Findings from an independent evaluation of ChangeUp covering the initial funding period for the programme from April 2004 to March 2008 have been published.

The findings show how the programme’s early focus on partnerships and greater collaboration contributed to a significant distance travelled in the way that third sector support services are organised.

This led to greater stability and resilience and opened up greater funding opportunities and influence. The report also highlights high levels of satisfaction amongst users of local support services.

The evaluation, carried out by the Third Sector Research Centre, BMG Research, Guidestar Data Services and Sustain Consultancy, concludes that by the end of the first phase of ChangeUp investment, partnerships established at a local level in response to the ChangeUp programme had supported the development of better local relationships between third sector organisations and public agencies, leading to greater influence within local decision making.

However, the evaluation also identifies the need, going forward, for the programme to address different rates of progress in local partnerships, and to ensure improvements in partnership working contribute effectively to the development of services for local frontline third sector groups.

The report was published by Capacitybuilders this week and is available on  the Improving Support website. It was overseen by an independent advisory panel - chaired by Danielle Walker Palmour – which also included representation from Charities Evaluation Services, OTS, the NAO and the Cities Research Centre.

Commenting on the report, Capacitybuilders’ Chief Executive Matt Leach said: "The evaluation provides a valuable insight into the impact of the early years of ChangeUp investment, highlighting in particular significant improvements made in partnership and collaboration in the delivery of support at a local level. Effective partnership, joint  working and collaboration will become increasingly important as demand for support services continues to increase against a background of tighter funding across the sector.”

Following publication of the evaluation of ChangeUp to March 2008, the evaluation will now shift to evaluating the progress of ChangeUp from April 2008 through to March 2011, and will publish further reports during 2010-11.

Quick Facts
• Capacitybuilders, the government agency responsible for improving the advice and support available to frontline third sector organisations took over the management of the ChangeUp programme in April 2006
• The ChangeUp framework has been backed-up by three phases of Government investment: 2004-06, 2006-08 and 2008-11
• Government investment for 2004-2008 was £150m with a further £88.5m confirmed by the Office of the Third Sector for the three year period 2008-11.

Article published on Capacitybuilders website: Click Here

The report is available to download (PDF Format): Click Here