Our work
Evidence, learning and strategy that support better decisions
Blinkbright works with public, voluntary and purpose-led organisations tackling complex social, economic, health and environmental challenges.
Our work helps clients understand what is happening, demonstrate why it matters and decide what should happen next.
Selected work
Our commissions range from large-scale programme evaluations to focused research and organisational-development support.
These examples demonstrate how we combine robust evidence, collaborative working and accessible communication.
EVALUATION / EMPLOYMENT AND SKILLS
Evaluating £110 million of investment in youth employment
2 major programmes
More than £110m combined investment
7 years of delivery
Blinkbright evaluated two major Youth Employment Initiative programmes covering Birmingham and the Black Country.
Delivered over seven years, the programmes represented a combined investment of more than £110 million and supported young people aged 15–29 to develop their skills and move towards sustainable employment.
The challenge
The programmes brought together substantial investment, multiple delivery partners and different forms of support across two complex economic areas.
The evaluations needed to assess how effectively the programmes had been delivered, understand their impact and value, and identify learning that could inform future employment and skills investment.
Our work
Blinkbright completed comprehensive assessments of programme delivery and impact.
Our work included:
Analysis of programme performance and outcomes
Consultation with delivery partners and stakeholders
Assessment of the participant journey and delivery experience
Cost-benefit analysis
Social Return on Investment reporting
Identification of learning, value and legacy
Summary presentations for partners and decision-makers
What it enabled
The evaluations provided programme partners with an independent assessment of what had been achieved and the factors that influenced delivery.
Our reports and presentations brought together the principal findings, value statements and legacy priorities, helping partners consider how the learning could inform future Shared Prosperity Fund activity and other investment in economic and social inclusion.
STRATEGY / ORGANISATIONAL RESILIENCE
Building organisational resilience in heritage and conservation
3 organisations and partnerships
2018–2024
Heritage Fund-supported work
Blinkbright supported the Moors for the Future Partnership (Peak District Park Authority), the Frozen Ark and the Queenswood and Bodenham Lake Partnership (Herefordshire Wildlife Trust) to strengthen their strategic direction, governance, business planning and organisational resilience.
Each organisation was protecting something of lasting importance—from internationally significant peatlands and endangered-species genetic material to treasured natural heritage sites.
The challenge
Heritage and conservation organisations often combine an ambitious mission with complex partnerships, limited organisational capacity and an uncertain funding environment.
Although their individual circumstances differed, the organisations faced related questions about strategic direction, governance, roles and responsibilities, organisational skills and long-term financial sustainability.
Our work
Blinkbright worked with boards, leadership teams, staff, partners and stakeholders.
Across the commissions, our support included:
Strategic and organisational review
Board, staff and stakeholder consultation
Facilitated planning workshops
Strategy and business-plan development
Governance and structural options appraisal
Board and staff skills assessment
Funding and income-generation planning
Financial modelling and sustainability review
Risk, monitoring and implementation planning
Accessible reports, plans and presentations
For the Moors for the Future Partnership, outputs included revised partnership arrangements, an interim business plan, investment planning, an advocacy framework and recommendations for stronger operational and monitoring processes.
For the Frozen Ark, we combined governance and organisational review with business planning, skills assessment and income-generation development. We also wrote and designed an accessible business plan communicating the charity’s scientific purpose and strategic direction.
At Queenswood and Bodenham Lake, our research and facilitated workshops helped the partnership explore future governance and business-model options, supported by financial modelling, risk analysis and practical implementation recommendations.
What it enabled
The work gave boards and leadership teams a stronger evidence base for decision-making and a clearer connection between mission, governance, resources and delivery.
Rather than treating strategy as a standalone document, our approach helped the organisations translate their ambitions into practical structures, priorities and plans.
RESEARCH AND INSIGHT / HEALTH AND VCSE
Demonstrating the health impact of Bassetlaw’s voluntary sector
Published in 2025
Health and social-care evidence
Place-based VCSE impact
In 2025, Blinkbright produced the Bassetlaw Place-Based Partnership VCSE Providers Health Impact Report.
The report examined the vital contribution made by voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations to health, wellbeing and social care across Bassetlaw.
The challenge
Local VCSE organisations provide preventative, integrated and person-centred support for residents, including people experiencing health inequalities and vulnerability.
Much of their collective contribution can be difficult to see through conventional service data alone. Clearer evidence was needed to demonstrate how these organisations support residents, communities and the strategic aims of the wider health system.
Our work
Blinkbright brought together evidence about the role and contribution of local VCSE providers.
We placed their work within the wider context of health inequalities, prevention, integrated care and the priorities of the NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care System.
The findings were translated into a comprehensive and accessible impact report designed for use by providers, partners, commissioners and decision-makers.
What it enabled
The report created a clearer collective account of how local VCSE services contribute to health and social care across Bassetlaw.
It provided organisations and partners with evidence that could support strategic discussion, future commissioning and the case for continued investment in community-based services.
The report has subsequently been used publicly by Bassetlaw CVS when articulating the risks facing local services and communities.
EVALUATION / HERITAGE AND ENVIRONMENT
Building evaluation into the future of Smestow Valley
4.5km nature reserve
£217,000 development funding
Approximately £2m delivery ambition
Blinkbright was appointed as evaluation consultant for the development phase of the Heritage Fund-supported project to explore, enhance, protect and promote Smestow Valley Local Nature Reserve.
The 4.5-kilometre landscape forms part of the Black Country UNESCO Global Geopark and brings together natural heritage, industrial history, biodiversity, recreation and community use.
The challenge
The proposed programme aims to restore natural and built heritage, improve habitats and biodiversity, widen community participation and make Smestow Valley safer and more accessible.
A clear evaluation approach was needed during the development phase so that intended activities, outputs and outcomes could be understood and assessed throughout future delivery.
Our work
Blinkbright worked with the project team and partners to develop the evaluation approach required for the final Heritage Fund submission.
This involved connecting the project’s ambitions with practical measures of delivery, participation, learning and longer-term change.
The framework considered the project’s interconnected aims, including:
Heritage restoration and interpretation
Habitat and biodiversity improvements
Community engagement and volunteering
Participation by a wider range of residents
Access, visitor experience and wellbeing
Partnership learning and future legacy
What it enabled
Embedding evaluation during project development created a clearer connection between planned activity and the difference the programme intends to make.
It provided the project team with a practical basis for monitoring progress, capturing community experience, testing assumptions and demonstrating outcomes during the proposed delivery phase.
Let’s discuss your work
Every organisation and programme has a different context. We can provide a complete piece of strategy, research or evaluation work, or help you shape the right approach at an earlier stage.
Tell us about your organisation, programme or challenge and we’ll arrange an initial conversation.