The value of our work is best shown through the challenges and triumphs of our beneficiaries – sharing priceless successes for men, women and communities. We have always strived to demonstrate our wider social and economic impact too.

A Social Return On Investment (SROI) evaluation of our work gives an independent assessment of our impact and the value created for all stakeholders, extending beyond just our direct programme participants and beneficiaries.

This found that for every £1 invested in our programmes, we generate £8.44 value.

To read the report in full:

Our outcomes

The SROI Evaluation identified the key ‘changes’ resulting from our activities as being:

  • Improved mental health
  • Increased self confidence
  • Improved sense of personal agency

About the author:
Nicola Lynch is an independent consultant to the voluntary, charitable and social enterprise (VCSE) sectors in the UK and the National Lead on Civil Society for Social Value UK. She is an Associate Practitioner with Social Value International.

What is Social Return On Investment?

Social Return On Investment (SROI) seeks to understand and account for change, embracing a concept of value beyond just financial value.

It is a way of quantifying the relative importance people place on the change they experience as a result of participation in a programme or activity. While it uses money as a proxy – since money is a familiar unit for conveying value – SROI is a not a cost benefit analysis. It does not analyse cost savings or fiscal benefits.

SROI looks at the value of change for people, seeking out their individual voices to demonstrate the true value of their experience.

"The most important part of our work will always be positively impacting and changing lives, but demonstrating that impact is also important. It’s a big part of earning and maintaining trust.

"Commissioning the SROI Evaluation was part of this, as well as an opportunity to really hear and learn from our stakeholders.

"The evaluation process was robust – needing investment of time, resource and then patience – but definitely worthwhile.

"We’re really proud of the outcome – both the high SROI value and the open, uplifting feedback from stakeholders."

Alasdair Jackson – Chief Executive