2015 Embedded WEMWBS into their monitoring The report “talks the language commissioners understand” Publicised widely locally and nationally Impact on The Quays

Expansion Sustainability Service design Monitoring and evaluation Internal and external impact

Future work

Research aims Mapping of all cultural assets in the inner Liverpool city area Baseline data taken from exploratory research conducted ahead of Liverpool’s year as European Capital of Culture in 2008.

Methodology Mapping: original database updated; new data recorded on database Analysis: thematic analysis of categories Selection of assets for impact evaluation Survey of grassroots organisations

Final work will provide a number of social value and impact case studies which will highlight the extent of Liverpool’s cultural assets, locations, and assess their impact on the wider community. Evidence the impact of the Capital of Culture year on grassroots organisations and assets.

Mersey Care NHS Trust Joining the dots: Using the cultural database, work will examine the economic value of creative interventions between Mersey care and cultural organisations, assessing the impacts of this work upon mental health and well- being, particularly in a community setting.

Summary

Asset mapping has helped understand the impact that assets have within communities Social value and impact measurement has helped evidence this Impact 2 - what has happened since?

Talking data Talk – to stakeholders, get stories Talk about the results, discuss and verify Talk about what to do next, what needs to change Talk about doing more Keep talking

Gayle Whelan Institute of Cultural Capital Dr Lindsay Eckley Applied Health and Wellbeing Partnership