A new report by Social Value Lab has been launched. The report measures the social impact arising from Project Search in North Lanarkshire.
Project Search is a ground-breaking initiative that has supported 15 young people with learning disabilities and provided them with a targeted programme of employment training and support in Wishaw General Hospital. The students are with the project for the academic year and in that time complete three different placements in the hospital. The programme involves a range of partners including NHS Lanarkshire, North Lanarkshire Council, Motherwell College, and Serco.
Through the research we identified a range of important outcomes for the students, their families and other stakeholders. Students gained an increase in confidence, more structure and purpose in their lives, greater independence, a variety of health benefits, and ultimately a better quality of life. Parents benefit from more time to devote to other things, peace of mind from the progress made by their son/daughter, and improved family relationships.
Commenting on the report at the launch, Service Manager for Project Search Maureen Cook said:
“Moving into jobs makes a huge difference to the lives of Project Search participants. The report shows their quality of life also improves … it’s pleasing that we’re achieving what we set out to do.”
Based on a Social Return on Investment (SROI) methodology – a form of social cost-benefit analysis – we quantified the programme’s outcomes, monetised their value and gave them a reality check by discounting for the contribution of others (attribution), what would happen anyway (deadweight) and a sensitivity analysis on some of our assumptions.
The research found that for every £1 invested in the programme almost £4 of social return resulted.
You can download the full report here.
For further information contact Rick Rijsdijk at rick@socialvaluelab.org.uk.