Social Research ¦ Market Research ¦ Behavioural Insight ¦ Evaluation ¦ SROI
Social Research ¦ Market Research ¦ Behavioural Insight ¦ Evaluation ¦ SROI
Background and Objectives: M·E·L Research was tasked with conducting an SROI evaluation of the Blue Prescribing project implemented by Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) at Steart Marshes, in conjunction with a similar evaluation at WWT’s London Wetland Centre. The Blue Prescribing initiative aimed to leverage the therapeutic benefits of nature by involving individuals with mental health issues in group activities based in wetland environments. The project sought to quantify the social value generated and better understand the positive changes experienced by participants.
Approach: The evaluation involved a comprehensive approach to gather data and insights. The team engaged regularly with WWT staff, conducted a site visit to Steart Marshes, and conducted online and telephone interviews with WWT staff, participants, and referral agency representatives. Additionally, group discussions with former participants and volunteers were held. To quantify outcomes and their causality, we conducted an online survey, telephone interviews, and a WWT-organized group session to re-confirm findings and discuss causality. Multiple stages of assessment and analysis were performed during the evaluation.
Stakeholders and Inputs: While considering a broad range of stakeholders, the primary focus was on the participants of the Blue Prescribing program. The evaluation also collected input and evidence from WWT staff, volunteers, and referral agency staff. Inputs for the SROI calculation were primarily sourced from the Government’s Green Recovery Challenge Fund, along with costs associated with referral agency staff travel, Mental Health Foundation (MHF) support, and WWT volunteer time. The total input value amounted to £69,124.
Key Outcomes and Factors: Through qualitative analysis, the evaluation identified five key outcomes for participants at Steart Marshes:
Four key factors were identified as contributors to the effectiveness of activities at Steart Marshes:
Quantifying Outcomes: Data for outcome quantification was gathered through participant responses, link worker estimates, and project staff notes. The analysis revealed the following outcome distribution across participants:
• Reduced anxiety: 70%
• Improved mental health management and enjoyment of life: 60% each
• Improved physical health: 50%
• Reduction in medication use: 5%
The evaluation also assessed the duration of outcomes, with some lasting beyond the year of activity.
Valuing Outcomes: Assigning financial value to intangible outcomes requires a creative approach but one that is proportional and acceptable to external reviews. MEL Research are part of Social Value UK, which gives us access to a range of proxy resources as well as third parties who can review financial proxies. For this SROI we used a financial proxy based on a revealed preference approach to valuation, then used this value as the basis for other outcomes using average weightings provided by participants for all outcomes.
For example, owning a dog was repeated by a few participants during fieldwork. This provides companionship and helps to get people outdoors on dog walks. Furthermore, studies have also shown that having a pet can also reduce anxiety and boost mental health. We have therefore taken the cost of owning a dog as a revealed preference value and used it for the ‘improved physical health’ outcome, the closest fit among outcomes in this evaluation.
Participants also provided weighting for outcomes, and which were most important to them. This suggests that coming off medication was rated highest, at 10, albeit by the few participants who experienced that change. Weightings for the other four outcomes are similar, ranging from 7 to 8.5based on participant priorities.
Calculating SROI: Values, proxy values and their weightings and distributions are all taken in to account in the calculations. The culmination of various stages led to the calculation that every £1 allocated to the Blue Prescribing project at Steart Marshes resulted in £9.30 of social value for participants.
Conclusions: The evaluation indicated that outdoor wetland-based activities, involving nature, group interaction, creativity, and a relaxed atmosphere, contributed to positive outcomes. Despite the project’s success in generating social value, it was acknowledged that addressing mental health challenges required multifaceted approaches involving various professionals and support networks.
In summary, the SROI evaluation demonstrated that a significant number of participants experienced positive outcomes through the Blue Prescribing project at Steart Marshes, reinforcing the project’s contribution to enhancing participants’ well-being.The full report is here: https://melresearch.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/WWT-SROI-of-Blue-Prescribing-SROI-evaluation-final-report-v4.pdf
