Research into the impact of Big Local: Impacts found

Resources for Change was commissioned to undertake research “To capture the impact, achievements and learning of some of the earliest plans to be endorsed to demonstrate what the Big Local model has been able to achieve and draw out learning for other Big Local areas moving into delivery”. Additionally, the researchers investigated how areas are measuring impact.

20 Big Local areas were chosen from the first 50 endorsed plans, and researchers agreed a focus topic for the impact research with each area, e.g. children and young people, environment, economy and employment. The research team reviewed relevant documents and made a one day visit to the 20 areas, focussing on hearing from end-users/beneficiaries, but also from partnership members and workers. Targeted work on how areas measure impact was conducted using a short questionnaire and follow-up interview.