In this VCSE Research Partnerships guest blog, Dr Bronia Arnott talks about evaluation – what it is, how it is different from research, and shares insights from the NIHR School for Public Health Research Voluntary Sector Evaluation scheme pilot.
In the VCSE sector, organisations are often at the forefront of tackling complex social and health challenges. But how can we understand the impact of the work, improve services, and make the case for continued support? That’s where evaluation comes in.
Evaluation is the process of robustly assessing an initiative or service to understand whether it works and the impact that it has. While research aims to generate new knowledge through pre-designed studies, evaluation is often more practical, responsive and context specific. It helps organisations reflect, adapt, and improve based on real-world feedback. Many in the VCSE sector will be familiar with evaluating their work to demonstrate their impact to funders.
The VoySES (Voluntary Sector Evaluation Scheme), developed by the NIHR School for Public Health Research, works with VCSE sector to evaluate their public health activities through partnerships with academic researchers. The scheme is designed to build capacity for evaluation in the VCSE sector and ensure that learning from the findings is embedded in practice. The scheme is currently in a pilot phase supported through a collaboration with People’s Health Trust a national charity addressing health inequalities through the building blocks of health including our work, our environment, and where we live.
One of the VoySES-supported pilot projects, Discrimination and Health, is working with grassroots community organisations to explore how experiences of discrimination affect health and wellbeing. The evaluation focuses on how VCSE groups can support individuals facing discrimination and how these efforts contribute to resilience and health equity. This kind of evaluation not only sheds light on the lived experiences of marginalised groups, but also strengthens the case for inclusive, community-led interventions.
Another project, Good Work for Young People’s Mental Health, is evaluating the impact of Individual Placement Support (IPS) on young people’s mental health and employment outcomes.
Evaluation starts with asking thoughtful questions, listening to people who are impacted, and using what you learn to improve. The VoySES scheme shows how evaluation can be empowering—not just for organisations, but for the communities they serve.
Evaluation is not just a tool—it is a pathway to deeper impact.
Dr Bronia Arnott is passionate about research and evaluation done with and by people and communities, rather than to, about or for them. She holds roles across the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) including working as a Public and Patient Involvement and Engagement Methodologist for the Research Support Service and the Specialist Centre for Public Health delivered by Newcastle University and Partners. Bronia is co-chair of the Creating Connections Network Core meetings in the North East North Cumbria.
If you have any questions about VoySES please contact Bronia Arnott via email: sphr.phpes@newcastle.ac.uk
Learn more about VONNE’s VCSE Research Partnerships work on our website here.