Why we got involved Background of impact work at Exeter – Primary focus on individual and social impact of student engagement Preparation of charity registration – what is our Public Benefit? Adding substance to our narrative. Worked with NUS/ NUS Charity to develop project on a national scale

Social value Socially Responsible Engagement Social Value (Engagement post-degree) Social Mobility Academic Performance

Impact of SU’s: Engagement model Engagement and society – Students impact on society largely focused on economic benefits Individual return on investment Return to UK PLC – Experiences and behaviours developed at University translate to later life Leadership Volunteering – Though engagement in union activities students will deliver long-term social (& economic) benefits

Exeter Engagement Segmentation Community Organisers increase by 12% whilst at University: these are students with roles of responsibility in societies, volunteering, sports etc. Having been to Exeter our graduates are more Likely to be active citizens in their communities, with a 20% increase in the ‘Politically engaged’ than prior to university and double the percentage of ‘campaigners’.

Our Impact Project focus Having focussed on student engagement we have focussed on representative activities: – Mapping activity all the way through – Inputs – activity – output – outcomes and how we can measure these things – So if we take the sabbatical elections it would look something like...

Activities Outputs Outcomes Confidence Making friends Guild runs elections Guild Representatives to the community Improved University Empowerment Soft skills – communication, team work, confidence Recruiting Candidates Employability Inputs Evaluation of election Results Announced Guild Campaigns for voter participation Students Campaign for votes Staff fulfilment Representative Elections Guild Reputation ? Guild Representatives to the university Improved Guild Fees Political climate (all four colours) Budget Time Block grant Time Skills Representative Candidates Increased democratic engagement Voter Turnout Improved Guild processes Training Candidates & Canvassers Improved University Community Higher civic participation - stronger civic institutions Guild Mandate Attitude Students vote Additional outcomes (NUS) Guild reflects the students body Greater political interest / understanding StudentsUniversityLocal communityStudent union Planning the election Ideas to improve University, Guild and Community Manifestos drawn up Debate ? Voting Winners get jobs! Sabbatical officers Space

Indicators for outcomes Voting Empowerment Increased democratic engagement Greater political interest / understanding StudentsUniversityLocal communityStudent union Are Alumni who voted in the Sabbatical elections more likely to vote in national elections? ALUMNI SURVEY Do Students and Alumni who voted... -Feel they have a voice? -Feel that voice is listened to? -Feel that action is taken? How does this compare to students and alumni who didn’t vote? EXEQUEST SURVEY, ALUMNI SURVEY Are students and alumni who voted... -members of political parties? -standing in elections? -campaigning? -politically active? How does this compare to students and alumni who didn’t vote? EXEQUEST SURVEY, ALUMNI SURVEY How do we measure this?

General observations Current focus on measuring student opinion (NSS, internal surveys etc), don’t do this for wider stakeholders. Often unable to substantiate our impact beyond outputs. What happens if we need community support for a campaign? Do they buy-in to our credibility? Impact model as a tool: – This is potentially time intensive, however it can be flexible. – You can look at one aspect of one area as an improvement tool. – No need to do the whole organisation.

What next Carry this out for the rest of the key activities in representation. Run focus groups to see if students agree. Consult with other stakeholders (University & Community Groups). Amend existing surveys (or carry out new research) to gather data for our indicators Report internally and externally Embed in strategy and annual review.