As a research project focused on understanding innovative community-led initiatives located in a historic inner city community this work is very much in our sweet spot.
The ‘Best of Bensham Collaborative’, funded by Gateshead Council, involves numerous local organisations working together for the betterment of the community, which continues to feel the worst effects of social and economic inequality despite many previous efforts to turn around its fortunes.
In November 2019 Goodlabs was appointed as external evaluator for the project to produce an outcomes/impact evaluation. The evaluation has two aims. The first, is to establish the extent to which the Best of Bensham project has fulfilled its funding objectives. The second is to be a resource for learning, firstly within the core group of stakeholder organisations and then more widely to all who have an interest in Asset-Based approaches to community work.
Potential project impacts that are of interest include the project leading and supporting:
Increased capacity of organisations, associations and communities to address the inequalities and impact of poverty in the neighbourhood.
Increased community capacity to meet local needs through new or extended social and support networks
Changing the relationship between communities and VCS/Statutory Services through co-production, towards a view of public
services as vital but a last resort, so reducing demand.
Actions that improve wellbeing and quality of life
The final evaluation report will be published in spring of 2021.