Spark Change - Final Evaluation Report January 2024

Spark Change is a programme funded by the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) and five Local Authorities (funding matched the ESIF). It aims to provide tailored support for NEET young people to support them in developing the skills required to progress into employment, training or education. The programme is offered in London (Bexley, Brent, Harrow, Hackney, and Havering) for NEET young people aged 16 to 24 and young people aged 15 to 18 that are At Risk. This report unveils the findings from the research evaluating the Spark Change programme spanning from July 2022 to December 2023 and delves into the impact of the two aforementioned services. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the evaluation utilises both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. Both the interviews and the analysis of the questionnaires yielded crucial insights into the performance of Spark Change. Participants from both paths exhibited an enhancement in well-being, confidence, self-esteem, and resilience

Pathways for Recovery Interim report (January 2023)

This interim report presents the results from the research evaluating the Pathways for Recovery programme (from July 2022 to December 2022) which aims to help those most disadvantaged in our communities due to the impact of COVID-19. Specifically, it helps job seekers and inactive people, including long term unemployed and people far from the labour market who need support to get themselves back into employment.<br/

Contextualizing resilience in young people:The use of Child and Youth Resilience Measure Revised and interviews in a mixed method approach

PurposeThis paper seeks to understand the role of an innovative Employability Programme on developing the resilience of young people Not in Education Training or Employment (NEET).MethodThrough a mixed-method approach, this paper explores the individual, contextual, and social aspects that impact on individual resilience. Combining the Child and Youth Resilience Measure-Revised (CYRM-R) with qualitative interviews allows for the investigation of how context, relationships, and support shape young people’s resilience offering a holistic approach. ResultsThe quantitative results reveal a significant association between higher levels of resilience and factors such as school attendance and living in areas with lower crime rates. Lower resilience is observed among individuals experiencing higher levels of deprivation. Qualitative findings shed light on the multifaceted nature of resilience, highlighting its connection to community and society (sub-themes: education and employment, external pressure, support and access to services) as well as individual and psychological aspects (sub-themes: managing stressful situations and bouncing back). DiscussionThese findings emphasize that resilience is not a static or one-dimensional process dependent on a single factor, it is a dynamic and ongoing process influenced by multiple factors. The interactions between young people and families, friends, education providers, and other service providers play a crucial role in promoting resilience. ConclusionOverall, this research aids our understanding of how connections between all these levels can boost or limit individual resilience. It can help practitioners and policymakers understand how tailored activities, accounting for multiple aspects, are able to improve individual resilience

Pathways for Recovery Interim report (January 2023)

This interim report presents the results from the research evaluating the Pathways for Recovery programme (from July 2022 to December 2022) which aims to help those most disadvantaged in our communities due to the impact of COVID-19. Specifically, it helps job seekers and inactive people, including long term unemployed and people far from the labour market who need support to get themselves back into employment.<br/

Homes2Inspire Final Report - April 2024

Prospects, Homes2Inspire, and Northamptonshire Children’s Trust formed a partnership leading to a project that embeds a Health and Wellbeing Officer into the support available in the Children’s Home, alongside existing Children’s Home Staff1. This role seeks to provide two key benefits. First, the Health and Wellbeing Officer is expected to improve children and young people's mental health and wellbeing, and second, in doing this, it is believed to have an impact on the ability of staff to develop a meaningful and stable relationship with children and young people, improve children and young people’s health and wellbeing, and also to improve staff’ wellbeing and job satisfaction. The purpose of this research is to investigate if the above mentioned changes have occurred with the introduction of the Health and Wellbeing Officer.To evaluate the programme both quantitative and qualitative data were collected from April 2023 to January 2024. The quantitative data presented in this report were gathered through an online questionnaire that captured the responses of staff. In total, 38 questionnaires were collected (29 at the beginning and nine at the end of the evaluation) with a focus on the Homes2Inspire environment, their wellbeing, and their job engagement. The qualitative data collection consisted of six interviews with staff members, a case study with one young person, and quotations from staff provided by Homes2Inspire. Moreover, social impact figures were shared by Homes2Inspire to allow for comparisons from 2022 to 2023. Overall, the introduction of the Health and Wellbeing Officer had an impact on several aspects of the programme. Homes2Inspire provides support for children and young people by increasing their wellbeing, self-confidence, and autonomy. The integration of the Health and Wellbeing Officer had a positive impact on the managers and the staff members who can now confide in support in helping the children and young people's development. Moreover, the integration of the Health and Wellbeing Officer has had a demonstratable social impact for 2022 and 2023, with an overall social impact of £495,236.47

Pathways for Recovery Final report

This interim report presents the results from the research evaluating the Pathways for Recovery programme (from July 2022 to November 2023) which aims to help those most disadvantaged in our communities due to the impact of COVID-19. Specifically, it helps job seekers and inactive people, including long term unemployed and people far from the labour market who need support to get themselves back into employment. The research evaluation outlines the experiences of programme participants and delivery partners, using a mixed method approach. The quantitative data presented in this report were gathered through an online questionnaire (shared in English, Ukrainian, and Polish) on the employment and psychological benefits, in particular self-efficacy and well-being, of the programme. Qualitative data were collected through a comprehensive set of interviews involving programme participants and delivery partners. The combination of both quantitative and qualitative data provides a holistic understanding of the program's impact and effectiveness.<br/

Building Better Opportunities: Working Progress - Final Report 2019 – 2023 (Phase 2)

Northamptonshire has a mixture of rural and urban areas, with several issues that need attention, including support for an ageing population, poverty, health, and well-being (Paterson-Young, Hazenberg, and Brylka, 2017). A key problem that affects Northamptonshire is the relatively high level of unemployment among individuals who are categorised as economically active. Unemployment, especially long-term unemployment, significantly impacts on an individual’s life (Eden and Aviram, 1993; Meyers and Houssemand, 2010). This report presents the results from the Phase 2 research evaluating BBO Working Progress programme between August 2019 (the beginning of the evaluation) and January 2023 (the end). BBO Working Progress aims to help unemployed and economically inactive adults across Northamptonshire gain training, education, volunteering opportunities, and employment. The research evaluation outlines the experiences of programme participants and delivery partners, using a mixed method approach complemented by the Social Impact Matrix©. Quantitative data, through online questionnaires, captured the responses of 568 programme participants on the psychological benefits, in particular self-efficacy and well-being, and employment benefits of the programme. Further quantitative data was collected from 47 programme participants, delivery partners and other organisations on the consequences of Covid-19 on BBO Working Progress. Qualitative data consisted of 67 semi-structured interviews with participants, delivery partners, and external stakeholders focused on the needs of programme participants and the programme performance

Pathways for Recovery Annual Report (July 2023)

Unemployment, especially long term unemployment, has significant negative effects on individual and community well-being.These negative effects have been exacerbated by COIVD-19 pandemic. Pathways for Recovery is a part funded European Social Fund, South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP) wide comprehensive employment support initiative delivered by a regional partnership including specialist support providers, employment and skills organisations and strategic stakeholders. It helps job seekers and economically inactive people, including people experiencing long term unemployed and people far from the labour market who need support to get themselves back into employment. This report presents the results from the research evaluating the Pathways for Recovery programme (from July 2022 to April 2023) which aims to help those most disadvantaged in our communities due to the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Spark Change - Final Evaluation Report January 2024

Spark Change is a programme funded by the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) and five Local Authorities (funding matched the ESIF). It aims to provide tailored support for NEET young people to support them in developing the skills required to progress into employment, training or education. The programme is offered in London (Bexley, Brent, Harrow, Hackney, and Havering) for NEET young people aged 16 to 24 and young people aged 15 to 18 that are At Risk. This report unveils the findings from the research evaluating the Spark Change programme spanning from July 2022 to December 2023 and delves into the impact of the two aforementioned services. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the evaluation utilises both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. Both the interviews and the analysis of the questionnaires yielded crucial insights into the performance of Spark Change. Participants from both paths exhibited an enhancement in well-being, confidence, self-esteem, and resilience

Pathways for Recovery Final report

This interim report presents the results from the research evaluating the Pathways for Recovery programme (from July 2022 to November 2023) which aims to help those most disadvantaged in our communities due to the impact of COVID-19. Specifically, it helps job seekers and inactive people, including long term unemployed and people far from the labour market who need support to get themselves back into employment. The research evaluation outlines the experiences of programme participants and delivery partners, using a mixed method approach. The quantitative data presented in this report were gathered through an online questionnaire (shared in English, Ukrainian, and Polish) on the employment and psychological benefits, in particular self-efficacy and well-being, of the programme. Qualitative data were collected through a comprehensive set of interviews involving programme participants and delivery partners. The combination of both quantitative and qualitative data provides a holistic understanding of the program's impact and effectiveness.<br/