Author: Sharon Sharman, Learning and Evaluation Manager, VOICES   A reflection of positive partnership work during some of our toughest times     Opportunities included a variety of masterclasses, bespoke workshops, short courses, accredited courses, and co-delivery of online conferences and webinars in which organizations have worked together to deliver positive practice.  These include Homeless Link, Adult Safeguarding Boards, NHS and LGA (Local Government Association).   Although the delivery route had changed (moved to online platform during lockdown) we applied the same logic model that had been tested over previous years and captured in the Citywide Learning Progamme Evaluation 2020:     The influence for the design and delivery of the learning opportunities were the core success factors of the learning programme: The creation of a shared-learning environment across organisations working with people with multiple needs The provision of high-quality learning opportunities that are current, tailored to participants’ needs and delivered by engaging and skilled trainers The centrality of lived experience to the programme   How did we make it happen? Although lockdown measures did not come into force until 26th March 2020, the VOICES team acted rapidly to support customer, staff, and stakeholders considering Covid – 19.  Urgent meetings were held to inform colleagues that substantial changes to working practices were… Continue Reading

By Sharon Sharman, Learning and Evaluation Manager, VOICES   Since 2015 the VOICES citywide learning programme has provided a huge number of regular learning opportunities that are FREE to access for services across Stoke-on-Trent who are working to support people experiencing multiple needs.   An external evaluator has recently conducted an evaluation of the learning programme which is soon to be published; this will be distributed to contacts and be available through the VOICES website.  Within this independent report there is a focus on learning activities throughout 2019.  We were blown away to realise that, during this period, we had delivered to more than 2000 attendees from more than 30 organisations.     As part of the evaluation a range of services were contacted by the evaluator to participate in telephone interviews that have contributed to the findings;  we would like to say thanks to those involved as well as to all the individuals who have engaged with opportunities since the start of our project who provide feedback at each event.  Your views are crucial to the development of the learning programme and we aim to include ideas for events based on needs identified from across the city. The impact of Covid 19 resulted in the learning… Continue Reading

By Becky Rice, Local Evaluator   In the coming week’s two outputs from the local evaluation will be published on the VOICES website:   Hard Edges in Stoke-on-Trent (ii) explores how contact with criminal justice and some health services has been impacted by customers engaging with VOICES. Once again, data shows that service coordination reduces customer’s contacts such as A&E attendances and arrests.   The second report will explore the role of the CAB specialist advisor within the Service Coordination Team at VOICES – this approach has had many benefits for customers and the team are keen to share learning from the experience.   Please look out for the VOICES stakeholder survey 2018 – it’s that time again, we will be seeking feedback from a wide range of stakeholders about our work. This is essential to help us learn and improve – and to feedback to our Big Lottery funders.… Continue Reading