Grahame Park Theory of Change
EVALUATION
Client: Notting Hill Genesis Housing Association
Working with Community Regen, we guided 14 organisations through a Theory of Change process to engage stakeholders in achieving the north London neighbourhood’s vision. Our work continues as we evaluate the Neighbourhood Theory of Change to measure the changes and successes within the area.
In 2018, WSA and Community Regen (Paul Bragman Community and Economic Regeneration Consultants), built on our previous year’s work developing a Theory of Change for Grahame Park (watch interview), an area undergoing substantial regeneration in Barnet. We’ve been working with 14 organisations across the area as this pilot stage has continued.
In partnership with the local stakeholders in Grahame Park, we’ve developed a clear, new and different approach to planning and evaluating neighbourhood- based work. This has involved supporting one-to-one meetings, group workshops and a learning event to share how stakeholders can better align their work to the Theory of Change, and how by working together this can contribute to neighbourhood-wide change.
In addition to this, we’re evaluating the impact of the Theory of Change on the neighbourhood. The aim of this is to share learning, identify where embedding this process is working and address the challenges where things aren’t working as well. A working group chaired by Notting Hill Genesis and including a range of local partners is supporting the evaluation process and the wider implementation of the Theory of Change in Grahame Park.
We report back on the evaluation in March 2019 and look forward to sharing the findings with all involved in Grahame Park.
Grahame Park Vision
An engaged, strong, innovative and prosperous community where different people connect, feel safe, share a sense of ownership and are proud of where they live, work and play.
Why Theory of Change?
Theory of Change is a way of planning and evaluating programmes. It works to explain the current context for a programme (the assumptions).
It outlines the processes that help to make change happen (the drivers), the ultimate changes that it aims to achieve (outcomes), and how success will be measured in relation to the changes that are being aimed for (indicators).
WSA Community Consultants uses a realist approach to Theory of Change, supported by Gillian Granville and refined through undertaking long- term evaluations and reviewing methodology and approach, to ensure we’re working in a way that is both current and supportive of what works well for the client.