RDA Impact Report & Dashboard
How our Impact Report and Dashboard is helping RDA to reposition its work and open doors to new funding and opportunities.
RDA harnesses the power of the human and horse connection to improve the health, wellbeing and confidence of disabled children and adults. Their work is transformative – but like many charities, RDA had limited evidence to demonstrate why their activities matter and the difference they make at scale.
To shape their future strategy and strengthen their case for support, RDA needed a partner who could help them move beyond describing what they do to clearly evidencing what changes for participants and why it matters.
“We knew we needed to evidence the real-life impact of RDA and connect participants’ experiences with the wider societal issues. This is an emerging approach for RDA, so we needed to find a partner with credibility and experience to guide us.”
– Lee Heard, Chief Operating Officer for RDA
The Challenge
RDA understood anecdotally that their work increased confidence, reduced isolation and improved physical mobility – but they struggled to articulate these outcomes consistently and credibly across the federation. Previous evaluation attempts had felt quite “surface-level”, and the organisation often defaulted to describing activities rather than the change they created.
RDA needed:
- A clear, evidence-based narrative about their impact.
- Insights that recognised the complexity of disabled people’s lives and the societal barriers they face.
- A practical, scalable way for RDA Groups to collect and use outcomes data.
- Tools to strengthen fundraising, partnerships and national influence.
The stakes were high. As Lee explained, without stronger evidence, the risk of RDA becoming “less relevant” in the wider disability and equine sectors was real.
“Your approach was very bespoke – you understood us, you were responsive and often went above and beyond.”
Chief Operating Officer for RDA
Our Approach
Working closely with RDA UK staff and Groups across the country, we designed a process that was both rigorous and sensitive to the realities of a large volunteer-led movement.
Together, we:
- Co-created a Theory of Change that articulated the difference RDA makes at individual, community and societal levels.
- Developed a Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Framework and Toolkit, ensuring data collection was proportionate and accessible across varied RDA settings.
- Listened intently through interviews, focus groups, visits to RDA Groups and a nationwide survey to participants and their parents/carers.
- Analysed qualitative and quantitative data to uncover stories and themes about what changes and how.
- Developed an interactive Impact Dashboard to help RDA UK and local Groups use evidence in funding, advocacy and communication.
- Created a compelling Impact Report that told the story of RDA’s life-changing impact on disabled people’s lives. This was launched on the International Day of People with Disabilities and generated national press coverage.
- Delivered a presentation to the RDA AGM, to Groups who were inspired and enthused to use the report and dashboard.
Throughout the project, we worked at pace – operating with agility, transparency and constructive challenge when needed.
The Result
Through working with Insley Consulting, RDA now has:
- A clearer, stronger organisational narrative
The Theory of Change has become a “real legacy”, shaping how RDA articulates its work internally and externally. Staff now have a shared language and clearer confidence in explaining why RDA matters.
- Evidence that strengthens fundraising and donor stewardship
The Impact Report, which was launched publicly, is already being used to steward key funders – including with the People’s Postcode Lottery who contribute over £1 million annually – and open doors to new alliances and funding opportunities.
“This evaluation gives us the evidence to say to funders, ‘this is what your money buys’”.
– Lee Heard, Chief Operating Officer for RDA
- New influence and visibility in national conversations
The findings are helping RDA to secure invitations to policy discussions, All Party Parliamentary Groups and sector forums. The report is opening doors with disability organisations, equestrian bodies and national networks.
- Practical tools that have helped strengthen relationships with RDA Groups across the UK
RDA Groups now have an accessible dashboard, impact visuals and messaging to support their own fundraising and local communications.
- A catalyst for strategic change
The evaluation has provided the evidence base RDA needs to drive forward its new strategic direction and brand positioning. It challenged assumptions, strengthened internal decision-making and is helping to shift perceptions of RDA from “nice to have” to a vital contributor to disabled people’s inclusion, wellbeing and physical activity.
“Your team’s expertise really complemented each other. It felt like you were emotionally invested in the work and committed to making it succeed.”
Chief Operating Officer for RDA
Further Reading
You can read RDA’s Impact Report and find out more about their work here.