Building Better Opportunities Programmes in D2N2 release Year 3 evaluation reports

The Building Better Opporunities programmes have been delivering across the D2N2 area for 3 years and have now released their findings from their third-year evaluation. Once again there is an increase in the participants on each strand and all have secured an extension of the programme until 2022.

The key highlight in all reports is the number of people that are approaching the programme with mental health or at least one long term health condition.

The focus for the strands was to try and attract more people to the programme who are economically inactive and who were looking to exit into education or training, job search or employment.

BBO programmes have used their evaluations to highlight “what works” for the participants. All projects have increased the number of participants benefitting from the programme and that the needs of participants are often complex.

Opportunity and Change, over the last three years (1/10/16 – 30/09/19) has supported 875 individuals facing severe multiple disadvantage to move closer towards the workplace; 225 (34.6%) more than the initial target.  The Opportunity and Change report also highlighted that:

• The majority (76%) participants had two (38.3%) or three (37.7%) support needs at their initial need assessment
• The project has supported a total of 62 participants into education or training, 68 into employment and 36 into active job searching upon leaving the project
• A total of 295 participants engaged with some form of 1-2-1 job coaching and support from their Navigator
• 59 Opportunity and Change participants undertook voluntary work
• Of the 875 participants supported on the project:

1. 5% made significant progress in relation to addressing a substance misuse issue
2. 3% made progress in relation to their mental health and wellbeing
3. 3% made housing-related progress
4. 6% accessed support in relation to domestic abuse
5. 0% participants reduced their risk of offending

• The report highlights that participants who engage with group-based learning and therapeutic activities whilst accessing Opportunity and Change are more likely to achieve an outcome or result

• As a result of engaging with the Opportunity and Change Care Act team, by the end of September 2019, 59 participants had been allocated some form of provision under The Care Act (2015). Within this group, 23 individuals had been awarded a personal budget to pay for additional care and support.

Money Sorted have worked with 821 new participants. This is 70 more than year two of the programme.  The Money Sorted report also highlights that:

• 31.3% of referrals to the programme came from the diverse community host organisations helping to deliver the programme and 23% were self – referrals.
• 128 participants have moved into employment and self-employment. These participants had been out of work for an average of 2 years.
• 67% feel that they are living in an unmanageable debt situation – a 10% increase on year two of the programme
• Stakeholder Managers have added value to the employment and skills landscape in D2N2 and the LA in which they are hosted.

Towards Work have worked with 2516 participants. The Towards Work report also highlights that:

• 91% of participants are more confident to look for training and employment opportunities
• 82% of participants feel more optimistic about the future.

The following Towards Work infographics provide more detail.

Opportunity & Change Year 3 Evaluation Report

Money Sorted Year 3 Evaluation Report | Executive Summary

Towards Work Year 3 Evaluation Report | Executive Summary