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South West Opportunities for Older People (SWOOP)SWOOP is a partnership led by the Marchmont Observatory at the University of Exeter. involving the South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA), Job Centre Plus, Business Link, regional LSCs, Age Concern, NIACE, ACAS, training providers and the VCS which has set up a series of action projects as a ‘test bed’, to promote opportunies and combat discrimination in relation to over 50s in the labour market. SWOOP was formed in 2004 and was successful in attracting funding from SWRDA and from EQUAL.
Prevista was appointed in June 2006 as the SWOOP external evaluator. This focused upon an evaluation of the partnership (as opposed to the actual project work). This led to the client setting up an Equalities, Empowerment and Diversity (EDE) Group and a Mainstreaming, Dissemination and Evaluation (MDE) Group as well as a new project plan and a revised set of project objectives.
In November 2006 we were reappointed to assist with the review of SWOOP’s mainstreaming and dissemination strategy and in November 2007 to undertake the final evaluation of the project. We have also been appointed by SWRDA to undertake a longitundinal impact assessment of the project, and this work will take place during the course of 2008.
South West RDA - Inspire SW Impact Evaluation Prevista was commissioned by SWRDA in November 2005 to undertake an evaluation of Action 1 of Inspire SW, a £4 million programme funded by SWRDA and by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) ‘Innovative Actions’ programme.
Innovative Actions funding was intended to an opportunity to adopt novel and experimental approaches to support regional development. Action1 - Look Forward – of Inspire SW set out to develop a variety of innovative methods to disseminate knowledge to and encourage greater collaboration between research organisations/universities and SMEs.
In order to support the aims of Action 1 an experimental model of delivery was adopted. This experimental delivery model was characterised by the establishment of a Regional Technology Panel (RTP), led by the University of Bristol) and Sector Technology Panels for Aeronautics and Space Innovation Technology (ASITP), led by the University of Bath and Food and Drink, led by the University of Plymouth. The Panels were tasked with identifying and interpreting the market implications for the South West arising from technological change, and ensuring that regional businesses in the target sectors could;
• Anticipate change• Move to a leadership position in innovation• ‘Get to the future first’.
We undertook a final evaluation of the model adopted in Action 1, which incorporated a full review of the background, context, the achievements against the original objectives of the model and the lessons learned. The evaluation considered the links between Inspire SW and the Regional Economic Strategy (RES) and the Regional Innovation Strategy (RIS). It also placed Action 1 in the context of the three rounds of the National Foresight programme, the Lambert review of Business University collaboration and SWRDA’s Public Service Agreement targets.
The results of the evaluation informed the establishment of the Regional Science and Industry Council (RSIC). We received a number of positive testimonials from the Universities and technology panel members in relation to this work. Our client, SWRDA commented that "Prevista were a pleasure to work with and turned around a complicated piece of evaluation work round quickly and effectively. They got to grips with the task quickly, understood the intricacies of the three linked projects after a very short time and managed to fit interviews into a limited timeframe. The evaluation report is both useful and effective
ICT Music & Media CentresBetween 2000 and 2003, in partnership with Metier, Prevista undertook a series of mapping, research, review and evaluation studies for the Department of Education and Skills (DfES) concerned with the development of new programmes to facilitate ICT-based learning through music, media and other cultural technologies.
At the time, there was a recognition that the adoption of ICTs offered the prospect of new means of access to learning opportunities, and new forms of social and economic participation, the ‘digital divide’ threatens to exacerbate the social exclusion presently faced by a range of disadvantaged communities. Within this context, DfES also recognised that the role that music and broadcast media can play in motivating alienated communities, particularly young people, to participate in learning and develop their ICT skills.
We undertook a programme of work during that period which aimed:
The project work resulted in the creation of Toxteth TV and set out a framework for the development of other, similar centres in other parts of the UK. Prevista also authored Safe and Wicked, a ‘best practice’ toolkit for potential ICT Music and Media projects.
SIED Procurement ResearchTo promote equality, diversity and social inclusion within the SIED EQUAL partnership, we have recently undertaken a study into the potential that public sector procurement has for supporting SME businesses from black and minority ethnic communities. The research will be used to refine the business model employed by the Association of Community Based Business Advice (ACBBA) in supporting its members and clients.
Learning for those with Learning Difficulties or DisabilitiesWe undertook research on behalf of the London South Learning and Skills Council among both learners and training providers across south London. This research sought to improve access to Lifelong Learning services for those adults with learning difficulties or disabilities. The report made recommendations for improved learning provision including the feasibility of offering 24 hour services.
Survey of Connexions services for Young peopleIn 2006, Prevista undertook a survey among over 4000 young people using the internet, telephone and post to get their views on the services provided by Connexions across London. Early results from the survey were tested in focus groups with young people or groups of their parents. One significant outcome was the formation of a parents forum to help plan better targeted services.
Evaluation of ESF Co-financed Projects and ProgrammesIn addition to delivering ESF projects ourselves, Prevista undertakes evaluations on behalf of clients and partners to assess how effectively the projects have met the objectives put forward in the bid and more importantly to measure the benefits gained by the beneficiaries of the projects. Recent evaluations have included projects targeting NEET young people undertaken by London East Connexions, workers in the Care sector at Barnet College, and a programme of projects aimed at getting people into work undertaken for the Training Network Group.
Access to Learning for WomenIn 2006, Prevista looked at the barriers to women joining non-traditional employment sectors such as construction, engineering and science by researching the quality and content of the Information, Advice and Guidance available to women seeking employment. Undertaken on behalf of London West Learning and Skills Council, the final report identified where best practice existed and made recommendations for training available to the women seeking such work.
VisageLed by Action for Blind People, VISAGE is a £2m project of national and international research and development (including testing and modelling). It identifies the barriers to employment for disabled people. Funded through EQUAL, the research has provided examples of good practice and highlighted areas for development that are disseminated in order to improve the design of learning services for disabled people.
Prevista acted as a development partner to Action for Blind People, undertook the research to shape the future delivery of the project as well as employer and beneficiary toolkits. We have also undertaken the internal evaluation and will manage the external evaluation when the project ends in December 2007.
eStartThe eStart programme, financed and commissioned by the LDA from 2003 to 2005. The purpose of eStart was to design and deliver Broadband/High Speed Internet-based awareness and business support activities to SMEs in London, with a particular focus on the needs of businesses owned or managed by people from London’s BAME communities and women business owners.
The project consortium was led by Atkins plc, with Prevista leading on the research programme and delivering business support. eStart met or exceeded all its key targets, both in terms of the profile and numbers of participants, and in terms of user feedback on the quality and impact of the programme.
eStart was shortlisted for a prestigious award with the Management Consultancy Association (MCA) Innovation category on a shortlist of three. Although it did not win the award, this was a significant achievement.