https://www.recyclinglives.org/news/huge-return-on-investment-found-by-independent-assessment/

"An independent evaluation has found that for every £1 invested in our programmes, we create £8.44 value. The figure has been found by a Social Return On Investment (SROI) evaluation, taking into account the ‘change’ experienced by the participants and professionals who come into contact with our work. The independent analysis was commissioned to give further credibility to our programmes, allowing us to demonstrate impact using both internal, national and independent measures of success.

To reach the figure, an independent assessor sought the views and experiences of a broad range of stakeholders, from ex-offenders and prison and probation professionals to grassroots community groups. Alasdair Jackson, Chief Executive of the Charity & Social Enterprise, said:

“Although the most important part of our work will always be positively impacting and changing lives, 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 as well as the final certification from 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.By identifying and gauging the value of outcomes experienced, the evaluation ascribes value using monetary values to the overall output. This was calculated at £8.44 for every £1 invested, based on the millions of pounds of value created through outcomes like improved mental health, reduced reoffending or improved ability to provide food or avoid food waste. Set against the significant annual investment that goes into our operations, this gives the final return on investment.

The evaluation was completed in 2021 by Nicola Lynch, an independent consultant to the voluntary, charitable and social enterprise (VCSE) sectors. She is the National Lead on Civil Society for Social Value UK and an Associate Practitioner with Social Value International.
The final report has now been certified by Social Value International, confirming robustness of the evaluation and use of the key principles of social value have been followed.

Assessor Nicola Lynch added: “A huge thank you to the team at Recycling Lives and all the people who spoke so movingly and openly to me – both in person and via every digital method we could muster. Your stories of change were a privilege to hear and to hold.”
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To read the report in full, click here.

I will be redesigning my website in 2022 as it no longer really reflects the diversity & nature of my working life. In the meantime I'm leaving this up here so folk can find my contact details and I urge you to check out my Twitter feed to keep up with what I'm doing.

I am delighted to post (a little late!) that I started a fantastic new role with Social Value UK in December 2020 as their National Lead on Civil Society. I will be continuing my independent consultancy work on a slightly reduced scale for the following 12 months and look forward to continuing my work in Cumbria while expanding my advocacy work on the National stage.

“Nicola has been wonderful throughout the couple of years we have worked with her. Not only is her reporting outstanding, her work ethic, friendliness and professionalism exceed expectation.

Nicola always goes the extra mile to make you feel confident, understand the work and thrilled with the evaluation you will receive.

On our latest SROI Nicola worked with us continuously throughout the year - guiding us to make the right decisions to get the best results, setting out a clear and achievable planning structure, producing questionnaires, surveys and physically communicating with members who wished to give her further feedback, all of that before she even began work collating and evaluating the piece of work. She is quick to respond to questions, visited us in person when she could and always made us feel like No:1. 
The evaluation itself for iCan was glowing, professional and highlighted all the areas we wanted to understand more about in our business to help us grow and serve our community further. This will now help us secure further funding, prove our worth to our community, share our good work professionally and easily and enable us to appreciate the work we are doing.

I couldn’t recommend Nicola and her business enough; An exceptional women with a vital service for any business working in the third sector.”

Lisa Dykes- Managing Director of iCan Health and Fitness CIC.

Delighted to be involved in the development of Cumbrian Girls Can. See below for our recently released video which describes what we've been up to - in the voices of real Cumbrian women - much better than I can :-)

You can also read through our lovely research by visiting the website...

LynchPin Support will be closed on the the following dates over the Summer period.

29th June - 8th July 2019
25th July- 3rd August 2019
26th August - 30th August 2019

If you have an urgent query during this time relating to QL North please contact Craig White - craig.white@gaiacene.com

LynchPin Support will be closed from Friday 10th August 2018 until Tuesday 28th August 2018. 

Happy hols everyone!