Spadework Impact Plan and Report
How we helped Spadework to build confidence in their evaluation and impact storytelling.
Spadework supports adults in Kent to live happier, healthier and more fulfilling lives. Through meaningful activities such as horticulture, gardening, arts and crafts, music and woodwork, they help adults with learning and other disabilities, people living with dementia, and those looking to improve their wellbeing and feel more connected to their community.
The Challenge
As Spadework emerged from the Covid-19 pandemic, they were navigating two critical challenges: a sharp decline in trading income due to prolonged closures, and the imminent renewal of their day services contract with Kent County Council. To secure this vital funding and sustain their growing services, they needed to demonstrate the true value of their work – not only how many people they supported or how many hours they delivered, but also how their services were improving people’s wellbeing, skills, confidence and independence.
At the same time, Spadework was working to increase income from Trusts and Foundations. The team recognised that their existing data focused largely on outputs, and they needed a more robust, confident and compelling way to evidence and communicate their outcomes. They wanted clarity about the difference they made, practical tools to measure change consistently, and stronger impact stories to underpin funding bids, strategic decisions and conversations with commissioners.
“Working with Emma marked the beginning of Spadework’s impact journey. She helped us understand how to measure, record and communicate the difference our charity makes in a clear and meaningful way.”
Spadework CEO
The Solution
- Facilitating a collaborative workshop to develop Spadework’s Impact Measurement Plan, including their key outcomes (within a Theory of Change) and how they were going to measure them (outlined in a Monitoring & Evaluation Framework).
- Developing a practical and accessible Monitoring & Evaluation Toolkit and building staff capacity to roll it out and start collecting impact data.
- Writing their 2022 Impact Report evidencing the difference that Spadework services made, and how they achieved change.
- Updating the M&E Toolkit when their services expanded and supporting the team to produce a new Impact Report in 2024.
The Result
A clear Theory of Change and Monitoring & Evaluation Framework
These tools now give Spadework a shared language for describing the change they create and the evidence behind it. This has made it easier for staff, trustees and partners to speak confidently and consistently about their impact – and to show commissioners why their services matter, not just what they deliver.
An M&E Toolkit that staff can actually use
By embedding practical tools into everyday practice, Spadework now collects consistent and meaningful outcome data from beneficiaries and, where relevant, their carers, strengthening the evidence base and demonstrating real improvements in wellbeing, confidence and independence.
Credible evidence of the difference they achieve
With robust data at their fingertips, the team can show how people benefit from their services and how change happens over time. This has strengthened conversations with commissioners, informed internal decisions and helped the charity prioritise where to focus its efforts.
Two Impact Reports that do more than share numbers
The Impact Reports – one written by Insley Consulting and one produced by Spadework with our support – have become key tools for fundraising, strategic planning and stakeholder engagement. They help Spadework tell a richer, more compelling story about their work, enabling them to make a stronger case for investment from Kent County Council, Trusts and Foundations.
Together, these changes have given Spadework confidence and clarity in articulating their impact – something that has supported contract negotiations, strengthened fundraising efforts and raised their profile on a national stage. Their recent achievements include:
· Charity Leader of the Year 2025 – Kris Healey, Charity Times Awards
· Highly Commended, Disability Impact Charity of the Year 2025 – Charity Today Awards
· National Medium Charity of the Year 2024 – Third Sector Awards
· Kent Charity of the Year 2023
Spadework’s ability to evidence and communicate the difference they make has played a crucial role in showcasing their strengths to commissioners, funders and award panels.
“Emma was thoughtful, collaborative and genuinely invested in helping us succeed. She took the time to understand Spadework, our values of belonging, inclusion and community, and the change we aim to create every day. Her contribution continues to influence how we tell our story.”
Spadework CEO