Research & Impact Charlotte Hanson – South West Forum & Dom Jinks – University of Exeter

Talking About Impact Charlotte Hanson, Research Project Manager, South West Forum

Proving Our Value “Demonstrating the economic impact of social actions undertaken by social purpose organisations” South West Forum in partnership with HEI: – University of Bristol, Capacity Building Cluster – 5 Research Partnerships across the region

Research partnerships Sub-sectorHigher Education Institution Social Purpose Organisation Geography Health & Well-being (mental health) UWEWell Spring Healthy Living Centre The Care Forum Bristol Employment & SkillsUniversity of ExeterCommunity Council of Devon Okehampton (Devon) Financial /Legal Advice (CAB) University of BathCAB BANES CAB Bath & North East Somerset InfrastructureUniversity of BristolVOSCURBristol Other (Community) University of Gloucestershire GAVCA + 3 SPOsGloucestershire

The Policy Context – ALL CHANGE Emerging New Structures Localism & personalisation Open Public Services White paper – Open Data – Outcomes based commissioning – Payment by Results – Community-based commissioning Social Value Bill

‘Any change resulting from an activity, project, or organisation. It includes intended as well as unintended effects, negative as well as positive, and long-term as well as short-term.’ (NCVO 2010) What is impact?

Why Measure your Impact? To understand and value change - moving from outputs to outcomes Provide information to funders and other stakeholders on your unique contribution To provide information to investors on their ‘return’ For organisational planning

Key Points for Impact Assessment Be clear why you want to talk about impact as an organisation Embed impact in your organisation Be clear about your outcomes Know your audience Be proportionate Collaborate

Some resources to get going New Economics Foundation (NEF) Charities Evaluation Services - -Outcomes Champions NCVO - Value of Infrastructure Program. The Guild - Measuring the economic and social impact of local Services The Young Foundation - Supporting local social enterprise

South West Forum Contact us for support and information southwestforum.org.uk/provingourvalue southwestforum.org.uk

Dom Jinks Head of Arts & Culture Services University of Exeter

Focus Role of University Research vs Evaluation Examples Resources

Role of University Money for impact and research? Research is a key strand of University’s Arts & Culture programme Expertise. Projects specifically investigating the arts. Externally funded Assistance with Arts Funding – Arts and Humanities Research Council. Welcome Trust, Leverhulme Trust, Garfileld Weston, Esme Fairbairn, REACT.....

Research vs Evaluation Work out which is more appropriate for your work Are you trying to capture something to further make the case for funding? Are you investigating a previously unearthed area? Where can you find the appropriate person to help you? Can you do this in-house?

Research vs Evaluation Research Understands what the situation is, but then probes into why the situation is that way and how we can better understand the situation with regard to developing, expanding, and testing various theories Unique context Evaluation Attempting to make a value judgment about the merit or worth of a programme, product, or process we judge the worth of the programme based on criteria and standards Making the case Can use research methodologies (qualitative & quantitative).

Singing for health

Steven Clift – Sydney De Haan Centre Focusing on impact of singing in community groups for people with enduring mental health issues Surveyed various groups people from UK, Germany and Australia 3 basic questions 24 statements about potential effect of activity Evaluation as a larger piece of research

Visual Arts and PTSD in soldiers Study by Dr Lukas Konopka (Prof of Neurology, Chicago University) Impact of art therapy on Soldiers suffering with PTSD – use of visual arts Brain scanning and EEG measures Demonstrated repair of brain areas affected by PTSD

Thankyou