Insights into higher education - social purpose organisation partnerships from the Proving Our Value project presented at the 'In Pursuit of Happiness' conference 14 April 2014

1. Collaborating on Impact
Insights on HE-SPO partnerships –
Evidence from Proving Our Value
Charlotte Hanson, South West Forum

2. University
of Bath &
BANES CAB
University
of Bristol &
Voscur
University of Exeter
& CCD
CCRI & GCCP,
Fairshares
G11, GAVCA
University of
West of
England &
WHLC

3. Enabling factors for partnership
• Realistic expectations around capacity
• Trust, openness and knowledge sharing
• Levels of buy-in & enthusiasm from SPO
practitioners & volunteers
• The role of practitioners and volunteers in
engaging beneficiaries
• Existing levels of research expertise and skills
• COMMUNICATION

4. Partnership Successes
• Better access to clients
• Better understanding of service users & SPOs
• Co-production of methodologies/tools
• Data collection from multiple partners
• Joint Analysis
• Enhanced skills/knowledge on both sides

5. Key Learning Points
1. Strong evidence of social and economic
impact & significant return on investment
Examples of added economic value Examples of economic savings
harnessing volunteers addiction problems
returning to employment and training debt management issues
resuming child care responsibilities anger management
community capacity enhanced
Economic impact of the Wellbeing Programme

6. Impact map for Young People and Community –
Gloucester City Centre Project Orienteer, P. Courtney
Activities Short term
Outcomes
Medium term
Outcomes
Long-term
OutcomesRange of
training/educational/
recreational activities
Representation in
community
Exposure to
substance mis-use
programmes and
information
Off street meetings
and gatherings as
opposed to on street
Reduced contact
with street drinkers
Increased Local
democracy/group
participation/social
networking
Increase in youth
volunteering
Greater inter-
generational activity
Improved
relationships
between youth and
police
Improved safety
and security
Increased trust,
community cohesion
& well being
Improved confidence
and self esteem
Improved
employment and
FE/HE prospects
Reduction in
juvenile crime
Improved physical
health
Improved mental
health
Reduction in
alcohol abuse
Reduction in crime
levels through
cultural shift
Reduced pressure
on health service
and criminal justice
system
Reduction in
welfare payments
and increase in tax
receipts
Facilities for
formal/informal
youth provision

7. Citizen’s Advice Bureau
Services
M.Farr et al

8. Key Learning Points
2. The value of happiness
“Happiness doesn’t
depend on any external
conditions, it is
governed by our mental
attitude” Dale Carnegie
It’s really
sorted out my
mind
Really helpful
on the
confidence side
Social
Prescribing
Skills
intervention

9. Key Learning Points
3. Importance of understanding & valuing the
client

10. 4. Methodological Observations
• Difficulties in monetising intangible outcomes
• Value /challenge of SROI approach
• No standard best fit approach to capturing
social value
• Some commonalities
– mixed methods,
– blended,
– longitudinal

11. 4. Methodological Observations...
• Impact assessment process per se is valuable
esp. Theory of Change
• Impact assessment must be proportionate to
Capacity

12. Partnership Legacy
• Influencing Policy
• Attracting investment
• Co-produced tools
• Research Legacy
• Future collaborations
• Organisational Learning