1. Continuity, change and holding our nerve: designing and implementing a 15 year evaluation plan

2. What is Big Local?
15 year, £220m resident-led programme with 150 areas across England
managed by Local Trust and funded by the Big Lottery Fund
builds on local talents and aspirations to create even better places to live now and in the future.
We encourage residents to have greater control over the things that matter most to them; supported by those they trust.

3. 150
Big Local areas

4. Big Local outcomes
Communities will be better able to identify local needs and take action in response to them.
People will have increased skills and confidence, so that they continue to identify and respond to needs in the future.
The community will make a difference to the needs it prioritises.
People will feel that their area is an even better place to live.

5. Our approach
Informed by learning from past community based programmes:
pace of development
starting with assets not deficits
willingness to take risks
light touch support
peer support and networking.
We believe that a resident and community led approach to creating lasting change:
develops the skills and confidence of the people involved and enables them to work with others to the benefit of their community
builds on the opportunities and assets available in each community
creates lasting, long term solutions.

6. Our evaluation
Theory of Change development and working with learning partners: IVAR and CDF
2014 ‘early years’ evaluation by NCVO, OPM and IVR
2015 evaluation framework approved by Local Trust trustees
2015 evaluation plan for

7. National strategic learning, research and evaluation
Set up
Delivery
National Big Local programme
Big Local announced by Big Lottery Fund including first 50 areas
Local Trust registered as a company limited by guarantee
Local Trust launched along with wave 2 areas
The grant (expendable endowment)
is spent
First Big Local plan endorsed
Wave 3 areas announced
The first Big Local plans have had 10 years to use £1 million
All Big Local plans endorsed by Local Trust
2010
2012
2014
2016
2018
2020
2022
2024
2026
2028
Delivered
Planned
Supporting collaborative working with Local Trust (IVAR)
What’s new and different (IVAR)
Annual learning review (IVAR)
Influences report (CDF)
Early learning from Big Local (CDF)
2010
Big Local foresighting (IVAR)
Early years
evaluation (NCVO)
National strategic learning, research and evaluation

8. Evaluation framework Element 1 Element 2 Element 3 Element 4 Element 5
Approach
Delivery
Outcomes
Impact
Influence
Local Trust takes the following approach to delivering Big Local:
resident led
asset based
community pace
opportunities for reflection
light touch support
willing to take risks.
The programme is well-managed and delivered in line with expectations of Local Trust’s trustees and the trust deed.
The programme outcomes are achieved as set out in the theory of change.
The programme contributes to lasting and sustainable change in Big Local areas.
The programme has a policy and practice impact.
Doing things differently
Delivering to meet programme objectives
Achieving programme results
Creating lasting change
Influencing others

9. Evaluation plan 1 Partnership member survey 2 Partnership review 3
Plan submission feedback 4
Plan assessments 5
Themed or ad hoc research 6
Household survey 7
Longitudinal multimedia project 8
SPHR research 9
Partner/ contractor reporting 10
Programme records 11
Programme dev’t 12
Independent evaluation 13
Desk research 14
Plan reviews

10. Delivering the evaluation
Advisory group – expertise and interest
In-house research – timely and responsive
Research provider pool – knowledge and resource
Large contracts, eg household survey – specialisms and competition
‘Independent’ evaluation – rigour and objectivity

11. Continuity Theory of change An agreed evaluation framework and plan
‘Whole’ programme focus but able to distinguish the contribution of key activities/processes/structures within the Big Local programme
Within programme ethos: is easy to interpret and implement; retains a light-touch approach, minimising demands on research respondents; reinforces continuous improvement and learning
Evaluation advisory group
Pool of research providers

12. Change
Methods enable comparison through time and over the evolution of Big Local
Evaluation plan lends itself to review and refinement as the programme and evaluation methods evolve
Changes in Local Trust and research orgs we work with, eg personnel, etc.

13. Holding our nerve?
Programme changes vs programme morphing and drifting
The pressure to show results now
Changes in and with stakeholders
Knowing what is important to ‘stand your ground’ on: interpretations and value judgements

14. Jayne Humm Programme manager 07815 596 487