From Insight to Impact

Hermitage Park Improvement Evaluation

Client: Argyll and Bute Council

Project Description:
Hermitage Park, Helensburgh’s only urban park, had suffered years of decline. With £3.7m from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and other partners, Argyll and Bute Council led a major regeneration to restore heritage features, improve facilities, and create a vibrant community space.

Method Undertaken:
While a Director of Hall Aitken I designed an evaluation using baseline consultation data, visitor surveys, volunteer feedback, and stakeholder interviews. Comparative analysis against agreed NLHF outcomes and national Green Flag standards provided a robust framework.

Findings:
The park delivered significant heritage, social, and environmental benefits. Visitor numbers increased, heritage assets were preserved, a new Pavilion enhanced community activity, and training/volunteering broadened local engagement.

Outcomes & Benefits:
The evaluation demonstrated the project’s success in revitalising a valued greenspace, strengthening community pride, and ensuring sustainable management. The Council gained clear evidence for future funding bids and national recognition of Hermitage Park as a high-quality asset.
 

Argyll and the Islands LEADER Programme Evaluation

Client: Argyll and the Islands LEADER Local Action Group (LAG)

Project Description: The Argyll and the Islands LEADER programme, aligned with Scottish Government policy for rural development, sought to support local rural communities and businesses. The project's goal was to secure crucial funding for the region by creating a Local Development Strategy (LDS) that would demonstrate the programme's clear contribution to EU strategy. The client needed an evidence-based, well-structured plan to effectively identify community needs and prioritise investments, ultimately ensuring the continued success and legacy of the LEADER programme.

Method Undertaken: While Director of Hall Aitken I was commissioned to develop the LDS. The methodology was comprehensive and collaborative, beginning with the co-design of a logic model that focused on priority outcomes. The team undertook extensive desk research, analysing existing data from the LARCS system and other sources to understand the programme’s outputs and results. They also conducted primary research, including a survey of 33 projects and numerous semi-structured interviews with programme staff, LAG members, and key stakeholders. Community workshops were held to gather views and ensure the strategy was built on the needs and perspectives of the local population.

Findings and Outcomes: The robust, evidence-based strategy created was successfully submitted to the Scottish Government and was approved. The process helped the LAG to effectively prioritise investments, ensuring that funding was directed towards genuine community needs and strategic objectives. A key finding was the importance of effective integration and alignment of support and services across different areas. The report successfully demonstrated the programme's value, highlighting its impact on strengthening the local economy and enhancing services and facilities.

Benefits: The project provided a clear, evidence-based roadmap for the LAG, leading to the successful approval of the funding. By empowering local communities and stakeholders through a collaborative process, the project built stronger partnerships and improved the understanding of what works, creating a lasting framework. The resulting strategy and report serve as a vital tool for showcasing the positive impact of the LEADER programme. 
 

Unlocking Ambition Evaluation

Client: Scottish Enterprise

Project Description:
Scottish Enterprise commissioned an evaluation of the Unlocking Ambition (UA) programme, a flagship initiative launched in 2018 to support entrepreneurs with high growth potential. The programme provided wrap-around support including funding, mentoring, training, and networks to help businesses scale and deliver social and economic value.

Method Undertaken:
I reviewed while with Hall Aitken the completed UA1 outcomes through surveys and progress tracking, while the ongoing UA2 was assessed using online surveys, telephone interviews, and analysis of programme data. The approach compared in-person support from UA1 with online delivery in UA2.

Findings:
UA participants demonstrated tangible growth, with increases in jobs, sales, investment, and collaborations. Businesses also embedded purpose-driven values, fair work practices, and stronger leadership. Covid-19 challenges were acknowledged, but many companies reported resilience and innovation.

Outcomes & Benefits:
The evaluation evidenced that Unlocking Ambition created significant economic and social impact, positioning participants as purpose-led leaders and scaling businesses. Scottish Enterprise gained actionable insights to refine future rounds (UA3/UA4), ensuring the programme continues to drive inclusive entrepreneurship and long-term economic benefits for Scotland.

Active England

Client: Sport England

Project Description:
In partnership with National Lottery Community Fund £100m was invested in 240 projects across England to stimulate increased participation in sport and physical activity.

Method Undertaken:
Across 9 regions in England I helped each of these projects understand the outcomes they wished to achieve and how these fitted with the core outcomes of the programme.  Specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) were outlined to project staff in a Guide to Monitoring and Evaluation. Through direct data collection through a customised data collection tool (Value Mapping), stakeholder interviews, case studies and annual conferences then qualitative and quantitative data was collected.

Findings:
Active England allowed us to identify what works for a range of thematic projects such as those using open/green space, water-based, Black and Minority Ethnic Communities, women and people with Disabilities. Annual conferences that brought together projects, staff and stakeholders were delivered in venues such as Milton Keynes Hockey Stadium and Bolton Football ground to better share learning.

Outcomes & Benefits:

Case studies that gathered the lessons learned were compiled and promoted through a programme specific website and Sport England s website.  In addition the monitoring and evaluation tools that were used by projects were made available to other projects keen to measure and report on their activities.

 

More...