New Client: Freshwater Renaissance

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Bringing Freshwater to Life – With a Little Help from The Evaluator

Freshwater Renaissance is a bold and brilliant programme run by the National Trust, designed to revive and protect our freshwater habitats – think rivers, wetlands, and all those bubbling brooks that quietly support entire ecosystems. With funding from the Species Survival Fund and the National Lottery Heritage Fund, it’s all about reversing species decline, restoring natural beauty, and making sure people feel connected to the watery wonders around them. From family fun days and community volunteering to hands-on habitat restoration, this project isn’t just about science – it’s about people, places, and planets working together.

That’s where we come in. The Evaluator has been brought on board to carry out a full evaluation of the Freshwater Renaissance programme. Our job is to measure what’s working, where it’s making a difference, and how the learning can help shape future efforts. We’re tracking everything from biodiversity benefits to community engagement, using tools like surveys, focus groups, and a few clever dashboards to make sense of it all. But we’re not just number-crunchers – we’re storytellers too. That means rich case studies, creative outputs, and real-time feedback to help the team adapt and celebrate successes as they go. It’s not just about impact – it’s about making sure that impact lasts.

View more about the project here: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/our-cause/nature-climate/nature-conservation/freshwater-community-grant-fund

If you have questions or want to explore how The Evaluator can help your organisation drive impact, feel free to get in touch! Email us now on info@theevaluator.co.uk or call 01756 532 538.

New Client: Everybody Leisure

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Figuring Out What Matters – Social Impact, Measured with Heart

What’s the real value of a community gym? Or a swim class? Or a space where 100 children with disabilities feel safe and supported each week? For Everybody Leisure, a large trust with 17 sites and over 25,000 members, the answer is clear: it matters. But until now, they’ve lacked the numbers to fully back that up.

That’s where we come in.

The Evaluator has been invited to carry out a full Social Return on Investment (SROI) evaluation for Everybody Leisure in 2025 – and we couldn’t be more excited. This isn’t just about tracking numbers at the door. It’s about understanding the full picture: the wellbeing gains, the mental health boosts, the community connections, and the ripple effect that comes when a leisure trust goes beyond the treadmill.

We’ll be diving deep – creating surveys, listening to real stories, and analysing how this wide-reaching organisation is supporting thousands of people in different ways. From the gym-goers to the participants in health programmes, from volunteers to carers, we’re capturing what this organisation really delivers, and for whom. It’s about more than just proving value – it’s about shaping future programmes and championing the incredible work that already happens day in, day out.

SROI is a powerful tool. It doesn’t just measure change in pounds and pence – it tells the story of that change in people’s own words. And with a strong team (including in-person visits, case studies, and data analysis from every angle), we’ll help Everybody Leisure turn their community impact into something clear, credible, and compelling.

Because understanding what works – and sharing it with funders, staff, and the public – is how we build stronger, fairer systems. And it all starts with asking the right questions.

View more about the organisation here: https://everybody.org.uk/

If you have questions or want to explore how The Evaluator can help your organisation drive impact, feel free to get in touch! Email us now on info@theevaluator.co.uk or call 01756 532 538.

If you want to know more about Social Return on Investment – check out our previous blog post:

Want to Learn More About SROI?

We’ve written a dedicated blog post explaining Social Return on Investment (SROI), what it is, and whether it’s the right fit for your organisation.

👉 Read: Social Return on Investment – What Is It and Do I Want It?

New Client: Scottish Gymnastics

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Measuring the Magic of Movement – Social Impact Style

Scottish Gymnastics is on a mission to prove what they already know deep down – that their Love to Move programme is having a powerful, positive impact on people’s lives. Designed especially for older adults and those living with dementia, Love to Move brings gentle gymnastics into community spaces, helping participants stay active, connected and joyful. With funding support from Sport Scotland and big plans for the future, it’s time to gather the evidence – and that’s where we come in.

The Evaluator has been asked to carry out a full Social Return on Investment (SROI) evaluation to capture the true value of this uplifting work. We’ll be chatting with carers, community group leads, and care home staff to hear what’s working, where the magic happens, and how far the ripple effects reach. We know that working with people living with dementia needs sensitivity and creativity, so we’ll be thoughtful, inclusive, and as fun and flexible as the programme itself. Our final report will blend data with storytelling – all designed to help Scottish Gymnastics make a compelling case for future funding and shine a spotlight on a programme that’s moving people in more ways than one.

View more about the project here: https://www.scottishgymnastics.org/experience/disciplines/general-gymnastics/love-to-move/

If you have questions or want to explore how The Evaluator can help your organisation drive impact, feel free to get in touch! Email us now on info@theevaluator.co.uk or call 01756 532 538.

New Client: Denton Reserve

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Digging Deep at Denton Reserve – A Tale of Two Evaluations

Nestled in the heart of nature, Denton Reserve is aiming high. As part of Natural England’s Landscape Recovery initiative, the team is not just restoring land—they’re building a vision for long-term change. From regenerative farming to rewilding waterways, and from citizen science to green prescribing, this project is all about making nature’s recovery real, measurable, and meaningful. But with so many moving parts, how do you track what’s working and make sure everyone feels a part of the journey?

That’s where we come in. The Evaluator is supporting Denton Reserve in two ways. First, we’re helping shape a long-term evaluation framework—essentially a roadmap that makes sure all the big ambitions (like boosting biodiversity and public wellbeing) are developed with community voices. We’re bringing an independent eye to stakeholder consultation, making sure the voices of communities, volunteers, and nature-lovers are heard loud and clear as the programme evolves.

The second strand of our work is a fast-turnaround bit of number-wrangling. We’ve got a batch of survey responses in hand, and we’ll be diving into the data to provide quick, clear insights into what’s already happening on the ground. Think charts, key themes, and visual summaries that are easy to share—and even easier to act on. It’s a great example of how combining the big-picture strategy with practical analysis can help a project like Denton Reserve grow with confidence, clarity and connection.

View more about the organisation here: https://dentonreserve.co.uk/

If you have questions or want to explore how The Evaluator can help your organisation drive impact, feel free to get in touch! Email us now on info@theevaluator.co.uk or call 01756 532 538.

NEW RETURN CLIENT – CUMBRIA SEED BANK

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NEW RETURN CLIENT – CUMBRIA SEED BANK

The Evaluator is delighted to be working with a return client; Cumbria Wildlife Trust on their new project, Cumbria Seed Bank.

“We’re pleased to announce a new two-year project to boost the declining number of grassland wildflowers and plants in Cumbria. Thanks to £250,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, we’ll re-introduce or bolster 14 rare plant species at selected locations in South Lakeland and are looking for volunteers to get involved.

Thanks to National Lottery players, over the coming two years up to 40,000 plants will be grown from seed at our plant nursery near Carlisle. The rare seeds are already being collected (with permission) and carefully stored at the Seed Store at Gosling Sike. Over coming months, we’ll work with volunteers to plant the seeds in our wildflower nursery. Later on, volunteers will plant the plug plants in suitable locations that have been selected in south Cumbria.

A group of 24 farmers and other landowners have already signed up to grow the endangered species on their land. We’ll support them into the future, so that the landowners can provide the best conditions for these plants to prosper and establish strongholds.”

The Evaluator is delighted to be evaluating this project – supporting the team to make sure that their project is impactful, delivers the outcomes they want and ensures that it follows all the National Lottery Heritage Fund evaluation good practice guidance.

New Client: Beacon Dementia

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Beacon of Hope – A Community-Led Response to Dementia

Beacon is a heartfelt, grassroots initiative that began with two women, Rachel and Jane, spotting a gap in their local community for people living with dementia and their carers. What started as a small craft group in a fire station has grown into something far more ambitious – a supportive, welcoming space centred around “The Shed,” where people can meet, connect and thrive. Over the past eight years, Beacon has become a true anchor in Rossendale – somewhere that holds people across the whole dementia journey, from diagnosis to bereavement and beyond.

Now, with fresh funding from the National Lottery Community Fund, the team is ready to build on all they’ve learned. The plan? To grow Beacon into a network of three hubs across the valley, expanding their reach and deepening their support for carers and families. They’re also bringing on paid staff for the first time to ease the load on their (very dedicated!) volunteer trustees – and the energy and ambition are clear.

At The Evaluator, we’re proud to be part of this next chapter. Our evaluation will help Beacon track the difference they make – not just in numbers, but in people’s lives. We’ll be looking at how the service supports wellbeing, strengthens resilience, reduces isolation, and holds whole families through incredibly tough times. We’ll also help them capture the ripple effects – from carer relief to community connection – and gather real, honest feedback that helps them keep improving. Because Beacon isn’t just a service – it’s a lifeline. And we want to help them shine even brighter.

View more about the project here: https://www.beaconrossendale.org.uk/

If you have questions or want to explore how The Evaluator can help your organisation drive impact, feel free to get in touch! Email us now on info@theevaluator.co.uk or call 01756 532 538.

New Return Client: Arts for wellbeing

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The Evaluator is delighted to be working with a return client; Pendle Leisure Trust on the project evaluation for Arts for Wellbeing.

We’ve been longstanding fans of how art can make you feel better. In fact, Kirsty Rose, Director of The Evaluator, spent almost ten years as a project manager in arts and health.

The arts are great for wellbeing because they help us to relax and express ourselves. Whether it’s painting, dancing, or playing music, getting creative lets us switch off from stress and focus on something fun. It’s a break from everyday worries and a chance to enjoy the moment. Plus, creating art can boost confidence, especially when we see our skills improving over time. Even just listening to music or watching a play can lift our mood and help us to feel more connected to the world around us.

Being creative also helps with mental health by giving us a way to process emotions. Sometimes, it’s hard to put feelings into words, but drawing, writing, or even acting them out can make it easier. The arts also bring people together, whether through a community choir, a book club, or a dance class. Sharing creative experiences with others helps us feel less alone and more supported. It’s a great way to meet new people, have fun, and feel a sense of achievement.

We’re delighted to have the chance to work with Pendle Leisure Trust again to help them tell their story of impact through this project.

New Client: Eden Rivers Trust

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New Client: Eden Rivers Trust

The Evaluator is delighted to be working on a new project with the Eden Rivers Trust. Using the tagline “breaking barriers, building bridges”, this project is dedicated to reaching new communities and places access at the heart of all it has planned. It’s just the sort of work we love to do.

Eden Rivers Trust Explain:

“Access to Eden: breaking barriers, building bridges is a partnership project, led by Eden Rivers Trust that will remove the barriers that prevent people and wildlife from accessing the natural heritage of East Cumbria and ‘build the bridges’ needed so that they enjoy and thrive in, on and beside Eden’s rivers.

The project is split into two broad areas:

Greener spaces on your doorstep
This is about making improvements to the river environment at eight sites that are ‘on the doorstep’ of urban areas along the length of the river Eden – creating sustainable, healthy and thriving natural spaces. Many of these will be community-led/inspired practical conservation projects that will make the sites in Carlisle, Lower Eden, Penrith and Source of the Eden (Kirkby Stephen) better places for people and wildlife.

An Eden for everyone
This is a programme of activities, often connected to the doorstep sites above but also covering the whole of the Eden catchment area, that will create opportunities for people to enjoy Eden’s rivers and nature. This will include improvements to selected walks and trails, coupled with better information plus opportunities including volunteering, training and events for all ages and abilities to get closer to nature, so that more people can explore, enjoy and care for Eden’s rivers.

Core to our project is the desire to create an organic community conservation network for the Eden. We see this operating across organisational boundaries where ideas, knowledge, and opportunities flow from one site to the next, across the Eden, and take our beneficiaries with them, ensuring they have the maximum opportunity to experience the natural heritage of the Eden on their own terms.”

View more about the project here:

Eden Rivers Trust – Access to Eden: Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges

If you have questions or want to explore how The Evaluator can help your organisation drive impact, feel free to get in touch! Email us now on info@theevaluator.co.uk or call 01756 532 538.