Do you often wish you could effectively demonstrate the impact of your work? Do you struggle to find the time to gather the thoughts and feedback of your service users?
Over the years we have worked with numerous charities who struggle when it comes to finding an appropriate, affordable solution to service user consultation and the evaluation of projects and services.
Next month, we are launching a new venture Client Voice – set up specifically to deliver this kind of feedback. Client Voice will specialise in gathering the feedback you need through consultation, research and evaluation, all with a focus on service-user engagement.
We believe that evidence-based service development, building on the expertise of service users, is integral to the development and continuation of effective projects. Also, as many of you will be aware, this is fast becoming a requirement of funders.
Louisa has previously worked with Community Research Company (CRC UK), an innovative training and research company, founded by Jon Adamson and Graham Fletcher. Their work specialised in social research and evaluation and also provided training and support for peer-led research. Louisa was involved in a number of key pieces of research including:
o Mixed-methods research – including survey, depth interviews, focus groups and a peer-led research project – funded by AstraZeneca and undertaken on behalf of National Homeless Charity, DePaul UK and as part of Making it Matter: Improving the health of homeless young people.
o The co-facilitation of training and workshops as part of a youth-led research project on child poverty in Leicestershire – the findings of which are incorporated into the 2011 report Child Poverty in Leicestershire.
o Depth interviews and focus groups with service users of Women at the Well, a day centre in Kings Cross for vulnerable women who have problems relating to prostitution, homelessness, drugs, alcohol, mental and physical ill health.
o Co-production workshops with young people for The Bank of TMC an initiative from the Mighty Creatives, the young people’s creative development agency for the East Midlands.
o Peer research training for young people identified at risk of offending and engaged in the Catch-22 project Community Space Challenge.
In 2012 Community Research Company (CRC UK) ceased operating as the partners pursued other projects. Since then, Louisa has continued to support clients with evaluation, service user engagement and supporting the co-production of services. Most recently, she undertook an evaluation with service users of an innovative pre-therapy service in Coventry, HY², with positive feedback from the client and service users who were involved:
“Thanks for all your hard work, the time and effort in pulling the evaluation together in the time frame we gave you – the results of which produced a very comprehensive evaluation which we can use to develop our services and support our fundraising applications. Additionally, I thought you would like to know that we got positive feedback regarding your approach throughout from service users who took part. They felt you were very approachable and made it comfortable for them to contribute”
Carol Benson – Counselling Project Manager, Valley House.
Before we launch Client Voice we would welcome any feedback on our new website and, of course, if you would like to find out more about how we can help then do get in touch Hannah@clientvoice.co.uk
