Measuring outcomes and impact
CRESR has substantial expertise in the evaluation of projects and programmes, including assessments of the impact, and economic and social value of outcomes from interventions. We undertake evaluations of complex programmes: for instance, the evaluation of New Deal for Communities, the largest and most comprehensive evaluation of an area-based programme ever commissioned; and the evaluation of Futurebuilders - the first evaluation of a UK government programme to use Social Return on Investment methodology. We also work extensively with agencies in the public and voluntary and community sectors, using a range of methods to identify the impact and value of their work. We take a pragmatic approach to evaluation: not subscribing to a particular tool or approach, but working closely with clients to understand their needs, and using appropriate methodologies to produce robust assessments which can be used to inform service delivery and investment decisions.
Our expertise includes:
- development of bespoke evaluation frameworks including tools for self-evaluation
- measuring and valuing outputs and outcomes
- establishing impact and additionality
- calculating Social Return on Investment
- cost-benefit analysis.
Evaluation needs of Better Care Fund partnerships in Yorkshire and the Humber
Project Director: Sarah Pearson
Project Duration: 2015-2016
This project will identify the evaluation needs of Better Care Fund partnerships in the Yorkshire and Humber region. It will gather intelligence on their evaluation training and capacity building needs and the nature and topic of evaluation requirements, as well as identifying existing evaluation assets. Ultimately the evidence will be used to inform the development of an evaluation network in the region, to support the commissioning and delivery of health and social care services under the Better Care Fund.
Oldham Warm Homes Service evaluation
Project Director: Dr Will Eadson
Project Duration: 2013-2015
An evaluation of a ‘whole household’ approach to fuel poverty. This included impact analysis of a range of different interventions, and involved valuation of outcomes with respect to its impact on health and wellbeing.
Stockport Council NESTA evaluation
Project Director: Sarah Pearson
Project Dates: 2014-2015
This project comprises a process and impact evaluation of the Stockport Targeted Prevention Programme. The programme is seeking to develop local capacity to increase the role of volunteers within the delivery of services to people with long term conditions, which support them to stay healthy and independent.
The evaluation will employ a range of research methods to gather qualitative and quantitative data to address a number of questions: What impact has the programme had on people in Stockport with long term conditions? What is working well? What isn’t working well? What are the reasons for this?
Recession, Resilience and Rebalancing Social Economies in Northern Ireland's Neighbourhoods
Project Director: Professor Paul Hickman
Project Duration: 2012-2015
This four year study into recession, resilience and rebalancing in Northern Ireland's disadvantaged neighbourhoods was funded by the Office for First Minister and Deputy First Minister.
An SROI Evaluation of Sheffield Family Learning Generation Link Project
Project Director: Chris Dayson
Project Duration: 2012-2014
We are supporting Sheffield Family Learning to implement an SROI evaluation of their Big Lottery funded Generation Link Project.
Get in touch
For further information please contact Professor Peter Wells at p.wells@shu.ac.uk or call 0114 225 6262, or Sarah Pearson at s.pearson@shu.ac.uk or call 0114 225 4902.
Key clients
Age UK
Bolton CVS
Church Urban Fund
CLAHRC Yorkshire and Humberside
Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care for South Yorkshire (CLAHRC SY)
European Women’s Audiovisual Network
Foundations Independent Living Trust (FILT)
GMCVO
Healthwatch Lambeth
Heritage Lottery Fund
Holocaust Memorial Day Trust
Lambeth Council
NHS England
Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action
Northern Rock Foundation
Oldham Council
Power to Change
Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council
Trussell Trust
United Utilities
Yorkshire Adoption Agency