By Dane Waters
How do you evaluate whether you are making a difference? Working in the space of social change we are often working with complex issues with complex environments making evaluation challenging, even though it’s more important than ever. HCR’s approach is to build community media partnerships with community stakeholders (community organisations, community media and community members together) who then work for change together. A simple theory of change would suggest if we develop positive community media partnerships then these partnerships will help drive positive social change.*
However, how do we determine if these partnerships are adding value? A challenging question that we are continuing to ask. One way is if the community organisations report that the relationships with us at HCR are providing value. What could this look like? Possibly a simple comment from a partner that they value the partnership or evidence when the organisation or community member continues the partnership.
Recently we have had several positive indicators which suggest we are building these community partnerships in the Mid West, Western Australia. One of these was a community stakeholder who purchased tickets to a community event and asked us to come with them as their VIP because of all the assistance that we have provided to them with health promotion for the community. Another, was a nomination for a state wide award in recognition of our valued contribution and support for a young people’s mental health organisation.
While they don’t explicitly say we have made significant changes to complex issues, it does say we have community members and stakeholders who value our skills and knowledge when it comes to addressing complex health and social issues. Even more so, they value our proven commitment to helping tackle complex community issues.
(Dane pictured at the Youth Focus Make A Difference Awards Ceremony)
*We acknowledge this is a simplification of a complex issue and doesn’t completely represent change for complex issues, however, it is written this way to help build understanding.
