TY - JOUR

T1 - A study to explore the feasibility of using a social return on investment approach to evaluate short breaks

AU - Toms, Gill

AU - Stringer, Carys

AU - Prendergast, Louise

AU - Seddon, Diane

AU - Anthony, Bethany

AU - Edwards, Rhiannon Tudor

PY - 2023/8/24

Y1 - 2023/8/24

N2 - Short breaks help maintain caring relationships, enabling people to remain living in their own homes and contributing significant economic benefit to public services. However, relatively little is known about the added social value generated by community-based short breaks. To address this evidence gap, we explored the feasibility of using a Social Return on Investment (SROI) evaluation to explore a day support service in North Wales for people living with dementia and their unpaid carers. Following good practice for evaluating complex interventions, we developed a logic model based on the literature and interviews to understand the mechanisms and outcomes of the day support service. Using questionnaires, we quantified outcomes for the current service cohort, which included people living with dementia, unpaid carers, and paid companions. Seven people living with dementia, three unpaid carers and four companions completed questionnaires. Through following the SROI analysis approach, three key learning points were identified. The first was around ways to capture outcomes from all stakeholder sub-groups expected to experience material change. The second concerned the importance of collecting longitudinal data. This included the need to consider how to adapt the SROI method to work with small populations. The third concerned how to value ‘maintenance’ of wellbeing as well as improved wellbeing.

AB - Short breaks help maintain caring relationships, enabling people to remain living in their own homes and contributing significant economic benefit to public services. However, relatively little is known about the added social value generated by community-based short breaks. To address this evidence gap, we explored the feasibility of using a Social Return on Investment (SROI) evaluation to explore a day support service in North Wales for people living with dementia and their unpaid carers. Following good practice for evaluating complex interventions, we developed a logic model based on the literature and interviews to understand the mechanisms and outcomes of the day support service. Using questionnaires, we quantified outcomes for the current service cohort, which included people living with dementia, unpaid carers, and paid companions. Seven people living with dementia, three unpaid carers and four companions completed questionnaires. Through following the SROI analysis approach, three key learning points were identified. The first was around ways to capture outcomes from all stakeholder sub-groups expected to experience material change. The second concerned the importance of collecting longitudinal data. This included the need to consider how to adapt the SROI method to work with small populations. The third concerned how to value ‘maintenance’ of wellbeing as well as improved wellbeing.

U2 - 10.1155/2023/4699751

DO - 10.1155/2023/4699751

M3 - Article

VL - 2023

JO - Health and Social Care in the Community

JF - Health and Social Care in the Community

SN - 0966-0410

M1 - 4699751

ER -