16 12, 2022

New publication out now – Evaluating Fulfilling Lives: Learning from a programme evaluation

By |2022-12-16T13:01:45+00:00December 16th, 2022|Categories: News|

Today we publish our new report, Evaluating Fulfilling Lives: Learning from a programme evaluation, summarising key learning from conducting national and local evaluations of the Fulfilling Lives programme.

Fulfilling Lives was a hugely complex programme operating in, and aiming to influence, complex systems. The programme therefore required similarly complex and unique approaches to evaluation. We and the local evaluation teams learned much over the eight years Fulfilling Lives spanned. This report details where and how the evaluation succeeded and where we didn’t get it right, so that others may learn from both.

Guided by our own insight, and that of The National Lottery Community Fund and the funded partnerships, we have reflected on some of the key approaches and learning from evaluating a large, multi-site, complex […]

13 12, 2022

Learning published in academic journal special edition

By |2022-12-13T13:51:33+00:00December 13th, 2022|Categories: News|

We are very excited to share that learning from the Fulfilling Lives evaluation locally and nationally has recently been published in a special issue of an academic journal.

Housing, Care and Support – a journal on policy, research and practice, published by Emerald Insight – is hosting a double-issue special edition based around Fulfilling Lives. Supporting people experiencing multiple disadvantage: evidence from the Fulfilling Lives programme is Volume 25, Issue 3-4 of the long-running journal and includes articles from the national evaluation as well as eight of the local partnerships. Jo Welford and Rachel Moreton from CFE, along with Kate Green from the National Lottery Community Fund and Beth Collinson, previous Learning Associate based at the University of Sheffield, were guest editors of the special […]

18 11, 2022

New publication: Programme achievements, evaluation findings, learning and resources

By |2022-11-18T10:25:32+00:00November 18th, 2022|Categories: News|

Today we publish our new summative report, celebrating the achievements of the Fulfilling Lives programme and exploring key evaluation findings, learning and resources.

Drawing on a plethora of local and national evaluation reports, updated data analysis and advice from stakeholders across the programme, this report summarises what we have learned and what Fulfilling Lives has achieved. It is also a signpost to various resources offering insight to specific areas of the programme in greater depth.

As the Fulfilling Lives programme ends, it is important to capture what worked, what didn’t and why.

Fulfilling Lives has shown that it is possible to engage and support those with the most complex and entrenched needs. Partnerships demonstrated the benefits of a holistic and strengths-based approach to supporting people. Attitudes towards multiple […]

20 09, 2022

New publication – Creating systems change: Evaluating the contribution of the Fulfilling Lives programme

By |2022-09-20T10:31:46+00:00September 20th, 2022|Categories: News|

Our latest publication, Creating systems change: Evaluating the contribution of the Fulfilling Lives programme, is released today. The report outlines key systems changes in Fulfilling Lives areas over the eight-year programme, and explores the mechanisms that facilitated change.

Systems change has been at the heart of Fulfilling Lives. When the programme started, local systems were described as inefficient, fragmented and inconsistent. There has since been real change.

  • Services now have greater means for collaboration and cross-sector working has improved, with workforces better equipped to support those affected by multiple disadvantage.
  • Attitudes towards, and understanding of, multiple disadvantage have improved – it is now on the national political agenda, with evidence from Fulfilling Lives contributing towards the design and delivery of the Changing Futures programme.
  • Lived […]
23 05, 2022

See the full picture – Conference agenda confirmed

By |2022-05-23T14:10:45+00:00May 23rd, 2022|Categories: News|

We are pleased to announce the confirmed agenda for the forthcoming final conference of the Fulfilling Lives programme. Entitled “Seeing the full picture” the conference on 16th June will celebrate the achievements of the past eight years and share learning from across programme partners. In addition to hearing from the evaluation team, we are pleased to welcome the following keynote speakers:

  • Dominic Williamson is a consultant working with charities and local authorities to improve policy, services and systems for people facing multiple disadvantage. He has over thirty years’ experience working to tackle homelessness, substance use, trauma and reoffending.
  • David Knott was appointed CEO of The National Lottery Community Fund in October 2021. David has had a varied public service career, most recently as Director […]
16 05, 2022

New publication – Coproduction: Principles into Practice

By |2022-05-19T10:32:45+00:00May 16th, 2022|Categories: News|

Our latest publication, Coproduction: Principles into Practice, is released today. Drawing on experience of the Fulfilling Lives programme, the report provides practical guidance and learning on how on how to do coproduction well. It explores the ways in which partnerships have worked towards embedding coproduction in the daily practices of organisations in their local area, contributing towards systemic change.

For coproduction to be effective, participants must be offered equality of access and power imbalances be broken down. This involves frank discussions about the challenges and honest reflections on where improvements need to be made. People with lived experience of multiple disadvantage need to be given the time, space and resource to contribute. They need to be supported and recognised on a level playing field, as […]

31 03, 2022

New publication – Learning from the Crisis: Reflections on the pandemic

By |2022-03-31T17:38:41+00:00March 31st, 2022|Categories: News|

Our latest publication, Learning from the Crisis: Reflections two years on from the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, is released today. The report is a follow-up to our initial rapid assessment of the challenges and opportunities presented by the COVID-19 pandemic that was published in July 2020.

The COVID-19 crisis led to some major changes in the way services and support were provided to people experiencing multiple disadvantage. The immediate and ongoing response to the global crisis demonstrated that different ways of working could be put in place to ensure a quicker, more flexible response to the needs of this group.

The report draws on evidence and experiences from the Fulfilling Lives programme. It explores changes in different services supporting those experiencing multiple disadvantage and […]

4 02, 2022

New publication: ‘More than a roof’ – addressing homelessness with people experiencing multiple disadvantage

By |2022-02-07T09:53:52+00:00February 4th, 2022|Categories: News|Tags: , |

Our latest publication, ‘More than a roof’ – addressing homelessness with people experiencing multiple disadvantage, is published today. Written in collaboration with the National Expert Citizens Group (NECG), the report explores the experiences of homelessness and rough sleeping of people affected by multiple forms of disadvantage. It looks at the reasons why many continue to experience homelessness and the types of support that they find most useful.

More than half of people supported by Fulfilling Lives are homeless when they join the programme. As both a cause and consequence of multiple disadvantage, addressing homelessness is a crucial element in tackling multiple disadvantage.

Overall, there has been a reduction in homelessness and rough sleeping among people receiving help from the programme. However, the change from homelessness […]

6 09, 2021

Save the date: Fulfilling Lives conference 2022

By |2021-09-06T13:29:16+00:00September 6th, 2021|Categories: News|Tags: , , |

We are excited to announce that we have set a date for the final Fulfilling Lives conference. This will be held on Thursday 16th June 2022 and there will be the option to join in person or online.

We will share further details in due course but for the time being, we ask that you save the date. To make sure you receive the booking details when they are available, we recommend one of two options:

We hope that you can join us and we look forward to seeing you in 2022.

4 08, 2021

Changing Futures programme announcement

By |2021-08-04T13:23:01+00:00August 4th, 2021|Categories: News|Tags: , , , |

At the 2019 Spending Review, the government announced a new Shared Outcomes Fund to test innovative ways of bringing together the public sector to address cross-cutting issues and drive the modernisation of public services. £46m of the fund was committed to the Changing Futures programme to improve the way that systems and services work to support individuals experiencing multiple disadvantage. In the context of the programme, this is defined as combination of homelessness, substance misuse, mental ill-health, domestic abuse, or contact with the criminal justice system.

The work of Fulfilling Lives and Making Every Adult Matter (MEAM) were cited in the prospectus and members of the Fulfilling Lives National Expert Citizen Group were involved in the planning of the programme. The Fund demonstrates a […]

17 05, 2021

Improving service transitions for people experiencing multiple disadvantage: Prison release – new publication

By |2021-05-17T10:37:07+00:00May 17th, 2021|Categories: News|Tags: , , , |

Our latest publication, Improving service transitions for people experiencing multiple disadvantage: Prison release, is published today. The experience of prison for people experiencing multiple disadvantage is often a reoccurring series of short sentences, which create huge disruption to their lives with limited benefit in terms of rehabilitation. Among people supported by the Fulfilling Lives programme, there is an association between spending time in prison and having poorer outcomes, including being less likely to leave the programme to a positive destination.

The report details examples of effective practice from Fulfilling Lives areas and insights into how the process of prison release for people experiencing multiple disadvantage could be improved. Key findings show that Fulfilling Lives support workers and navigators who engage with people while they are in […]

31 03, 2021

Why we need to invest in multiple needs – updated briefing published today

By |2021-03-31T17:54:32+00:00March 31st, 2021|Categories: News|Tags: |

Today we publish our latest briefing, Why we need to invest in multiple disadvantage. This updates our earlier briefing of the same name with more recent data and looks at outcomes over a longer period of time.

The briefing explores the substantial cost to the public purse created by misdirected and avoidable use of public services, as well as the human, social and economic costs. The briefing also shows how, after getting support from Fulfilling Lives for nearly a year, people have fewer negative interactions with public services, including fewer arrests, convictions, evictions and visits to A&E. There are also significant reductions in rough sleeping with more people spending time in supported accommodation or their own tenancy.

The analysis is based on data up to March 2020 and […]

8 01, 2021

Workforce development and multiple disadvantage – new briefings published today

By |2021-01-08T13:39:51+00:00January 8th, 2021|Categories: News|Tags: , , , , , , |

Ensuring the workforce is equipped with the necessary skills, knowledge and attitudes is an essential part of providing effective services and support for people experiencing multiple disadvantage. System-wide workforce development is one of five collective strategic priorities identified by Fulfilling Lives partnerships and intended to create sustainable change.

Our latest series of briefings, published today, each focus on a different aspect of workforce development and multiple disadvantage.

People with lived experience have a huge amount to offer the workforce. Their experience can be valuable, particularly in support roles, where they act as role models and rapidly build trust with beneficiaries from the perspective of someone who has been in a similar situation. The first briefing explores ways in which those with lived experience of multiple […]

15 09, 2020

The role of lived experience in creating systems change

By |2020-09-15T10:12:09+00:00September 15th, 2020|Categories: News|Tags: , , |

Creating lasting systems change – at local and national levels – is a key objective of the Fulfilling Lives programme and experts by experience have become increasingly involved in systems change work in their local areas. Our latest publication draws together the experiences and perspectives of partnership staff, partner and stakeholder organisations and insights and reflections from experts by experience (people with lived experience of multiple disadvantage) involved in systems change activities.

By providing a powerful, authentic voice and unique insights, experts are able to challenge assumptions, motivate organisations to do things differently and pinpoint areas for change. The opportunity to be involved in system change activity can be empowering and satisfying as it enables experts to reframe negative past experiences as learning to drive positive […]

29 07, 2020

Closing down beneficiary support projects – new publication

By |2020-09-25T12:42:12+00:00July 29th, 2020|Categories: News|

Our latest publication, Closing down beneficiary support projects, draws together the experiences and perspectives of staff in various roles at four Fulfilling Lives partnerships whose direct work supporting beneficiaries has come to an end. Fulfilling Lives was always a time-limited programme, providing funding to test new approaches with the aim of informing lasting systems change. The report offers practical tips and recommendations from partnerships to aid the smooth closure of similar time-limited support.

The report highlights that starting planning and preparation for closing projects early is key. A joint strategy involving all partners helps ensure everyone is clear about their role in the process. Ongoing flexibility and adaptation is required, and close monitoring of caseloads is important to balance demand with available resource.

External preparation and systems change […]

7 07, 2020

Challenges and opportunities: Evidence from Fulfilling Lives partnerships on the response to the COVID-19 pandemic

By |2020-09-15T09:51:21+00:00July 7th, 2020|Categories: News|Tags: , , , , , , |

Our latest publication, Challenges and Opportunities, draws together key experiences from Fulfilling Lives areas on the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic and associated measures to control its transmission have created challenges and opportunities for partnerships supporting people facing multiple disadvantage. In particular, the pandemic has created movement on issues that partnerships have been working towards for some time, such as taking more collaborative and person-centred approaches. As we transition out of lockdown, it is important that the learning from the pandemic is captured and used to inform more positive models of working in the future.

The pandemic has engendered a sense of urgency and rapid responses to need. Service providers have shown greater flexibility and creative solutions have been developed to meet need. […]

29 06, 2020

COVID-19 and the national evaluation of Fulfilling Lives

By |2020-06-29T09:36:09+00:00June 29th, 2020|Categories: News|Tags: |

The COVID-19 pandemic and associated measures to control its transmission have created challenges and opportunities for partnerships. In particular, there are examples of changes and flexibilities on issues that partnerships have been seeking to influence for some time. It is important as we transition out of the lockdown to capture information and evidence on the changes made, their impact and to identify those that are beneficial.

In response to this, the national evaluation team will be undertaking a two-stage piece of evaluative work. This includes:

  • A short-term, rapid piece to inform immediate planning for transition out of lockdown, to capture changes Fulfilling Lives partnerships have helped implement, and which of these have been effective in the short term and should continue. This work will complement and […]
24 04, 2020

COVID-19 and Fulfilling Lives

By |2020-04-24T13:24:40+00:00April 24th, 2020|Categories: News|

In line with government guidance, the evaluation team are now working remotely and all planned face-to-face activities have been moved online for the foreseeable future. Our thoughts at this time are with our colleagues who are working hard to keep the most vulnerable in society safe. We will continue as best we can our work to develop the evidence base for longer term improvements in support for people affected by multiple disadvantage.

Following conversations with partnerships over the previous weeks, we are hearing about new creative ways of working developed by staff across Fulfilling Lives in response to the current pandemic. Those experiencing multiple disadvantage are at a heightened risk during this time and staff are continuing their work to ensure these individuals still get the […]

13 03, 2020

2020 budget announcement

By |2020-03-13T10:07:08+00:00March 13th, 2020|Categories: News|

The 2020 budget announcement makes a commitment to provide £46 million from the Shared Outcomes Fund programme to support individuals experiencing multiple disadvantage such as homelessness, substance misuse and reoffending. At Fulfilling Lives, this comes as great news, as the national evidence for the programme highlights the need for those experiencing multiple disadvantages to be supported and for these disadvantages to be looked at holistically. Fulfilling Lives contributed learning from the national evaluation to the proposal to Her Majesty’s Treasury and the programme has been used as a source of supporting evidence as to why this investment should be made.

Fulfilling Lives, MEAM and Lankelly Chase were invited by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to contribute to the business case, with comments being […]

31 01, 2020

Key findings from the Fulfilling Lives programme

By |2020-01-31T13:21:18+00:00January 31st, 2020|Categories: News|

The latest publication from the Fulfilling Lives evaluation summarises key findings to date. It draws together the main messages from the series of briefings we published throughout 2019 that reported data and insights from our evaluation.

The leaflet can be read here.

Since 2014, Fulfilling Lives projects in 12 areas across England have supported over 3,400 people affected by multiple disadvantage, including mental ill-health, substance misuse and homelessness. Key features of the programme that we know make a difference to beneficiaries include persistent and ongoing support, free of short-term time limits; small case-loads for workers, allowing the time to build personal relationships based on trust; and providing holistic support with a focus on beneficiaries’ priorities.

The summary leaflets covers:

This website uses cookies and third party services. Ok