NIFTY 3: Evaluation Project 2006

Small scale evaluation for single services, for non-researchers.

NIFTY 3: 2006

POSTCARDS from NIFTY 3

•  'Dear Nifty. Today was really interesting. I had thought it might be dull to hear about non-related projects, but it was all fascinating. The project served to focus attention and time so that we just had to get on and do it!'

• 'This has been an enjoyable experience and I have the evaluation bug now and hopefully will try it with something else. One of the key learning points for me is about building evaluation in from the beginning and telling people how/what/when we will evaluate so that it is less of a surprise when they are contacted. It may be helpful to engage people in a project before they’ve started rather than one that’s in place.' Helen Harrison

• 'Loved the Sessions. The input and support as well as encouragement were very helpful. We found the structure helped us organise our work.' Tim Brooke

• 'I am sorry our involvement with Nifty did not go as planned but today has been very helpful in terms of learning about what others have done and for future planning.' Janet Day

• 'I have enjoyed Nifty. Thank you very much for giving me this opportunity.' Daslyn Hamilton

• 'Enjoyed the course – a chance to reflect on the use of data and how to be realistic in setting evaluations up. Raised some interesting issues for future project implementation. Definitely learnt some methodology that will be helpful for the future.'

• 'Nifty has been really useful from focussing us on an evaluation and keeping to it, completing. It has fed into other developments in the borough and the development of our service. It has also provided a very useful networking opportunity.'

• 'Thank you for a very helpful series of seminars. The presentation and mentoring were very useful and learning from each other as peers equally so.'

• 'Helpful 2 x consultations from each lot 0 – 3 months 2nd 6 – 9 months. Fridays really not a good day for travelling for those coming from afar! Without this training course it would have been very difficult if not impossible to have completed my research project.'

• 'It’s been a journey! Today has been great – so impressed by other services and the work we have all achieved ultimately – It’s been a great experience.'

• 'We both enjoyed and benefited from Nifty. The course assisted us in structuring ones thinking – thanks, but didn’t necessarily prevent us from falling into several bear traps. Our own fault for not paying attention!' Elaine Williamson and Duncan Bennett

• 'Wish you were here! We can now: Conduct effective evaluation of direct support element of service work periodically greater detail than expected. We didn’t expect but benefited from: Meeting staff from other agencies and learning about their work; The visit from Catherine – this was crucial to development; Evaluation and of continued practice. Many thanks'