“The community researchers have relished the opportunity to make a difference in their communities. They have felt proud and inspired. What’s more, several have made tangible achievements, by starting new training, going to university or getting a new job. Confidence levels, enthusiasm and self-reliance have soared through the roof. Many of the residents are now running preventative ‘loneliness solutions’ in their own communities – playgroups, pop-up cafes, walking groups and cultural markets.”
Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Neighbourhood Approaches to Loneliness – Evaluation Report
“It is clear that participatory appraisal can be a powerful methodology to engage residents in neighbourhood action planning. It has helped discover the views of a very mixed range of people in communities, including hard-to-reach groups build sustainable, trusted, local capacity to participate in neighbourhood renewal. A substantial amount of data on the three study areas has been stored on a database. This gives the research an essential robustness.”
South Tyneside Council
“The programme was life changing for those most closely involved. Many gained confidence, self‑worth and emotional intelligence. Some made tangible gains, such as returning to college or employment; many acquired skills.”
Joseph Rowntree Foudation, Neighbourhood Approaches to Loneliness – Evaluation Report
“The highlight of the programme was its participatory approach, which placed local people at the heart of everything. It allowed them to fail or succeed, learn as they go and, eventually, form small teams of residents dedicated to creating change for themselves and their neighbours. Notably, community researchers suggested very few improvements.”
Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Neighbourhood Approaches to Loneliness – Evaluation Report
“Thank you all for the hard work you put into delivering on this project. I appreciate the honest feedback and the transparency with which the data and findings are presented, including all the tools used. I know you all went above and beyond to get this delivered. Visiting and observing the work with the young people genuinely was the highlight of my time working here! …far more rewarding than desk work. Very inspiring, and I knew you would do a fantastic job, so I want to say thank you so much.”
Public Health Hackney
“The leadership training brought an immense change my life. I have finally secured a place for learning and teaching at Leeds University. I would like to share the good news as you have been a great mentor. Thank you so much for the encouragement and support.”
Course Participant
“Thank you for your training, kind words and encouragement, I’ve grown as a person.”
Course Participant
“There is no limit and I have learnt so much from this course, a great sense of leadership. The course was very enlightening and talked about words like vision and interpreting this is very big. I will be applying this course in my daily life. There is honest, integrity, compassion and dynamic. The course has brought many parts of the world together. Each of us can capacity build. Roger is democratic and has a great training style, he motivates our minds.”
Course Participant
“I feel like my leadership skills have developed because in the first session I didn’t have the confidence, but now I feel like I can solve many problems. I would recommend this course to communities and not just community leaders.”
Course Participant
“Roger is a wonderful mentor who is inspirational.”
Course Participant
