Summary of the independent evaluation of Changing Tomorrow by the Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion. A full version of the independant evaluation report is available in Microsoft Word format here.
The Changing Tomorrow Conference was held in September 2004 for people living with HIV (PLHIV) throughout the UK. Inclusion was commissioned to assess the added value given to individuals attending the Changing Tomorrow conference, made possible by the contribution of funding provided by Positive Futures as part of their Equal mainstreaming activity.
The evaluation focuses on the benefit gained and value added to PLWHIV attending the conference, with a more detailed analysis of two work related workshops facilitated by Positive Futures entitled Managing your Work and Being Supported to Work.
Evaluation evidence was collected through qualitative interviews with delegates attending workshops relevant to this evaluation. Quantitative data was provided through an analysis of 187 valid conference evaluation forms. Changing Tomorrow was highly regarded by the majority who attended. 95% of delegates rated the conference overall as ‘good’ or ‘excellent’.
31 workshops and plenary sessions were run and assessed. These were diverse in nature to cater for a heterogeneous audience. Time was also available for delegates to organise unscheduled workshops to meet their individual needs.
All sessions bar one were rated as useful or very useful by over ¾ in attendance
Standards – who cares? and Treatment Information Needs were rated as useful or very useful by every delegate attending the workshop.
65% of conference delegates felt more confident about disclosure as a result of the conference. Qualitative evidence supports this finding: All delegates interviewed reported increased confidence and empowerment.
In particular, confidence and empowerment were raised through:
An increased awareness of support services available to PLHIV
The creation of individual and personal support networks; particularly for those living outside of London
An increased sense of community based upon shared experience and status; dissipating the feeling of coping with HIV alone
An improved understanding of legal rights and the recent modifications to the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA)
97% of delegates stated an intention to take some further action as a result of attending the conference. Proposed actions were diverse but primarily delegates intended to:
Get more involved with HIV service provision
Develop local and regional and local support networks
Raise awareness and understanding of HIV related issues amongst others
Increase their levels of optimism
Become more proactive about health
Get back to work
The Managing your Work session was rated as ‘useful’ or ‘very useful’ by 89% in attendance. Confidence was raised and understanding of the steps required to re-enter employment was improved. For example, delegates felt more confident about writing a CV, disclosing their status and knowledge of their legal rights. It was an opportunity for many delegates to see the depth and breadth of support available.
The Being Supported to Work session was rated as ‘useful’ or ‘very useful’ by 86% in attendance. The session provided delegates with valuable information and a variety of perspectives concerning being in work. Issues of disclosure, understanding legal rights, and the need to improve support services were thoroughly covered. It was felt that as this was not as beneficial for delegates as Managing your Work as Positive Futures do not have the same level of experience in delivering in-work support services. However, by attempting to understand PLHIV’s requirements from in-work support services, Positive Futures are undertaking pioneering work in the sector.
Delegates considered the delegate-driven structure of both work related sessions to be an empowering method of delivery. A variety of perspectives were explored and discussed. Information packs were provided for delegates attending Managing your Work. Delegates felt follow-up support for Being Supported to Work could have been improved, particularly those outside the capital who have less access to local services.
An Evaluation of the Changing Tomorrow UK Conference 2004, Written and researched by the Centre for Economic & Social Inclusion For The Positive Futures Partnership October 2004
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