February 2015 Social Return on Investment (SROI)
Theory of Change - the differences that STARS makes The evaluation identified STARS’ direct benefits to its clients and also the indirect benefits to families, local communities and government services. Benefits for Clients Current and former clients of the STARS programme described a wide variety of different ways in which they had benefited from the work of
Case Study Matt, age 30 Matt started drinking heavily and using drugs in his early teens following his parents’ separation. As his dependence on alcohol increased, Matt experienced high levels of anxiety, becoming in his own words ‘overwhelmed by feelings of panic and fear – being out of control’. He was unable to leave the house without a drink, he was upset and depressed, and lost all pride in his appearance. Matt’s father and grandmother paid for him to go to Focus 12 rehabilitation service, after which he was referred to STARS which housed him in a flat in Bury, away from his former ‘crowd’. STARS also helped Matt find opportunities for further education, studying IT and also becoming a volunteer at Focus 12 and for local Narcotics Anonymous meetings.
“I knew I couldn’t sort my addiction problems without somewhere stable to live.” [A&A Client]
Matt’s physical health improved dramatically. He now enjoys climbing and, as his new flat is a bit out of town, cycling. Without Focus 12 and especially STARS, both Matt and his Dad think he would be back in his old town now, drinking again. Matt says: ‘I feel good about myself again instead of crap. I used to just sofa surf and doss anywhere, but now I have a beautiful flat and like to look good.’ He sees his Mum, as well as his Dad regularly now and his Dad has seen ‘a massive change in him. He has grown up and progressed and is a model student at college. I can trust him more now.’
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