Making a Difference

As part of our extensive Monitoring and Evaluation programme we conducted an externally verifed survey with over 200 of our Members to record what difference if any being a Member of Circle had made.

Below are the results of that survey, and what Members told us about the difference we have made.

Monitoring & Evaluation Statistics

Circle Follow Up Questionnaire

Given the sample size and with well over 200 surveys completed using the industry standard calculation the statistics provide a 95% confidence level with a 5% + or – deviation

There is obviously a lot of information contained in the results but for us some of the headline figures are:-

• Increased Social Activity since joining Circle: Yes=79.9%
• Increased confidence: Yes=51.2%
• Health and wellbeing improved?  Yes = 56.8%
• Reduced GP Visits:  Yes =14.4%
• Made New Friends:  Yes = 71.6%
• On average how many new friends?  6.94
• Would you recommend Circle to Friends?  Yes=100%

 
Full Survey Results

Age

Average age: 71.7

Postcode

• OL16 = 15%
• OL11 = 23%
• OL15 = 11%
• M24 = 13%
• OL12 = 29%
• OL10 = 5.5%
• OL2 = 1%
• OL9 = 0.5%
• BL9 = 0.5%
• M9 = 1%
• OL4 = 0.5%

About our members
Members tend to be retired, married or widowed, are active and enjoy theatre, dancing, gardening, walking, knitting, reading, painting, volunteering, music, and photography.

Main reason for joining Circle
Members joined because they were lonely, wanted to get out more, they wanted help with practical tasks, they wanted to make new friends, and it was recommended by friends and/or current members.

 
Engaged with:

• Social = 66.7%
• Practical = 10.6%
• Both = 22.7%

Difference made by Circle
Members felt they had got out more and had made friends

Helped be more on top of practical stuff?

• Yes = 35.3%
• No = 64.7%

Learned anything?

• Yes = 37.1%
• No = 62.9%

Category of learning

• Historical/Guided tour = 89.4%
• IT skills (computer maintenance or software) = 4%
• Class (swimming, book club, yoga) = 1.3%
• Craft event = 4%
• Workshops (theatre) = 1.3%

Continued to use (learn)

• Yes = 85.5%
• No = 14.5%

How much control do they have?

• They have no control over their daily life = 2.4%
• They have some control over their daily life, but not enough = 4.8%
• They have adequate control over their daily life = 12.6%
• They have as much control over their daily life as they want = 80.2%

How do they spend their time?

• They do none of the things they value/enjoy = 0%
• They do some of the things they value/enjoy, but not enough = 21.7%
• They do enough of the things they value/enjoy = 16%
• They spend time as they want doing the things they value/enjoy = 62.3%

Able to spend more time they enjoy?

• Yes = 29.9%
• No = 70.1%

Can they access places they want?

• They do not leave their home = 1%
• They are unable to get to all the places they want locally = 14.4%
• At times they can find it hard to get to places they want locally = 22.7%
• They can get to all the local places they want = 74.9%

Have we helped access local places?

• Yes = 80.6%
• No = 19.4%

How often do they get out in a week?

• Not at all = 2.9%
• 1-2 Times each week = 10.7%
• More than twice each week = 86.4%

Anything stopped them getting out more?

• No = 78.2%
• Health/Mobility Issues = 13.1%
• Lack of Confidence = 1.5%
• Money = 2.4%
• Transportation issues = 1.8%
• Time = 1%
• Depressed = 1.5%
• Isolated = 0.5%

Have a strong connection to the community?

• No = 39.2%
• Yes, fairly strong = 46.6%
• Yes, very strong = 14.2%

If strong, has Circle helped?

• Yes = 22.1%
• No = 77.9%

How is their health generally?

• Poor = 16.9%
• Fair = 37.2%
• Good = 45.9%

How satisfied with their health?

• Very dissatisfied = 14.1%
• Somewhat dissatisfied = 4.8%
• Neither satisfied or dissatisfied = 6.3%
• Fairly satisfied = 51.5%
• Completely satisfied = 23.3%

How happy are they at the moment?
Average happiness (of a scale out of 10, with 10 being the happiest they could be and 1 being the unhappiest): 7.665

Health and wellbeing improved?

• Yes = 56.8%
• No = 43.2%

Have they seen their GP less?

• Yes = 14.4%
• No = 85.6%

If yes, how many times less?

• 1 time less = 55.2%
• 2 times less = 13.8%
• 3 times less = 17.2%
• More than 3 times less = 13.8%

Do they have friends/family around them?

• They have little social contact & feel isolated = 2.9%
• They have some social contact but not enough = 14.6%
• They have adequate social contact = 21.4%
• They have as much social contact as they want = 61.1%

Helped them have more social contact?

• Yes = 79.9%
• No = 20.1%

Have they made new friends?

• Yes = 71.6%
• No = 28.4%

How many friends?
Average number of friends made (of 146 who answered): 6.94

Do they feel safe when out/at home?

• Yes = 97.1%
• No = 2.9%

More details (safe/secure)
Most members reported not feeling safe when alone or at night

 
Difference Circle made to feeling safe?

• They feel about the same = 82.3%
• They feel more safe and secure = 16.7%
• They feel less safe and secure = 1%

Are they more confident?

• Yes = 51.2%
• No = 48.8%

If yes, how much more?
Average confidence gained (of 88 who answered, with 1 being least confidence gained and 10 being most confidence gained): 3.68

Recommend to friends?

• Yes = 100%
• No = 0%

If yes, why?
Members would recommend Circle to friends as it helps you get out more, the staff and other members are friendly, you can gain friendship, and Circle is good for preventing loneliness

Membership as expected?

• Yes = 97.1%
• No = 2.9%

Why?
Members stated that they did not know what to expect from joining Circle, but thought the age group, the variety in activities, and the ability to pick and choose activities were as expected or better than expected

Renewing membership?

• Yes = 97.6%
• No = 2.4%

Make membership better?
Most members were happy with Circle the way it is but many had suggestions for improvement. Members wanted Circle to take suggestions for activities and trips, they wanted a bigger mix of members, less expensive events and membership, better organisation – specifically at meals, and better transport.

Members also wanted more holidays, more theatre trips, more local events – specifically on the bus route for easy access, more places available on trips, more evening and daytime trips, and more learning events.

Reason for not renewing?
A bad experience, health issues and poor value for money were listed for reasons for non-renewal

Other details for not renewing?
One member said they only renewed originally because it was free for them. Others stated lack of transport, health problems and too many older people for reasons for not renewing.