Evaluation of the Family Wellbeing Partnership in Cumbria
Projects
Evaluation of the Family Wellbeing Partnership in Cumbria
Project summary
The Family Wellbeing Partnership (FWP) is a collection of charitable organisations providing services working to improve the health and wellbeing of vulnerable and disadvantaged children and families in West Cumbria, with a strong focus on early years (0-5 years) interventions.
Cumbria Community Foundation – Connecting People Who Care With Causes That Matter
The University of Cumbria has been awarded £130,000 from the NIHR Three Schools Prevention Research Programme to evaluate the scheme.
Children growing up in poor neighbourhoods in West Cumbria face worse life chances than children growing up in wealthier areas. The Family Wellbeing Partnership seeks to change this. The research will establish whether the support given has made a difference to the children and families supported.
The University of Cumbria, in collaboration with Cumbria Community Foundation, and researchers from Keele University and University of Plymouth, will use the research funding to carry out a full evaluation of the FWP.
The evaluation is being led by Dr Elaine Bidmead, senior research fellow for the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration North East and North Cumbria.
Using an emerging research method called ‘realist economic evaluation’, the research team will help identify how the support services work, for whom, in what contexts, and with what outcomes.
Findings will also provide evidence to help decision makers and funders design better services and help them understand the cost benefits.
The research will include talking to those who have given support and families that have accessed it.