Building Better Opportunities: Working Progress – Final Report

This report presents the outcome evaluation of the BBO Working Progress programme delivered by Commsortia and its partner organisations between August 2016 and July 2019. The results presented in the evaluation are based on the analysis of survey data gathered from 337 programme participants and interviews conducted with delivery partners (N = 12) and programme participants (N = 40). The survey data was collected from programme participants at the beginning, in the middle (for interventions longer than three months), and at the end of an intervention on a voluntary and anonymous basis. The interview data was collected through semi-structured, face-to-face interviews with programme participants and delivery partners. Interview participants volunteered to participate in the interviews with guaranteed anonymity and confidentiality therefore the results presented in this report are anonymous. Case study data was collected from delivery partners in either face-to-face interviews or through answers to a specific list of questions about clients in writing.

In summary, BBO Working Progress performed strongly by enabling participants to build confidence and self-esteem, find employment and maintain employment for longer periods of time. Indeed, BBO Working Progress has in its three years of delivery:
• Engaged with 494 individuals
• Supported 86 individuals into employment (17.4% reemployment rate).
• Helped 69 ex-offenders to not offend.
• Provided training opportunities to participants around general employability and confidence building
• Had significant impacts on participant’s personal confidence, health, life skills, life stability and social mobility.