Capital Volunteering Fourth Interim Report
Jul 9
The fourth interim report from Capital Volunteering has been published.
The latest evidence that Capital Volunteering is working, based on the evaluation of the programme, has just been produced in a fourth interim report by the Institute of Psychiatry. The Summary document based on the findings of the report can be downloaded here
It was a challenging experience. It gave me a purpose in life. When I was suicidal I didn’t like who I was or see where I was. That has now changed because I have a purpose.”
It describes the volunteering experiences, health and quality of life, service use and social inclusion of the 95 members of the research cohort who were followed up at 12 months. The original cohort comprised 150 people recruited from 51 Capital Volunteering projects in 11 London boroughs. Baseline interviews took place between July 2005 and January 2007, when participants first joined a local project. They were followed up at 6 months and finally at 12 months. It also presents peoples expectations and experiences of taking part in Capital Volunteering projects. A copy of the full report is available on Capital Volunteering’s website where you also can download previous interim reports.
Participants are reporting significant changes around social inclusion with further evidence of growth in participants’ social networks, with statistically significant increases in active friendships and in the number of friends who were not service users. In addition people were reporting improvements in self-esteem and self-confidence, as well as increase in activities and use of services outside of mental health.
90% of those involved after 1 year reported that they were giving back and had something to contribute.
“I gained….a lot of self-confidence and realisation I can give something back and I do have something to offer the community. It’s helped me look at my long term plan and given me steps towards it.”
