Building Better Opportunities: Working Progress - Final Report 2019 – 2023 (Phase 2)

Northamptonshire has a mixture of rural and urban areas, with several issues that need attention, including support for an ageing population, poverty, health, and well-being (Paterson-Young, Hazenberg, and Brylka, 2017). A key problem that affects Northamptonshire is the relatively high level of unemployment among individuals who are categorised as economically active. Unemployment, especially long-term unemployment, significantly impacts on an individual’s life (Eden and Aviram, 1993; Meyers and Houssemand, 2010). This report presents the results from the Phase 2 research evaluating BBO Working Progress programme between August 2019 (the beginning of the evaluation) and January 2023 (the end). BBO Working Progress aims to help unemployed and economically inactive adults across Northamptonshire gain training, education, volunteering opportunities, and employment.
The research evaluation outlines the experiences of programme participants and delivery partners, using a mixed method approach complemented by the Social Impact Matrix©. Quantitative data, through online questionnaires, captured the responses of 568 programme participants on the psychological benefits, in particular self-efficacy and well-being, and employment benefits of the programme. Further quantitative data was collected from 47 programme participants, delivery partners and other organisations on the consequences of Covid-19 on BBO Working Progress. Qualitative data consisted of 67 semi-structured interviews with participants, delivery partners, and external stakeholders focused on the needs of programme participants and the programme performance.