This presentation summarises the key finding from the third year of the People and Places programme evaluation.The full report is available on the Research and Learning section of the Big Lottery Fund (BIG) website, www.biglotteryfund.org.uk

1. People and Places programme: A summary of the Year 3 evaluation report (2010)

2. The People and Places programme supports projects that will lead to one or more of the following outcomes: Revitalised communities Improved community relations and Enhanced local environments, community services and buildings

3. People and Places was launched in November 2005. Owing to its popularity and success the programme will continue to award grants for the foreseeable future, with an increased budget of up to £19.5million a year. As of March 2011, 432 grants had been awarded with a total value of £80,951,138.

4. For 2010, the focus of the evaluation was on: Understanding the issues that influence the geographic spread of People and Places grants and funding in Wales; Exploring the outcomes of People and Places projects as identified by those who participate and benefit from project and by key external stakeholders; and Considering the legacy of the projects on delivery organisations

5. The main factors that influence where People and Places funding goes in Wales have been identified as: The need for funding in the area (i.e. the number of potential grant applications) The alternative funding that is available for projects in the area The capacity of potential applicants in the area– particularly their ability to apply for grant funding and meet the criteria The availability of advice and support to potential applicants Importantly, the influence of these factors is different in various parts of Wales. The implication for BIG is that it cannot look at one thing in particular when considering whether funding needs to be focused in any geographic part of Wales.

6. Knowing what’s going on locally The evaluation has identified a need to build stronger links between BIG and those who work with community groups on a local level. Projects funded by People and Places should not be delivered in isolation to other local developments.

7. People and Places projects are having a positive impact 98% (48/49) of the people that we spoke to said that their involvement with the project had helped them to develop their ability to mix with other people. 92% (45/49) of respondents to the survey perceived that the project they had been involved with had improved how satisfied they felt with life. 67% (33/49) perceived that the People and Places project had led to improvements in their physical well-being. 76% (13/17) believed there has been improvements to the local physical environment

8. The legacy of People and Places on organisations delivering projects Delivering a People and Places project generates a range of benefits. However, organisations also need to plan for the time when funding ends as this can have serious implications. Projects should all have well developed exit strategies in place.

9. Quality of information Some projects were able to provide a wealth of information but others could only provide very basic monitoring information. The evaluation is recommending that in future, projects should be told what the minimum amount of information they should be collecting is.

10. Spotlight on projects: All About Eve YWCA All About Eve in Cwmanfan was a user led, issue based women’s group based around subjects that young women identify as affecting their lives. Young women explored these issues and put their feelings and solutions into practice whilst building their skills and confidence to ensure their full participation in society. Over 400 young women were supported by the project.

11. “There are different ages that go there, there are younger girls that go and I wouldn't have spoken to them if it wasn't for the project, I became a peer mentor and we all keep in touch.” “It's given me a lot more confidence, before I would have needed people to speak on my behalf, since being involved in the project I've spoken in Parliament and it's made me realise that I have my own voice and I should be using it and not others.” “I'm doing a lot more in the community now than I would have before, I'm currently volunteering with adults with learning difficulties and getting more involved with them as before I wouldn't have wanted to.” What they said:All About eve

12. Spotlight on projects: Changing Lifestyles The Changing Lifestyles project in Rhondda Cynon Taf provided support, advice and help for people with learning disabilities in Rhondda Cynon Taff to lead healthier lifestyles. Participants took part in designing accessible information on health, employment, housing and the environment, raising awareness in the wider community of the issues affecting them and accessing training to overcome barriers which may prevent their use of appropriate services and facilities in the community. 150 people with learning disabilities were supported.

13. The project has encouraged its participants to have a voice and understand what their rights are as human beings as well as the responsibilities that go with having those rights. One member told a researcher: "I used to be bullied all the time where I live, but now I am able to stand up for myself". Another member said: "I don't tell people anymore that I have a disability, why should I?“ "Before I came here, things used to really get to me but now I can let it go over my head, I used to cry all the time but I know now that I am special and I am much calmer." What they said:Changing Lifestyles

14. Spotlight on projects: Llanfechain Memorial Hall This project extended and refurbished the Memorial Hallin the small and isolated village of Llanfechain, Powys. The redeveloped hall provides a small meeting/committee room with computing infrastructure to accommodate meetings of 15-20 people, upgraded and accessible toilets, an improved and enlarged kitchen, a post office/community shop and a boiler room.

15. “There are more things going on in the hall than there ever were before... courses, dance classes, Welsh lessons... we now have a shop and lots of people now go to the hall when it's a community council meeting.” “We had no shop facility before and we've now got a little cafe in the hall, it's brought life into the centre of the village, brought a focal point to the village and we're getting tourists in too as we've got a sign up and they can sit and have their lunch here. The Post Office was previously in the hall so that facility has been improved also, we may have lost the Post Office here if we hadn't have got the funding.” What they said:Changing Lifestyles

16. Next steps for the evaluation Another eight projects will participate in the evaluation during 2011 which will build an evidence base about the impact that People and Places projects are having on the lives of people and communities across Wales.

17. A copy of the full evaluation report is published on the full report is available on the Research and Learning section of the Big Lottery Fund (BIG) website, www.biglotteryfund.org.uk. Or you can contact Endaf Griffiths at Wavheill on 01545 571711 or by email: endaf.griffiths@wavehill.com

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