Healthy Neighbours Project

  • Project partners:
    Torus Foundation, Envoy Partnership
  • Project location:
    Liverpool, St. Helens, and Warrington, UK
  • Project type:
    Social Impact Evaluation
  • Publication year:
    2025

About the Project

Launched by Torus Foundation in 2022, the Healthy Neighbours Project aims to reduce health and wellbeing inequalities across Liverpool, St Helens, and Warrington. Supported by National Lottery funding secured in 2023, this initiative partners with local community organisations to deliver targeted activities addressing locally identified health issues. The project operates across six locations: Granby Toxteth Triangle and Daneville Estate in Liverpool; Four Acre and Parr in St Helens; and Grasmere & Greenwood Estate, and St Elphin’s & St Katherine’s Estate in Warrington. Each location is staffed with dedicated coordinators and trained volunteers who, with regular mentoring and training in areas like mental health first aid, safeguarding, and asset-based community development, are well equipped to support their communities. The project prioritises communities with below-average health indicators, focusing on improving overall health outcomes.

Methodology

The evaluation aimed to assess the Social Return on Investment (SROI) and provide robust evaluation tools to enhance decision-making and operational practices. The research employed a mixed-method approach, integrating quantitative data (surveys, activity data) and qualitative data (stakeholder interviews, ethnographic observations, thematic analysis) collected between May and August 2024. Envoy Partnership also utilised the Social Value Manager tool to support the analysis and foster improved data capture practices across the related projects.

Findings

Socio-economic Impact

The Healthy Neighbours Project has generated a substantial socio-economic value of approximately £4,297,549 over two years of activity. Compared to the total input investment of £655,429, this represents a potential Social Return
on Investment (SROI) estimate of £6.56 for every £1 invested. When accounting for volunteer hours (approximately 12,603 volunteering hours valued at £11.44 per hour (National Living Wage)), the SROI ratio adjusts to £5.5 per £1 invested.

  • Subjective wellbeing value to residents and volunteers, directly tied to improvements in the outcomes survey indicators (for residents), collectively equates to an estimated social value of approximately £3,436,406.
  • Resource saving value to health services derive from early detection activities, reduced GP visits, and decreased severe mental health impacts contributing to secondary and community care savings. This avoidance of admissions translates to approximately £344,257 resource savings to the NHS.
  • Additional financial benefits for statutory agencies including Housing, Adult Social Care, and criminal justice system total c.£516,887 through reduced rent arrears, delayed care entry, and decreased antisocial behaviour etc.

Impact on Volunteers

Based on 20 in-depth interviews with volunteers, qualitative research with delivery partners, the evaluation identified that the Healthy Neighbours Project has had a significant positive impact on volunteers, enhancing their skills, confidence, and overall wellbeing. Key outcomes include:

  • Enhanced skills and knowledge through comprehensive training programmes
  • Increased confidence in roles and ability to support community members
  • Improved emotional resilience and ability to handle challenging situations
  • Development of critical skills in areas such as suicide prevention and first aid
  • Heightened sense of purpose and satisfaction from community engagement
  • Expanded social networks and improved social connections
  • Increased self-confidence and willingness to take on leadership roles
  • Positive impacts on mental and emotional wellbeing

“Although I’m very outgoing when I’m volunteering, I’m not very outgoing otherwise. I’m introverted, which means I don’t like bothering people. If I see people outside, I don’t necessarily go up to them and speak to them. Volunteering has brought me out of myself and makes me more sociable – now I’ve got more of a social group because we’re all like family. We’re all family in a way.”

Volunteer

Impact on Delivery Partners

Evidencing through one-to-one interviews and anonymised outcome surveys with all four delivery partners, delivery partners have experienced benefits from their involvement in the Healthy Neighbours Project, leading to improved organisational capacity and community impact. The key outcomes for delivery partners are:

  • Expanded reach beyond usual audiences, amplifying overall impact
  • Enhanced recognition and brand awareness, including award nominations
  • Improved project evaluation and process improvements
  • Strengthened connections with other local organisations
  • Access to shared resources and community spaces, improving collaboration and efficiency
  • Increased support and training opportunities for staff and volunteers
  • Improved ability to provide enhanced direct support to residents

Learnings

Based on the evaluation findings, recommendations are grouped into four key areas: Project Reach and Scope, NHS Outreach and Local Health Services, Volunteer and Delivery Partner Experience, and Process Improvements.

Project Reach and Scope
  • Expand Demographic Engagement: To ensure greater inclusivity, outreach efforts should be extended to underrepresented groups, including younger adults, working-age individuals, and ethnic minority residents.
    Strategies may include partnerships with local institutions, culturally relevant promotions, and targeted health programmes.
  • Enhance Promotion and Accessibility: Moving to a year-round, multi-lingual promotional strategy and providing NHS staff and pharmacists with targeted toolkits will help increase project visibility, particularly among vulnerable and linguistically diverse residents.
  • Conduct Needs Assessment and Map Services: Before implementing new strategies, a comprehensive assessment and service mapping are recommended to align resources and avoid redundancy.
  • To optimise funding allocation, consider using funds to enhance health screening integration with NHS services, particularly for diabetes and cardiovascular risk assessments. Beyond current funding, explore partnerships with local businesses and healthcare providers to create diversified funding streams. Additionally, use funding to increase the number of delivery sites (e.g., from 6 to 10) and volunteer numbers through strategic partnerships with local universities and colleges.

To extend NHS reach and accessibility, project sites should incorporate additional on-site health services, such as flu vaccinations, BMI checks, diabetes management workshops, and cancer screenings. Addressing digital exclusion, particularly among older residents, will also be important to ensure equitable access to services.

  • Enhance Volunteer Engagement and Skills Development: Establish structured volunteer roles, clear handbooks, and skills development programmes, including pathways that align with employability. Recognising milestones and engaging volunteers through forums will potentially improve retention and satisfaction.
  • Foster Collaborative Learning and Agency-Building: Implement volunteer and resident forums and/or a “Community Classroom” for knowledge exchange among delivery partners, residents, and volunteers to promote shared learning and community-led initiatives and to further build on agency.
  • Data Collection and Reporting: Focus on tracking resident impact survey scores and volunteer progressions, with surveys available in multiple languages to address inclusivity. Strengthen data collection by standardising reporting systems and implementing regular verification processes. Support staff and volunteers with training on best practices in data collection to ensure robust data quality.
  • Leverage Torus Housing Insights: Integrate data from Torus Housing to refine Healthy Neighbours interventions and improve alignment with local needs. Systematic sharing of project insights with Torus Housing will also support continuous improvement and tenant satisfaction.

Further Information

Contact details