Under the Community Organised Research for Equity (CORE) initiative, in November 2024, we hosted a full day, sold out workshop titled “Making an Impact: Essentials of Theory of Change and Project Management for Charities and Research”. The workshop was designed to understand the fundamentals of project impact assessment and empower those from the charity and research sectors with the skills to measure and communicate the impact of their initiatives effectively.
The workshop was led by Verity Buckley, the Research Impact Lead at King’s College London. Before joining King’s, she worked in the charity sector, running professional development programmes for charity leaders and researchers, designed to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals. She continues to volunteer as a Trustee and as a trainer running impact workshops for Bexley Voluntary Services Council. She specialises in impact monitoring and evaluation, and related project design.
Objective:
The workshop aimed to provide participants with essential tools and models, like the Theory of Change and Logical Frameworks, to enhance their project management capabilities, specifically in terms of planning, evaluating, and communicating impact. This workshop was part of the Health and Social Equity Collective’s ongoing efforts to build capacity in the charitable and research communities, emphasising impact for social change.
Workshop structure:
The day was divided into two key sessions:
Theory focus
The session began by defining what “impact” means across various sectors and why it is essential for project success. Participants were introduced to core theory of change models and logical frameworks, illustrating how these tools can be used to plan and monitor impact of project initiatives. An overview of diverse evaluation approaches, covering qualitative, quantitative, and creative methodologies, concluded the morning session.
Practical application
In a hands-on group activities, participants applied the Theory of Change to their own projects or case studies and translating theoretical concepts into actionable plans. Attendees developed logical frameworks and various evaluation techniques to assess project outcomes. A collaborative feedback session encouraged peer insights, followed by a Q&A and reflection on how to implement these methods moving forward. The day concluded with a networking session, allowing participants to connect with others working in the charity and research sector.
Key takeaways:
By the end of the workshop, attendees gained:
- A clear understanding of what impact means for their work.
- Practical knowledge of Theory of Change and Logical Frameworks.
- Familiarity with a range of evaluation methods, including creative approaches.
- Confidence in evaluating and communicating the impact of their projects.
Please keep an eye out for similar workshops happening in 2025!
