Evaluation Report Society Inc. (June 2020) Dr Donna Peach

(Draft) Evaluation of Society Inc.

(Final) Evaluation of Society Inc.

“Why I do this, because I brought myself up from the age of 8…, I watched my dad go from a hardworking man to an alcoholic. I volunteer here and at other organisations, because these places, where a lot of

people have been, I’ve been there as well, and I know what it feels like. There is nothing worse than someone being stuck out there without help.” (Ian, Society Inc. Volunteer).

“I had a really bad episode last year where I almost took me own life and it’s kind of scared

“Why I do this, becauseme…. I brought I had therapy myself, butup Ifrom needed the help where age of 8…, I watched my dadI couldgo from get outa hardworking and someone man that Ito could trust and talk to. (Diane, Society Inc. Client). an alcoholic. I volunteer here and other organisations, because these places, where a lot of people have been, I’ve been there I know what it feels like. There is nothing worse than“From someone the first being time stuckI did the out training there I waswithout help.” just hooked, and I knew it was where I wanted to be, what I wanted to do.” (Julie, Society Inc. Volunteer).

Acknowledgement Thank you to everyone who kindly gave their time to contribute to the learning gained during this evaluation.

(Final) Evaluation of Society Inc.

Contents Page

Executive summary 4

Introduction 6

The context of need 7

Empowering social inclusion 9 Authentic personal relationships 9 Social network that support equality 12 Civic validation 14 Trusting collaborative norms 16

The response to Covid-19 18

Conclusion 20

References 21

(Final) Evaluation of Society Inc.

Executive Summary

People and relationships are central across Greater Manchester. In the to what constitutes Society Inc. Their relatively short time, Society Inc. has model is founded on three broad aims, been operating it has become a point of social inclusion, empowerment and referral for several organisations, support. This evaluation report including Salford Royal Hospital and demonstrates how Society Inc. enables Prescott House Mental Health Unit. local people to use and develop their skills and knowledge to support others The charity often receives referrals to within their community. Their model is assist individuals who are already in rooted in the belief that every person is receipt of a professional service. of value to their community. Engagement with Society Inc. provides the community-based support to actively Adopting a person-centred approach assist people in the process of is not uncommon. However, it is how addressing their complex needs. Without Society Inc. practice what they preach, undermining their personal touch, which ensures their clients, volunteers professionalism is at the heart of all and staff, reliably experience being Society Inc. practices. Notably, to valued as a person. The charity’s support their staff and volunteers they outcomes are embodied in the deliver an accredited training scheme experience of social inclusion and and facilitate reliable supervision and belongingness. Accordingly, the safeguarding procedures. development of this evaluation has been inductive, to allow that experience to All interviewees reflect a sense of emerge. pride in their participation with, and knowledge of Society Inc. An emergent The information shared in this report theme was about being local, but this is based on interviews with clients, their was not simply a matter of location. For family members, volunteers and staff. In example, one client described other the process of conducting interviews, I services such as Sure Start as attended the charity’s base in Little procedural rather than helpful; there was Hulton and observed interactions. I have a sense of feeling ‘othered’, that created been privileged to hear personal anxiety. Closer analysis suggests that experiences and trusted to hold a engagement with Society Inc. is shared understanding of ‘knowing’ how experienced as the acceptance of a Society Inc. is experienced, and why person’s vulnerability, without that is of value. judgement. That concept is the foundation of trust. Society Inc. is a charitable incorporated organisation that supports Additionally, the authentic discourses volunteers to provide mentoring and from staff and volunteers embraced befriending services to people in their language, which was often non- communities. It is based in the Little professionalised and indicative of their Hulton area of Salford and operates approach to inclusion as one that 4

(Final) Evaluation of Society Inc. engenders equality. That is of crucial to be available to meet the future needs importance when reducing barriers to of people who require their services. inclusion experienced by those who live That sense of permanence indicates a in areas of multiple deprivations, such as perception of strength in the social Little Hulton. It is within a landscape of network they have created, which decades of economic, social, health and extends beyond the individuals who are education inequality, that Society Inc. current volunteers. practices Society Inc. has responded effectively The volunteers who provide to the changing needs of its clients and mentoring and befriending services are volunteers during the Covid19 pandemic the conduit between Society Inc. as an and associated social restrictions. They organisation, and those who engage quickly adapted to further develop their with its services. Indeed, some who networking activities with other local approach the charity with a view of organisations. This was important, as the receiving support might soon discover government imposed social distancing the support they need could be in the measures can inhibit people from form of becoming a mentor or befriender seeking support. to someone else. Two people who started as volunteers are now employed Impressively, Society Inc. was by the charity, through its ability to proactive in developing communication attract funding. Society Inc. runs on a links with other charities and services to financial shoestring, yet it is able to streamline delivery and ensure they provide a service and nurture ambition were not duplicating their activities. They within the community that for many, is adapted their usual community-based worth its weight in gold. support systems to telephone communications. Recognising that some Reducing social isolation is a people’s mental well-being required the foundational Society Inc. activity. ability to see and talk to someone, they Volunteers seek to encourage their conducted some social distancing visits clients to safely experience the world at the garden gate. In addition to these around them, as a means to disrupt strategies, the staff have been mobilised feelings of loneliness and to nurture a to respond to those members of the greater sense of self-efficacy, community in urgent need of food. belongingness and enjoyment. This active approach supports clients to go A constant throughout the evaluation beyond pre-contemplation to active process was the importance of engagement with change. highlighting the value of those who are receiving and delivering Society Inc. The trusted relationships facilitated services. That foundational premise by Society Inc. and experienced within remained consistent, especially during their social network of support was this time of critical and acute need. implicit in all participant interviews. Particularly striking, was the belief that Society Inc. could be trusted to continue 5

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Introduction

Society Inc. was founded in 2017 as specific outcome negotiated between a constituted group, with a specific focus the mentor and their mentee. The on the needs of people living in the Little mentor relationships can be for a Hulton area of Salford. In January 2019, specific duration and focus. For it registered as a charitable incorporated example, to help someone find organisation and extended its attention employment. The data from this to meet needs across Greater evaluation is supported by research Manchester. Society Inc. has five which demonstrates that mentoring can Trustees, Joanne Bonney, Victoria have positive effects on the mental Fletcher-Simm, Mike Lappin and health of both mentors and mentees Josephine Nicklin. Additionally, Karen (Chun, et al., 2012; Dreher & Ash, 1990; Whitehead, who founded Society Inc is Gill, et al., 2018). a Trustee and acts as the Chief Executive Officer. Their befriending service is designed to support people who experience People and relationships are central loneliness and social isolation. These to what constitutes Society Inc. Their can be long-term relationships, which model is founded on three broad aims, are not necessarily driven by specific social inclusion, empowerment and goal orientated outcomes. Voluntary support. Their success has enabled two befriending schemes have also been of their volunteers Alison Gresty and found to have positive benefits for adults Nicola Leonard, to become employed as and families (Gentry at al., 2018; operational support workers who assist McGoldrick, et al., 2017; Preston & both clients, and volunteers. Moore, 2019; Vally & Abrahams, 2016). However, unlike similar services, As an organisation, Society Inc. Society Inc. provision is not limited by facilitates volunteers to act as mentors age, (anyone over the age of 18 years and befrienders to help foster and can be referred) or need. improve personal and social relationships. In turn, these activities All volunteers are trained both as help to reduce social isolation and anti- mentors and befrienders. Participants social behaviour while also improving described a permeability in their delivery mental and physical health, well-being that adapts to the changing needs of the and education (Brown & Rook, 2019). client, who may experience both aspects Society Inc.’s mantra is, ‘Connection of the service. This flexibility is important before Correction’. for people whose mental health needs can negatively affect their individual, The charity distinguishes between health, education, relational, economic their mentoring and befriending and societal wellbeing (Davies, 2013; de services. The mentoring service can be Vries et al., 2019; Prior et al., 2013). both formal and informal, with activities being tailored to individual needs with a

(Final) Evaluation of Society Inc.

The charity is based in an area of social distancing measures and Salford with some of the highest forms removed many of the usual operating of deprivation in the country. As one of methods of befriending and mentoring. ten local authorities within Greater However, Society Inc. demonstrates Manchester, Salford is the third most how they were able to quickly adapt to deprived. Furthermore, Little Hulton is not only the rapidly changing social itself one of the most deprived areas of environment but also to the increased Salford. Worryingly, this need is and acute needs of their clients. present when local authority provision is in decline, and there is continued The context of concern about the health deprivation social need across the city.

Society Inc. originated in the Little The next section of this report will add Hulton area of Salford and its services greater detail to the context of need that now extend across the Greater Society Inc. operates within. It was the Manchester region. Nevertheless, the greater visibility of need that motivated roots of its origin remain an important Karen Whitehead to form Society Inc. part of its identity and ethos. Little Hulton Her family roots and childhood in Little has a proud coal mining and textile Hulton provided traditional knowledge industry heritage. However, in the last that enabled her to see the area, beyond decade, it has experienced significant its multifaceted deprivation towards the levels of long-term unemployment. rich potential of those in the community. Government ward data depicts long term In brief, she recognised their value and unemployment in Little Hulton as 39.3% wanted to assist how they could realise of total unemployment. That figure is a their potential. cause of concern, as multiple exposures

of unemployment across time can This evaluation used experiential contribute to the accumulation of poor evidence to demonstrate how Society mental health (Strandh et al., 2014). Inc. contributes to the development of social inclusion as they enable local In 2012, the Mental Health Task Force people to support others in their identified that every year, 1 in 4 of us are community and facilitate local affected by a mental health need (NHS communities to support each other. The Digital, 2016; NHS England, 2013). use of semi-structured interviews both in These figures can rise for people who person and on the telephone was identify with a minority population ethically approved by the University of (including but not exclusive to) people Salford Ethics Committee. In-depth with Black and Asian heritage interviews facilitate detailed narratives backgrounds, lesbian, gay, bisexual and which allow participants to share a broad transsexual identities, young people, range of perceptions (Creswell, 2012). asylum seekers, refugees and armed

service veterans (Pandor et al., 2015). The evaluation took place prior to and Recent population demographics from during the UK government response to the government ward profile, show 9% of the COVID-19 pandemic which imposed Little Hulton residents identifying as 7

(Final) Evaluation of Society Inc. members of the Black and Ethnic Little Hulton. Some children living in Little Minority community. Hulton are among the most deprived in the country. The Salford City Partnership’s Mental Health All Age Integrated The life expectancy for older people in Commissioning Strategy 2019-2024, has Salford has not increased in line with a focus on emotional wellbeing and those elsewhere in the country. Social mental health across the lifespan. In isolation is a factor which can increase addition to a focus on mental health the risk of death for both older, and other needs, the strategy recognised the need vulnerable people. To combat this to support carers. Notably, Little Hulton Salford’s locality plan aims to develop has a particularly high proportion of strategies for self-care and to develop carers aged between 55 and 64 years resilient communities. Society Inc. is a (15.8%). The new Salford Carer’s much-needed resource that can help put Strategy recognised that carers who those policies into practice. support people with mental health needs can also experience social isolation. Society Inc. is a concept conceived However, it was often younger people within the Little Hulton community. The aged 16-34 years who felt lonely and people who deliver and receive services experienced a lack of trust and are embedded in the harsh realities of belongingness within their community. deprivation. However, their collective skill, knowledge and authentic Poor mental health is also associated personification of resilience, enable this with the experience of deprivation small charity to have an impressive (Mishra, 2015). The index of multiple reach. Its success is rooted in the deprivations (2015; 2019) in Salford, embodiment of its values in every activity reports Little Hulton as the city’s second it undertakes. most deprived ward. Educationally, some areas of Little Hulton are amongst The charity recognised and nurtured the 1-3% of most deprived in England. the development of people’s skills and The index also examined health and knowledge, both in ways which are disability deprivation, which include understated, and accredited. This forms years of potential life lost, comparative the basis of their foundation to build what illness and disability, mood and anxiety. is often termed ‘social capital’. However, Based on that criteria, Little Hulton has not a model of social capital, driven by areas that fall into the 1-3% of the most economic benefit, but one motivated by deprived in England. social relations and cohesion which are embedded in the development of Regrettably, housing services have individuals, and intertwined with their also seen a further decline with Salford community. being ranked 218th out of 317 local authorities. Little Hulton is deemed to The descriptions of participant have moderate areas of housing experiences, included within this report, deprivation. Income deprivation affecting provide evidence to support the four children and older people remain high in ways in which the Organisation for 8

(Final) Evaluation of Society Inc.

Economic Co-operation and social ties increase community activity, Development (OECD) conceive and which in turn was associated with health measure the concept of ‘social capital’. benefits.

Including personal relationships, social During this evaluation, every network support, civic engagement and participant shared a desire to make a trust and cooperative norms. difference in their community. Their

narratives reflect an intrinsic motivation However, this evaluation highlights to want to help others succeed, and by how Society Inc. extends beyond the their actions, they reflect on their limits of economic drivers. Their development and learning (Mucedola, motivations are culturally shared and 2018). Several respondents had embodied in a sense of belonging that previously volunteered for other facilitates trust-based relationships. The organisations or they were doing so context of social need detailed above concurrently or planned to do so, in the can lead people to lack trust in others future. and limit their social participation within and beyond their neighbourhood The activity of volunteering being (Stephens, 2008). Social inclusion is the associated with good psychological experience of feeling valued within health outcomes is well established society and that is crucial to the (Anderson et al., 2014). More recently, development of cohesive communities an analysis of mental health data relating (Colley, 2003). to depressive symptoms of 27,301 participants, from 15 European countries including the UK, suggest the benefit to “They are there, and not just mental health could be realised from the there, but are attached because they see the place experience of social connectedness, as a chance to practice a than the act of volunteering, itself simple principle.” (Raffel, (Creaven, et al., 2018). 2006)

Authentic Personal Relationships

Developing personal relationships is a Empowering Social cornerstone of what Society Inc. Inclusion facilitates. These relationships are centred on the needs of both the A foundational stone of Society Inc.’s mentored and the mentee. The structure is the promotion of social relationships are structured and inclusion. A belief that being included as professional while maintaining and a valued member of the community ‘creates a promoting individual agency and ways of sense of ownership and being. Those who provide mentoring and loyalty’. Their belief is befriending services are the conduit supported by research between Society Inc. as an organisation evidence. A recent study undertaken by and those who engage with its services. Brown & Rook (2019) suggests positive

(Final) Evaluation of Society Inc.

Two people who joined Society Inc. as at Society Inc. One striking means by volunteers are now employed by the which their inclusive approach is visible, charity, which was enabled by its ability is how people can approach the charity to attract funding. These operational with a view to becoming a volunteer, or support staff undertake an initial meeting to ask for support. That concept could with people who contact the charity and help reduce any stigma that might be form a view of how they can help meet experienced when first approaching the their needs. However, they are always charity. Several participants revealed the mindful of empowering others and of how act of volunteering could itself be the their very assistance could, if incorrectly form of support that is needed. delivered, serve to disempower the client. People walk in who have heard about us who say Thus, authentic personal relationships they want support, and by are maintained by a process of ongoing the end of a conversation critical self-reflection. That procedure is they walk out as a maintained by both a supervisory, and volunteer. Or vice versa. client-led process. Notably, this We have people who say combination of skilled facilitators working they want to volunteer when alongside participatory group members they could do with support. is highly valued within groups (Fieldhouse et al., 2017). If it is decided that someone would benefit from either befriending or You might be intervening on mentoring, one of the operational people’s lives, who know support staff will approach a volunteer how to do it better than you. whom they think could be a good match. It comes from an egotistical These initial decisions taken by staff are point of view to think you based on the trusting relationships they can help someone. So, have developed with the volunteers. But when you do strip it down, the decision-making is shared, and there you think am I actually is an implicit sense of trust in the helping, because there’s judgement of staff members, conveyed only the client who can by the volunteers. A sense the staff know guide you through that? them and the basis on which they might relate to others.

The flattening of any hierarchy is Your mentoring is matched important to communication upon which up to who you are, and what we develop social relationships (Brailey, you can do. What we might 2018). The inclusion have in common. experienced by participants was evidenced in several ways, as they described their interactions with others 10

(Final) Evaluation of Society Inc.

The volunteers are also provided with Once a prospective match between a a choice in who they might mentor or volunteer and a client has been decided, befriend. They have an opportunity to a three-way meeting is convened hear about the client, their needs and between them, and supported by one of interests. This process enables them to the operational staff. However, the final form their own initial view, before choice of whether to deciding if they would like to be continue further remains introduced. The shared decision-making in the power of the process supports the volunteer’s identity person who would receive and can increase their motivation to a service. continue (Cheung et al., 2015). I tend to leave it then to that They don’t just land people person to see if they want on you. They get you in and me to mentor them, whether they say to you, ‘we’ve got they think I’m right for them. this client, blah blah blah. It’s no good me saying well How do you feel about it?’ you’re right for me.

Empowerment is fundamental to all Importantly, if the relationship aspects of Society Inc. practices. between the volunteer and the client is Throughout interviews, there was a not successful, another volunteer can shared and individual sense of what take their place. each person contributes to the whole. That included everyone who might I met someone last week initially become engaged with Society and he wasn’t engaging well Inc. as a client or as a volunteer. Cui et with the last person, so I met al., (2019) suggest client empowerment him, and we got on quite includes self-efficacy, a belief in one’s well, we had things in ability. That approach is fundamental to common that we were able how Society Inc. operates. to talk about.

A lot of clients when they come to us, they know what The relationships between mentors they want to do they just and mentees are usually goal led. don’t have the courage to However, there is the flexibility to decide step forward and they just how long support might need to be want someone to say ‘yeah, available. Within Society Inc. the roles of you’re doing the right thing’. mentoring and befriending are A lot of them do know what permeable and can adapt to the they’re doing they are just changing needs of Society Inc. clients. not quite sure how to get to that goal. So, it’s about empowering them and giving them that knowledge.

(Final) Evaluation of Society Inc.

If someone says they are Social networks that support equality isolated, I would put in the befriending bracket and if Social networks are comprised of they have a goal, then a people and the resources they represent mentor bracket. Our and those which are available to them. volunteers are trained in Society Inc. has secured some external both. I think clients can slip funding which has provided a physical into one and then the other, base where people can simply walk in they might need a friend but and self-refer. Funding is important to then later have a goal they ensure there is a core availability of want to achieve. employed staff, so there is a person present to greet them. The need-led approach ensures the client is valued and demonstrates how In addition to their physical Society Inc. strives to resist potential accessibility, Society Inc. further remove barriers to inclusion. Additionally, there is potential barriers to inclusion in the way no expectation of the length of they are present. The language used by engagement when deciding whether a all participants is one that echoes the service can be offered. entwining of personal and social. Notably, their authentic discourses, the We will be with that client as way they speak, embraced language, long as we need to be. If a which is often non-professionalised and client comes for one indicative of their approach to inclusion occasion and then not for as one that engenders equality (France, three months, we don’t turn 2010). them away. We’re constantly busy we Of equal importance, is how get clients dropping in and volunteers experience a sense of being client’s family dropping in. valued and of empowerment. Society We have an open-door Inc. can support their volunteers as they policy, if that door is open, have skilled employed staff who can be come in and have a brew. reliably present to meet the needs of both volunteers and clients. Knowing this Importantly, their informality is implicitly permits volunteers to not feel carefully crafted and does not belie the burdened (Fieldhouse et al., 2017). professionalism that underpins their practice. Throughout every participant Society Inc are quite flexible interview, there were indications of good too. I can volunteer at times evidenced-based when I am available, so I practice. In particular, the don’t feel pressured to do it. provision of training and I have control over what supervision is key to the hours I do, and what days I development of a reliable social network do. that supports equable personal relationships. This report will address the

(Final) Evaluation of Society Inc. contribution of training in a later section, Every time I do a mentoring, but the following extract reflects the I have to phone them and let importance of supervision for volunteers, them know how it’s gone on. facilitated by the skilled help of Like a report on how it’s operational staff (Fieldhouse et al., gone on, and we come in 2017). It is important to remember, that and sit down and have a mentoring, and befriending can be talk…. usually once a inspired by those who have experienced month. We go over all that vulnerability. Their contribution benefits sort of stuff, so it’s sorted, if from access to a reliable support you like. I’ve not got it to network. hold onto. Been there, done it and got sorted out. But I Most of the participants who think if I didn’t have this sort volunteered reflect on their own of support at the back of it, I experience of vulnerability. Several think it would be a hard, respondents report their negative life hard, hard slog. events prompted them to want to support others. One participant who volunteers for Society Inc. highlighted that beyond the I’ve been bullied at school formal purpose of supervision, as means and that. I just want to help to communicate and safeguard peoples people get through similar needs. As a volunteer, supervision was a situations that I’ve been means by which Society Inc. through. demonstrates he is valued – that they care (Creaven et al., 2018). The extract Society Inc. structures facilitate below, demonstrates how Society Inc. skilled, prompt and reliable access to ensure their social network is supervision, designed to meet the experienced as personal and reduced immediate needs of their volunteers. their sense of isolation. This process served to minimise any experience of isolation (It) means a lot to me to when supporting others. know that there’s support Additionally, the need for for me as well as I’m supervision highlights the supporting someone else. potential vicarious trauma It’s really, really weird but associated with secondary …..and if I disappear every exposure to harm experienced by others now and again they always and the cognitive and affective strategies phone me up or send me a required in response (Aparico et al., message what you up to, 2013). why haven’t I seen you, this, that and the other. So, it’s like a caring thing, it’s like someone’s out there that cares.

(Final) Evaluation of Society Inc.

Reducing social isolation is a Civic validation foundational Society Inc. activity. Volunteers seek to encourage their Beyond the time contribution of clients to safely experience the world Society Inc. staff and volunteers, they around them. That are also committed to developing and process seeks to disrupt validating their learning. For example, feelings of loneliness Society Inc. provides accredited training and to nurture a greater courses that enable their staff and sense of self-efficacy, belongingness volunteers to develop their and enjoyment. This active approach skill and knowledge base. supports clients to go beyond pre- Most participants reported contemplation to active engagement with how they have achieved change (DiClemente et al., 1991). accredited counselling qualifications. Making specific mention of the training If they’re in a built up area they had received which facilitates their like this, and you go to the understanding of both communication

park and they never go, methods, and safeguarding matters. but if you sit down and The accredited course here watch squirrels and birds covers things that college and stuff like that and have doesn’t cover. The course a general talk about life, helps, I know how to your kids, your animals, communicate, also about whatever. That person adult safeguarding, and you then could think to can reflect. themselves I have to do this again and they might These activities contribute to both just one day think you individual development and the wider know I’m just going to sit in community. Importantly, for more than that park and sort this out. one participant, it was by volunteering for

Society Inc. that they had opportunities to apply their skills. It is in the active use Those who provide support services of our acquired skills and knowledge via Society Inc. provide constant where we gain external validation to reminders that they are working in bolster and maintain our self-efficacy partnership with their clients. They (Reeb et al., 2010). emphasise their clients are a key part of the social network of support. Oh! I’ve just got a certificate, let me show you, this is an A lot of them can tell me the accredited certificate this, different networks and what but I have other things. they’re doing and who Stage One counselling, I’ve they’re involved with. You got,other mentoring stuff, learn from your clients as but it’s only since I’ve been much as they’re learning here, I do all this. from us. 14

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All participants provided examples of When you work with that the successful impact of their cohort of people who involvement with Society Inc. which had believe they’re worthless, validated the civic role they are fulfilling when you see a strength in within their local community. Notably, the them you generate action of community engagement also motivation to change… they provided benefits in volunteers’ already know what they’re perceptions of life. doing wrong, they come in and tell you, so what’s the Confidence and being a role point of labouring that to model for other people best death, what are you doing thing. It’s made me look at right, that’s what I’m life a lot better. interested in and focus on that. One volunteer is working with someone who had unfortunately One participant said he was initially experienced both physically and uncertain whether volunteering was psychologically debilitating life suitable, for him. However, he explained experiences, from which they had that in addition to developing his developed some unhelpful coping confidence, the act of volunteering has mechanisms. After only four mentoring provided the public arena for him to visits, the client began to make positive witness the difference he has made to decisions for their well-being. others.

I spoke to him about I thought, give it a go and smoking wacky tobacco, I see how it feels and when I said that’s not going to help. mentored my first client, He phoned me up and said, now I’ve got him a full-time I’ve not had a smoke in over job and now he’s in a a week. I said that’s brilliant, relationship and getting out well done. And he said and of the house more. I’ve also kicked the other stuff into touch, and I said Volunteers report how they assure well really well done you, clients that help is always available, from that’s brilliant. Society Inc. or another service. This demonstrates that civic validation is not The ability to build on people’s solely recognising what people bring to strengths to develop their self-efficacy their communities. Society Inc. by their and validate their belongingness is very presence validate that people can fundamental to the charity’s ethos. They need support and do not have to be focus on strength as a motivator to isolated. change rather than negative reinforcers of what is going wrong.

(Final) Evaluation of Society Inc.

If they ever do get stuck… During this evaluation, there has been hang on a minute what did ample evidence that Society Inc. delivers that bloke from society Inc a service which has a professional say to me, he said I can go infrastructure. In addition, their delivery there if I need help. is founded on valuing people, which is not only written into their policies, but embodied in what they, their volunteers Trusting collaborative norms and clients experience.

In the relatively short time that Society We have some really Inc. has been operating it has become a amazing volunteers and key partner for several organisations, clients their stories are so, including Salford Royal Hospital and some of them are so Prescott House Mental Health Unit. Their captivating you think how successful engagement thus far is are you still sat there and indicative of civic validation. functioning? Some of them Furthermore, the process of achieving are so brave. validation is the successful development of trust and collaboration, between services. The charity bears witness to strength and bravery in themselves and others. What we find because we The recognition of bravery and trust is work very closely with adult important to social inclusion (Colley, social care, children’s social 2003). Society Inc. consistently validates care…. they’ve been really the capacity of its volunteers and clients well receiving our to make informed decisions. In doing so, services… they’re a bit they act as collaborative partners rather more advanced with that than helpers. This approach will further a and willing to take a risk in person’s self-efficacy and provide an that regard, social workers. experience of empowered engagement they can transfer to other interactions. These collaborative networks mean that often Society Inc. clients are A lot of clients when they individuals who are in receipt of come to us, they know what ‘professional’ services but require further they want to do, they just community- based support to assist don’t have the courage to them in the process of addressing often step forward… They just complex needs. want someone to say yeah you’re doing the right thing. …more befriending as they A lot of them do know what are getting support, we are they’re doing, they’re just bridging a gap, our clients not quite sure how to get to are getting a lot of support that goal. So, it’s about from professional services. empowering them and giving them that knowledge.

(Final) Evaluation of Society Inc.

The trust experienced, within the within the community. As one client social network of support facilitated by explained, the people at Society Inc are Society Inc. was widely evident. like ‘us’. Volunteers trusted Society Inc. would continue to provide services. This They’re all local, they’re all reliability of provision is important, so that from around here… I think people who are unable to access the it’s because they are more service today, can trust in its availability like us and they know what for when they are ready to engage. it’s like they’re obviously quite local. You can only go so far, you can’t force people to do However, being local was not just a something they don’t want matter of geographical location, as other to do, obviously, they’re not services such as Sure Start were ready for it and I always end ‘othered’, as procedural rather than my sessions with ‘if you helpful. Closer analysis revealed the want to come back or need difference lies in Society Inc’s. help, we are always here’. acceptance of a person’s vulnerability and their strength. The ethos of Society Inc. is that everyone in the community has a right to They give me advice and feel a sense of ownership and help me to make my own belongingness. This is often experienced decisions. I come in and in the sense of what is authentically have a natter, they don’t known and shared. Although deprivation decide for me they get me to and its negative effects are wrong, one’s decide for myself and it’s survival could bring forth a resilience that actually quite nice. enables you, and others to thrive. Some participants were able to As much as I’ve had a bad contribute strategic insights into the life you also get the other positioning of Society Inc. as a provider side of the fence where within the community. Comments made some people have had it reflect that Society Inc. has become an badder than what you’ve established charity within the had. When you can still community. associate with them because you’ve touched on They clearly have that line where they’re at, committed workers on the but you’ve not let it get you ground and a strong that far. strategic lead in Karen.

The experience of inclusion was described in several ways. It was important for all participants that the charity and its workers originate from 17

(Final) Evaluation of Society Inc.

In response to Covid-19 needs were exacerbated by the impact of the virus and associated social

restrictions. During the completion of this evaluation, the UK Government decided to restrict social interaction to reduce the It was grim before this spread of the Covid-19 virus. Society Inc. (Covid), I see people was also affected and closed its hub queuing at the foodbank. I base. However, it continued to provide know how many people out services to its clients and volunteers. there are working full-time and still having to go to the They are continuing to work foodbank. It’s a massive in this period of time, and eyeopener to how things you don’t have to do that was before this. No-one can and still keeping in touch survive on universal credit. with clients and still doing work with their clients. In response to the Covid-19 virus and associated social restrictions, Society Some clients were still quite new to Inc. reports their clients and people in the their engagement with Society Inc. at the community have returned to focus on time social restrictions were put in place. their basic need for survival. Many of their clients are vulnerable and the ‘lockdown’ effects added pressure on They’ve gone back to some families while simultaneously survival instincts, so it isn’t limiting access to the support that might about them wanting to otherwise be available to them. share their problems with However, Society Inc. immediately other people as in peer adapted to this novel situation and mentor support, it’s about continued to complete activities to basic instincts they want provide support for clients and their food, gas and electric. They families. want to know they have food in the cupboard for the It was his birthday, kids. We got a small grant yesterday and she came and we’ve distributed around outside, and she’d supplies of food. brought him books …he thinks she’s wonderful. Society Inc. have used the changing needs during the Covid19 restrictions, to The perspective of those providing further develop their networking activities Society Inc. services is quite acute. In with other local organisations. Social addition to delivering their mentoring and restrictions inhibit people from befriending services by telephone, it approaching organisations to have their quickly became apparent that the client’s different needs met. Therefore, Society Inc. have been proactive in developing

(Final) Evaluation of Society Inc. communication links with others to The clients that have streamline services and ensure they are agoraphobia and anxiety not duplicating their activities. have all this on top, but they are probably better to I knew what other dealing with it than they organisations were out understand, we got one of there locally and so their our clients to make jewellery connecting with our clients and put out craft boxes to as well, it is so essential that help people to occupy their you are part of a network. time. Where to get nappies and things rather than agencies Finally, at a time of a pandemic, doubling up and I think that Society Inc. provides a constant helps because we are reminder to never forget the importance working in communities that of knowing you are not alone. During a we live in. pandemic, it is especially important to have the assurance of a trusted person In addition to their ability to work who will assist in extending your sense effectively within the Little Hulton area, of belonging within the community. Society Inc. has used its reach across Salford to facilitate other organisations Someone being at the end charities to support families living of your gate, a familiar face elsewhere in the city. saying ‘if you want anything ring us’. Basically, because I have a car, we can go across Salford. I’ve just been to

Lower Broughton, so

organisations in Little Hulton are taking care of organisations in Lower Broughton. The massive spec across the whole of Salford is where we are working from now.

A constant theme throughout the evaluation process was the importance of highlighting the value of those who are using Society Inc. services. This did not falter, even during this time of critical and acute need.

(Final) Evaluation of Society Inc.

Conclusion

During this evaluation, there has been contributes to the validation of their civic ample evidence Society Inc. delivers a enterprise. service that is built upon a professional infrastructure. Their delivery is founded Trust is a crucial component of on valuing people, not just within their their infrastructure. They value the trust policies, but embodied in what they, their placed in them by the community, health volunteers and clients experience. They and social services. Equally, they value operate in a landscape of multiple the trust the people of Little Hulton have deprivations, that has endured across placed in them. In turn, the people of time. Little Hulton and Salford who engaged in this study valued the trust, care and Society Inc. seek out the strength in training that Society Inc. invests in them. what people can provide, with support, to each another. They see beyond the This small charity manages to vulnerability created by multi-faceted deliver services, predominantly in Little and generational deprivation. That Hulton, but also across the city, on a perspective enables them to recognise shoestring budget. It maximises the skills the strength and courage needed to of its clients, volunteers and staff to meet survive, if not thrive despite adversity complex and changing needs in one of and deprivation. country’s most deprived areas. Importantly Society Inc. invest, their Using experiential evidence this limited funds in people and their capacity evaluation demonstrates how Society to develop and contribute to others. It is Inc. contributes to the development of a model of sustainability. social inclusion. They enable local people to support others in their community and facilitate local communities to support each other. Additionally, they provide accredited training which builds knowledge and skills which are reinvested back into the community.

The report evidences how Society Inc. empowers social inclusion. It does this in a variety of ways, which are all built on the development of reliable authentic - personal relationships. This small charity thrives on an ever growing network of individuals and local organisations who come together to collectively meet the needs of others. The growth of their organisational and referral network 20

(Draft) Evaluation of Society Inc.

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