Evaluating Success

Evaluation is an essential part of running an effective befriending service. FUN provides on going evaluation of each individual match, based on outcomes assessment. Each match is also closely monitored and supported on a one-to-one basis, and all progress is documented on file. In addition, FUN has operated the PQASSO Quality Assurance system since 1998 and regularly reviews its standards of practice.

Key Outcomes

The 2006-7 evaluation revealed that FUN volunteers are making a difference in the following ways:

We asked the children about how it had affected them:

• 69% felt that their behaviour had improved
• 85% felt that they were better at making decisions
• 100% felt that they were more confident when trying new things
• 77% felt that they were moved involved in activities at school

We asked the volunteers how it had affected the child they support:

• 79% felt the child’s social skills had improved
• 71% felt that the child’s self-confidence had increased
• 86% felt that the child was more confident at expressing emotions
• 71% felt that the children were more confident in trying new things

But don’t just take our word for it!

FUN has been independently evaluated by Prof. Antony Cox and Prof. Hilton Davis at the Academic Unit of Psychiatry and Psychology at Guy’s Hospital London. The 1996 report concluded that:

"FUN enriched the young people's lives, had a beneficial effect on their mental health, contributed to the improvement of behavioural, emotional and school problems and enhanced their self-esteem."

FUN has also been evaluated by New Philanthropy Capital (NPC) in two separate reports:

Lean on Me – Mentoring for young people at risk (2007)
School’s out? – Truancy and exclusion (2005)

Both reports can be downloaded from the NPC website at:
www.philanthropycapital.org

And finally…..

FUN was delighted to receive the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in June 2007. This accolade is a lifetime award and is given for excellence in voluntary activities carried out by groups in the community. More information on the award can be found at:
www.queensawardvoluntary.gov.uk