Our programmes are thoroughly evaluated by our psychology team to ensure that we maximise the efficacy of the programme and can track the outcomes for our participants. Our psychology lead designs the evaluation system for each project. Psychometric tools are selected for evaluation based on criteria such as their reliability, their validity, the relevance of scales and subscales to the project needs, and their demonstrated use in the target age group. Data are analysed using a range of statistical tests depending on the needs of the project.

We work in collaboration with academics from universities across the island of Ireland to test our programmes and are always striving to improve our approach, to incorporate the findings of relevant research, and to draw on the latest technologies to allow us expand our reach so that we can help as many people as possible.

You can download and view some of our recent projects and reports:

Shared Reading for older adults in collaboration with Radius Housing (April 2023):

Full Report

Summary Infographic

 

Creative Expressive Writing (April 2023)

Pilot project with the Royal Literary Fund exploring creative expressive writing using a co-facilitation model:

Full Report

 

Improving children’s mental health and wellbeing

Verbal Wellbeing: A whole school, preventative mental health & emotional wellbeing programme for primary-age children in Northern Ireland Summary Report (April 2023)

Summary Report

Verbal Wellbeing: A whole school, preventative mental health & emotional wellbeing programme for primary-age children in the Republic of Ireland (May 2023)

Summary Report

Children in Need Project Report 2023 (January 2023)

Full Report

Research Highlights

Our programmes improve resilience:

• 56% of children were significantly more equipped to deal with problems and difficulties after taking part in Shared Reading.

 

Our programmes improve mental wellbeing:

• Wellbeing improved in 50% of adults living in an assisted living facility following Shared Reading.
• 42% of children had significantly fewer emotional problems and felt happier about their lives.

 

Our programmes help those most in need:

• 66% higher improvements to mental wellbeing for children in the most deprived areas of Northern Ireland.

 

Our programmes help people feel heard:

• 83% of children taking part in Shared Reading felt listened to during discussions.

Please click the following link explaining why we collect data