The Challenge

Key4Life works to transform the lives of young offenders and those at risk by unlocking their potential and creating brighter futures. Operating in prisons and communities, the organisation focuses on emotional resilience and progression, aiming to reduce re-offending rates and equip participants with the skills needed to thrive. However, to secure support and demonstrate the effectiveness of its work, Key4Life needed robust impact measurement and evidence of the value it delivers to individuals and society.

The Solution

Bean Research partnered with Key4Life to design and implement a comprehensive impact measurement strategy. This included:

• Conducting 1:2:1 interviews with ex-offenders to gather qualitative insights.
• Developing and embedding a measurement toolkit to track emotional resilience and progression.
• Performing a Social Return on Investment (SROI) analysis to quantify the value of the programme to society.

By combining qualitative insights with quantitative data, Bean helped Key4Life understand the depth and breadth of its impact, ensuring the organisation could effectively communicate its success to stakeholders.

The Results

The partnership with Bean Research has delivered powerful insights into Key4Life’s outcomes:

• Reduced Re-offending Rates: Only 7% of participants in Key4Life’s programmes re-offend, compared to the national average of 64% one year post-release.
• Job-Readiness: 79% of participants report developing the skills needed to hold down a job by the end of the programme.
• Improved Emotional Resilience: 78% of participants feel better equipped to handle problems and emotions effectively.
• Social Return on Investment: Over three years, Key4Life’s programmes deliver an SROI of £13.46 for every £1 invested, equating to £4.08 million in benefits to society. This includes economic gains, avoided public spending, and enhanced health and wellbeing for participants.

Conclusion

Key4Life’s collaboration with Bean Research has strengthened its ability to measure, understand, and showcase its impact. By providing a clear picture of the transformative effects of its programmes, Key4Life is better positioned to attract support, expand its work, and continue making a meaningful difference in the lives of young people and the communities they live in.