Lunch Positive
Weekly Lunch Club, Community Group & Voluntary Organisation
Community Service Agreement Project 2011-12
Report
Lunch Club for people with HIV
Every Friday from 12 noon until 3pm
Dorset Gardens Methodist Church, Dorset Gardens, Brighton, BN2 1RL
Contact
Lunch Positive
Community Base
113 Queens Road, Brighton, BN1 3XG
07846 464384
[email protected]
www.lunchpositive.org
Registered Charity 1137186
Funded By
Brighton District Nursing Association Trust
CVSF/Change Up Consortium
People Can
Page
Contents
1
Introduction
2-4
Monitoring, Evaluation & CSA Project
5-7
Service Monitoring Data & Comparative Costs
8-15
Service Use Evaluation & Summary
16
Food Impact Survey
17-20
Signposting, Visits and Outreach From Other organisations
21-22
Peer Support Development, Social & Community Activities
23-33
Volunteering Evaluation, Value & Summary
34-41
Appendices – Service Use Evaluation, Volunteer Investment & Value Audit
Introduction
Our organisation, aims and activities
Lunch Positive delivers a weekly Lunch Club for people with HIV living in Brighton and Hove, and
East & West Sussex.
The need for the service was identified in October 2008 following the closure of Open Door, a
twenty year established Brighton support and drop-in centre which provided a daily lunch service.
When Open Door closed most of its support services were transferred to other organisations in the
city, but no provision was made for people with HIV to continue to meet confidentially and safely to
share a meal.
Lunch Positive was established by a number of former Open Door volunteers and started delivering
the Lunch Positive Lunch Club every Friday at Dorset Gardens Methodist Church in July 2009.
The organisation registered as a charity in 2010 and the service is currently delivered by a team of
twenty-five volunteers.
The organisations charitable aims are:
To relieve the needs of persons affected by HIV, by the provision of a lunch service, information
and advice on health eating and lifestyles and a signposting service to other HIV and nutritional
support services.
The Lunch Club is modelled as a community café which addresses the health and well-being of its'
members through providing improved access to healthy diet; the relief of social isolation and
opportunity to build social networks; opportunity to find and share peer support; access to advice
and information; opportunity to become involved in volunteering and helping activities; and
involvement in developing the delivery of the service.
The Lunch Club core activities are:
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Providing an affordable healthy meal based on NHS Choices and Food Standards Agency
'Eatwell' principles
Facilitating a safe, supportive and inclusive space for members to meet
Facilitating space for members and other HIV groups to become involved in developing peer
led groups and activities
Working with other groups and organisations to undertake social events and health and
well-being activities
Signposting other helping organisations, health and well-being resources and social
activities
Facilitating visits from other helping organisations to provide support and advice
Providing ongoing opportunity for members to become involved in structured volunteering
and less structured helping
Advice, training and peer involvement in cookery
Participation at community events, involving both members and volunteers
Consultation with members and volunteers over service delivery
Page 1
Monitoring, Evaluation
& Community Service Agreement
Project
Background
We have collected monitoring data and undertaken evaluation of service use since 2009.
The purpose of both activities has been to identify outcomes and degrees of achievement in
relation to our aims; to identify unintended outcomes and added value; to evidence and report
these; to develop qualities of service delivery and volunteering and their impact upon health and
well-being; to inform strategy and to strengthen and sustain the organisation.
Following each completed evaluation we have looked at the monitoring & evaluation tools and
processes with the aim of improving these further.
At the time of preparing for the 2011 Service Evaluation we were invited to participate in the CSA
(Community Service Agreement) Project being led by People Can. The overall aims of our
involvement in this project have been to identify, develop and implement effective tools and
processes to evaluate the impact of using the service on health and well-being; to analyse and
report this; and to incorporate findings and results in operational and organisational strategies.
Scoping The Evaluation
Lunch Positives work is not intervention or treatment in the standard sense. What it offers is
basically opportunity to a self-selecting group of people - for its members to satisfy a wide range of
needs, some of which may not be easily articulable or measurable.
Trying to measure unequivocal impact on members and the community of people with HIV
quantitatively is not feasible for several reasons.
In looking at impact we feel it important to emphasise that whilst we asked respondents to consider
and self-report the benefits of using the Lunch Club no appropriate control data of people with HIV
exists; therefore we cannot be sure of how representative members are of people with HIV as a
whole even within specific age groups; nor can we attribute definitively any changes in members’
health or behaviour directly to attending the Lunch Club. Despite these provisos it is possible to
deduce impact where it cannot be quantitatively supported.
Reading of the evaluation reports contained further in this document will expand upon this.
All of the individuals involved in formulating the evaluation, gathering data, analysing and producing
reports have held four key principles at the core of the process – systematic inquiry; competence;
and integrity & honesty.
Appendices accompanying this report provide examples of tools which were used.
Page 2
Process & Tools
Our second formal evaluation of service use took place in November 2011, relating to the previous
12 months. This was undertaken using our own formulated paper questionnaires, two focus groups
to discuss findings, an online survey asking for feedback on results; and three case studies.
Short Lunch Club surveys took place during 2011 & early 2012 to gather summary data on
quarterly service use, additional feedback on the impact of access to healthy food, and general
qualitative feedback.
Our first formal evaluation of the impact of volunteering took place in April 2012, and is based on
responses to questions relating to the whole period of individuals volunteering and summarised.
This was undertaken anonymously using Volunteering England Impact Assessment Tools using an
online survey.
Online surveys and feedback from organisations performing outreach have been gathered
following each organisations visit, together with reports. These report the numbers of people
supported, the type of support provided, and any qualitative feedback.
Monitoring data has been taken from sources used routinely in the administration of the Lunch Club
and includes - service use and volunteering demographics, service use referral sources,
attendance numbers; and volunteering records.
Reporting Economical Impact
One of the early discussions as part of the CSA Project and the scope of our own evaluation was
the consideration of reporting economical impacts of using the service; principally based on relating
changes and improvements in health as a result of using Lunch Positive to savings of NHS care, or
efficiencies in NHS spending.
Bearing in mind the previous commentary on the absence of control data, and that a significant
number of people use Lunch Positive in fluidity for diverse, often complex, dynamic and sometimes
difficult to identify purposes it would be impractical for us to assess these economical impacts. We
considered this in preparing the tools for evaluating impact. Conscious that efficient use of public
funding is essential to the success and sustainability of our organisation we have instead looked at
costs of service delivery & volunteering; their value ratios; and made comparisons to similar types
of service where possible.
Where relevant we have also reported the economical impacts of being part of Lunch Positive for
service users and volunteers.
We feel that these indicators, and very importantly an understanding of the outputs of the Lunch
Club and their relevance to key determinants of health and well-being for people with HIV, together
with the emerging importance to consider social value as part of commissioning should be
considered overall.
Page 3
Incorporating Health & Well-being Research and Strategies
We have related the evaluation reports to independent evidence based research which reflects the
latest available study on the needs and support of people with HIV, which in many cases informs
current health strategy. As part of this process we have also identified emerging strategies which
are relevant to the aims and outputs of Lunch Positive.
These factors are referred to throughout the evaluation reports.
It is not certain, but may prove more effective to evaluate and report economical impact as we
undertake new or developed projects in response to developing health and well-being strategy
where control data may be more easily gathered.
Page 4
Service Monitoring Data
Membership & attendance
People join the Lunch Club through referral from clinics, agencies and organisations which are able
to confirm HIV status. We aim to make the referral and joining process as simple, relaxed and
informal as possible, in line with the ethos of the service; and reflecting the fact that some people
find the initial stages of using a new service an anxious time. We carry out Equal Opportunity
Monitoring at the time of joining.
We do not routinely monitor the reasons for referral or joining as these are sometimes complex and
often difficult for members to articulate when first visiting.
Once joined we do not monitor each individuals attendance on an ongoing basis, but do record
total numbers attending on a weekly basis.
During 2011 we held a Community Day event each quarter. The purpose of this was to provide
increased time for volunteers and members to spend together; to invite a greater number of
workers and helpers from other organisations to be part of the service; and to carry out sample
monitoring of membership and attendance through the use of questionnaires.
This monitoring gives a good indication of the numbers of active members and frequency of
attendance. As it is not possible to definitely ascertain that every member had attended these
events it is possible that numbers are in fact marginally higher than those reported.
Membership To Date
Male
177
Female
20
Median age of membership
48 years 5 months
Service Use 2011
Average number of persons attending each session
47
(35 during 2010) of which 45 Male, 2 Female
Active member numbers 2011 (persons who had visited at least once in the previous four months)
102
of which 97 Male, 5 Female (not monitored 2010)
Members self reported weeks attending (not monitored 2010)
32 - Less than once each month 31.4%
21 - 1 – 2 weeks each month
20.6%
49 - 3 or more weeks each month 48.0%
Page 5
Referrals To Date
During 2012-13 we plan to continue to run quarterly Community Day events to incorporate
attendance monitoring – and to include a short range of evaluative questions.
We also plan to simplify the administration of the referral and membership process further, enabling
more volunteers to become involved; and to carry out a routine follow up feedback questionnaire
on experience and impact with all new members.
The main Service Use Evaluation explores diversity of service use, with recommendations which
include the continued support of workers from The Sussex Beacon to support women and BME
persons from their own Women & Families Service in attending, and future partnership events with
this service.
As part of governance and future trustee recruitment we plan to appoint a trustee with the role of
Equalities monitoring.
Page 6
Comparative Costs
We referred to the Unit Costs Of Health & Social Care Index 2010, published by
PSSRU - Personal Social Services Research Unit, University of Kent.
We were unable to find any data on the unit cost for Lunch Club service provision.
The services most similar to our own might be Day Services, for which the Index gives various
costs dependent on client or patient group.
It is important to note that these services unit costs may include capital overhead and salary costs
(which we do not incur), and may possibly include a higher degree of direct care for their users
from specialist / paid workers than we provide through voluntary workers.
Equally, its is useful to note that Lunch Positive sees a significant number of people who identify as
having disability, who are older; and those who self report mental health issues. Informal feedback
also suggests that many attend the Lunch Club in preference or addition to Day Services provided
elsewhere.
2010
Cost per client
per day or
session
Lunch Positive
Lunch Club
£9
Voluntary Sector
Provision Day Care
for Older People
£36
Voluntary / Non Profit
Provision Day Care
for People with Mental
Health Problems
£21
£
Page 7
Service Use Evaluation
Evaluation of satisfaction with and benefits to users of the Lunch
Club
At the time of the evaluation there were estimated to be 96 people who had accessed the Lunch
Club in the previous twelve months. Weekly attendance was an average of 49 persons. The
evaluation was completed by 47 people - 48% of members.
Questionnaire responses
This is the second satisfaction and benefit evaluation of the Lunch Club. The previous was written
in 2010.
Questionnaires were offered to all members attending over a 4 week period.
The questionnaire can be seen as Appendix 1.
46 completed questionnaires were returned, one of which was spoiled.
The findings from the questionnaires were summarised and this summary was taken to 2 focus
groups of 20 and 12 members respectively.
The first focus group was given a summary of the aggregated data collected in the questionnaires,
except the section on suggestions for improvement, their role was to help with comment,
clarification and interpretation of these data. The content of this focus group has been incorporated
into the commentary on the responses below.
The second focus group was given only the data on improvement and future development and their
role was to discuss with the manager the feasibility of suggestions and how they could be
implemented. The content of this focus group is included in the appropriate section of this report.
In addition, two members and one volunteer from the client group were interviewed by an external
researcher. Summaries of these interviews appear as case studies in the text.
Who filled in the questionnaires
19 people had also completed last year’s questionnaire. 2 couldn’t remember and 2 didn’t answer
the question.
41 people identified as gay men and there were 3 female respondents.
33 identified as White British; 4 White European; 2 White Irish; 1 White African; 1 Black Caribbean;
1 Mixed Race, White and Asian.
14 identified as having a mobility problem (7 people didn’t answer this question).
22 respondents came to the Lunch Club weekly; 14 twice a month; 5 monthly and 4 less than once
a month.
All except 2 people were 40 or over: 2 x 30-39; 15 x 40-49; 16 x 50-59; 12 x 60 plus
The older age group of members attending the Lunch Club seems to be responding to specific
need.
Page 8
Services which support the mental health and well-being of older people with HIV over 50,
including counselling, peer support and other emerging strategies within long-term condition
management, should be prioritised for development, evaluation and funding Where HIV support
organisations no longer offer on-going social support groups, they should seek to identify other
ways to support social networking for older people with HIV…..
Recommendations from A National Study of ageing and HIV (50 Plus) (Power et al 2010)
Mental Health.
14 people rated their mental and emotional well-being as having been poor or very poor over the
last twelve months (31%). (23 rated it as good or very good and 8 neither good nor poor).
16 people often or always felt isolated (35%). (25 occasionally and 3 people never).
The Venue
42 people rated the space as good or very good.
38 people found the venue easy or very easy to access and only one found it difficult.
The Food
People wrote a lot of positive comments about the food; about the healthiness, the nutritiousness,
the variety, balanced diet etc.
A couple of people commented that it gave them a day off cooking/thinking about what to eat,
‘especially if they aren’t well enough’.
15 people (33%) ate 3 or less nutritious cooked meals at home per week. (10 x 4 meals; 19 x 5 or
more.)
19 people (42%) said that coming to the Lunch Club had made a difference to what they ate during
the rest of the week.
Of these 19, 15 wrote more on this. All 15 responses showed that the difference was positive.
Some responses were general: ‘eat better the rest of the week’. Some people mentioned
considering the relationship between diet and health: ‘I think about what I eat and how it affects my
health’. Others mention increasing the variety, balance and freshness of food.
The National Multi-agency Framework for better living with HIV in England (Keogh et al 2009)
makes the point that food choices are limited for those living on benefits, and those with money
and security need advice about nutrition and how to prepare and cook nutritious food. This advice
is always available to members of the Lunch Club either in the form of leaflets or through
volunteers.
Referrals
16 people came for the first time at the suggestion of another organisation. These organisations
were: THT x 6; Community Team x 1; Sussex Beacon x 2; Cara Trust x 1; Eastbourne agencies x 1
and HIV Psychology x 2.
2 people didn’t say who had suggested they come.
In response to the question: Why do you think the organisation/service suggested you come to the
Lunch Club? 11 of the 13 people who answered wrote about some aspect of the social element:
e.g. ‘to interact and mix with people’; ‘meet more people’; ‘companionship’; Closely related to this 2
people mentioned isolation. The third reason given (3 responses) was support.
Page 9
What People Get Out Of Coming To The Lunch Club
43 people answered the open question: What do you get out of coming to the Lunch Club?
The four main areas people wrote about were:
• The social aspect – 40 people (93%)
• The food – 18 people (41%)
• Helping feel less isolated – 10 people (23%)
• Support – 12 (28%)
The Social Aspect
People wrote about: friendship, meeting other people, company, meet new people, see old friends,
make new friends, social interaction etc.
8 people stressed the importance of being with other people with HIV: ‘space to be open about
being HIV positive’; ‘It’s great to have a place where being HIV is not an issue’; ‘meet other people
with similar problems’; ‘It is where I can be myself’.
Isolation
Only 4 people specifically used the word isolation; but isolation is implied in other comments such
as: ‘to come out and mix at least once’; ‘getting out of the house’; ‘an escape from home’; ‘the
confidence that I’m not alone’ etc. This is also supported by the high percentage of respondents
reporting often or always feeling isolated, above.
Support
8 people used the word ‘support’ in their responses; however the idea of support is demonstrated
by others in phrases like: ‘I get to hear how others deal with benefits issues and health issues’;
‘chance to talk about HIV and related issues with other people who know what you’re talking about
(this is the only place I can do this)’; ‘opportunity to compare notes on treatment, benefits and
exercise’ etc.
What Do I Need 2007-2008 (Weatherburn et al 2008) Project Sigma’s most recent general survey
of the needs of people with HIV identified issues around friendship as rating 7 th of the 16 priority
needs considered. The study identifies more specific needs about making new friends,
maintaining friendships and reducing social isolation.
It is difficult to clearly separate the need for social opportunities and friendship and feeling isolated.
As one member of the focus group pointed out: ‘are people looking for socialising or for breaking
isolation?’
We also know that there are connections between isolation, social support and health and wellbeing (both mental and physical). (WHO 2004; Green and Smith 2004)
Count Me In Too, the survey of LGBT needs in Brighton and Hove (Browne and Lim 2008), found
significant correlation between isolation and mental health difficulties, and especially with suicidal
distress.
We also know that in general that gay men, who form the majority of Brighton and Hove’s
population of people with HIV are 3 times more likely to experience mental health difficulties than
their heterosexual peers. (King et al 2008).
Page 10
Stigma and discrimination toward people with HIV is still common both within the wider community
and within individuals’ own communities, including LGB&T communities and BME communities.
Many people choose not to disclose their HIV status in their everyday life.
Stigma and discrimination, whether perceived or actual also have significant impact on mental
health (Green and Smith 2004).
The Lunch Club offers a place where people are able to ‘be open about being HIV positive’, ‘a
place where HIV is not an issue’.
Page 11
Case Study Summaries
Members
Jane is a 44 year old woman who received an HIV diagnosis about 20 years ago. She lives with
her son. She first heard about Lunch Positive while staying in the Sussex Beacon and saw it as a
place where she could meet up with some of the other patients she had met at the Sussex Beacon.
She sees it as a particularly good place to meet gay friends as they can ‘be themselves’, there is
also value in being able to open about HIV status. Jane likes the way that Lunch Positive has
integrated men and women. In fact, she had become concerned that before Open Door closed
‘the women became more segregated from the men’.
Edward is a 52 year old man. He suffered an HIV-related brain injury approximately 12 years ago
which left him housebound in a wheelchair. He moved to Brighton a year ago in order to have a
social life. When he started coming to Lunch Positive he had to have his food blended and eat it
through a straw; within two months he was able to eat his cut up food with a spoon. This has
enabled him to go out to a restaurant once a month with friends made at Lunch Positive. He says
that the support received at the Lunch Club from volunteers and other service users has been like
occupational therapy. Edward’s sight, speech and hearing are all impaired due to the brain injury,
but he has found that the more often he is able to meet up with people they ‘get used to
understanding me’. He has found that the Lunch Club offered him the only possibility of meeting
peers and socialising.
Jimmy joined Lunch Positive as their 100th
member and after just two weeks became a
volunteer with the organisation. Jimmy said:
“I was diagnosed with HIV 13 years ago.
I never wanted people to know about my
status so I tended to stay away from the
traditional HIV organisations. It was a big
step coming to Lunch Positive but it was a
relief to find it was not all about HIV.
Lunch Positive is much more of a social
group where you can discuss concerns
about your medication, get advice on
benefits and meet new friends. My partner
and myself don’t access the commercial
scene in Brighton and we’ve been made so welcome by everyone at Lunch Positive. The best
example I can give is remembering the first time I went into a gay pub when I was young and
worrying if people would recognise I was gay. I always felt the same about accessing traditional
HIV services.
Coming to Lunch Positive has broken down that barrier for me and given me more confidence. My
partner says I come alive when I come to Lunch Positive and it’s given me confidence, the
confidence to talk to G scene and have my photograph taken for the press.
Courtesy G Scene Magazine
Page 12
Improvement and Future Development
In the questionnaire members were asked to’ list […] any ideas you have about how the Lunch
Club could be improved and any ideas you may have about what you would like it to do in the
future’
Responses included the following:
7 people requested the Lunch Club operate more than once a week.
Cookery lessons
More visitors to give talks or offer advice
Maybe a guest speaker every so often
4 people mentioned diversity issues: about more women and straight people attending; more
awareness of younger gay men’s issues; opening in the evening for people who work
3 people made suggestions about the layout of the dining room
3 people suggested improvements to the food
6 people requested the setting up of more social events and extra-curricula activities
12 people thought that the Lunch Club was ‘OK as it is’.
The complete list of responses to this question was presented through to a focus group of 12
members. It was acknowledged that at present it was not feasible for the Lunch Club to operate
more than once a week. The main issues they chose to discuss were: the diversity issue,
particularly around women and more specifically women from black and minority ethnic groups;
further social opportunity; cookery lessons; and additionally something which was not specifically
on the list, the relationship between, food, kitchen volunteers and members.
On the issue of diversity one focus group member (also a member of the Sussex Beacon’s
Women’s Group) pointed out that ‘some BME women feel the need to be in a closed group, with
differences which need to be discussed together’. Others commented that the Lunch Club felt
inclusive and couldn’t think of anything that would prevent more women from attending. Lunch
Positive has an established relationship with the Sussex Beacon’s Women’s Group and various
strategies have been used to encourage its members to come to the Lunch Club. Lunch Positive
has worked in other ways with the Women’s Group including providing supported space for their
own lunch events. Future plans include events where the women will cook at the Lunch Club and
share the food with Lunch Club members.
On the subject of further social opportunity some focus group members pointed out that this was
their only opportunity to talk face to face and find out about other social opportunities. Members
suggested setting up various ways of advertising things they could do and places to meet , either
on the project’s website or at the Lunch Club. The Lunch Club already has a member’s
noticeboard. There are plans to set up a Facebook page, but this would need volunteer
administrators to maintain it and plans to designate a volunteers to collect and distribute paper
flyers, community events notices etc.
In terms of cookery lessons, some of the focus group members requested that the project run
something like the ‘Appetite for Life’ course which ran in 2009. Lunch Positive has received a Good
Food Grant from Brighton & Hove Food Partnership for 2012-2013 which will give members the
opportunity to come together with volunteers to receive briefings and training in healthy eating,
basic cookery, meal planning, shopping on a budget etc.
Page 13
Members of the focus group expressed concern about how hard the kitchen volunteers worked in a
difficult environment. If the conditions were improved that it may be easier to recruit more kitchen
volunteers, and to make helping in the kitchen more attractive to members. Lunch Positive is in ongoing negotiations with the venue hire providers to improve conditions related to the kitchen,
storage facilities and ease of working.
The Volunteers
As part of the Service Use Evaluation comments were invited from members on the benefits
derived from contact with volunteers. This question was posed as part of the Volunteering England
Evaluation Tool to assess one of the outcomes of volunteering upon service use.
32 people commented on the helpfulness of the volunteers. 21 of these wrote general positive
comments mentioning helpfulness, friendliness and how well they did their jobs.
4 people commented particularly on how well they look after new people and/or people by
themselves.
2 people commented on how sensitive the volunteers have been to their own needs: ‘…if you are
not feeling well [they] make it easy to be in a group.’; ‘…when I feel silent I can be when I feel
chatty I can be…’
There were 3 comments which were more critical.
‘Yes - very good but can be over friendly for shy or nervous people’
‘Everybody is very friendly – although I have seen quite a few new faces and have not been
introduced.’
‘With all the best intentions the volunteers I feel for want of a better word ‘pander’ to the service
users. The service users could be more active and creative in the existence of the club, with the
help of the volunteers’
The focus group were quite critical of these criticisms. None of the group had found the volunteers
to be over-friendly. They also saw it as everybody’s responsibility to introduce themselves to new
members. Their response to the third criticism is best summed up by one of the group members
‘No. We feel a part of it; we’re all in this together’, but acknowledging that there were some
members who did need extra help and support from the volunteers. However some discussion
followed as to how members could be more involved in the ‘delivery’ of the service without
committing to becoming volunteers.
The findings from the questionnaire and focus group were taken to the volunteers and were
discussed further.
Service User – Volunteer Case Study Summary
Edward had been a service user at Open Door. After using Lunch Positive for approximately three
months he became a kitchen volunteer. He felt that he ‘was no longer in a position of being needy’
and thought that it would be ‘good to give something back’. He found volunteering ‘good for [his]
own self-esteem; not just taking but giving back’. ‘As someone who had to give up work due to
being ill, volunteering has given [him] a sense of doing something useful’. He also finds ‘therapy
just chopping vegetables’.
“As a volunteer helper with Lunch Positive I have gained much help in being able to give something
back to an organisation which helped me when I was at my lowest ebb. This has given me a feeling
of self worth and self-respect which I had lost after my HIV diagnosis. Working in a team has
enabled me to feel valued and a contributor rather than a taker. It is very satisfying to work hard
and provide a good meal for those who are in need. Volunteering with Lunch Positive has boosted
my emotional and psychological well-being.”
Page 14
Impact on Health
It can be deduced that attendance at Lunch Positive has a beneficial effect on individuals’ physical
and mental health. This can best be demonstrated in the areas of nutrition and social opportunity.
One third of respondents reported that attending Lunch Positive had made a positive difference to
what they ate during the rest of the week. We know that there is a strong correlation between good
diet/nutrition and better mental and physical health. Even for those whose nutrition in the rest of the
week is not adequate, the Lunch Club at least provides a supplement.
Virtually all respondents valued the Lunch Club for its social opportunity; for making or sustaining
friendships, peer support or reducing isolation. We know that all of these aspects of the social
aspect correlate positively with better physical and mental health.
Summary
The vast majority of the respondents were satisfied with the delivery of the Lunch Club.
The majority of members are older gay men. Diversity of people using the Lunch Club is an issue
that continues to be addressed by volunteers and trustees.
The Lunch Club successfully meets a wide range of needs of people with HIV, and particularly
those of older gay men, including:
• Increasing and sustaining friendships
• Peer support
• Reducing isolation
• Improved nutrition
• Social support
All of these can be seen as contributing to the physical and mental health of Lunch Club members.
References
Browne K and J Lim 2008. Count me in too - Mental Health: Additional findings report. Download at
www.countmeintoo.co.uk
Green, G and R Smith. 2004. The psychosocial and healthcare needs of HIV positive people in the
UK. HIV Medicine 5; Issue supplement S1
King M et al 2008. A systematic review of mental disorder, suicide and deliberate self harm in
lesbian, gay and bisexual people. BMC Psychiatry 8
Keogh et al 2009. Framework for better living with HIV in England. Download at
www.sigmaresearch.org.uk
Power L et al 2010. A national study of ageing and HIV (50 plus). Download at www.jrf.org.uk
Weatherburn et al 2008. What do you need? 2007-2008. Download at www.sigmaresearch.org.uk
WHO (2004) Social determinants of health: The solid facts. WHO; New York
The Service Use Evaluation, together with other recommendations outlined in summary throughout
this CSA report inform future organisational and operational strategy
This will be reported in detail at the organisations' AGM in Summer 2012.
Page 15
Food Impact Survey
The correlation between healthier diet, sharing food and social interaction has been well
established as improving physical and mental health; and have been reported as having significant
impact as part of the annual evaluation.
Two short surveys were carried out in early 2012 to specifically ascertain any reasons for
accessing food at the Lunch Club, and also if this had made any difference in economical terms to
members.
Over two sessions sixty two people responded to the survey.
Fifty seven reported that access to good nutrition was considered an integral aspect of their
reasons for attending.
Forty nine reported that they lived on low or constrained income and that food at the Lunch Club
assisted them in managing this.
.
Twelve reported that they had at one point or another purposely considered using the Lunch Club
to support recovery from illness or poor health.
Three reported they had used the Lunch Club to access improved nutrition due to alcohol or
substance dependency issues.
Two reported that they lived with inadequate cooking facilities.
When asked if access to an affordable meal at the Lunch Club had any economic impact people
responded as follows Can afford to eat more healthily / buy more food (27)
Pay bills (6)
Fuel bills – specifically (9)
Afford therapies i.e. aromatherapy (3)
Social activities (7)
General cost of living – clothes, home etc. (4)
No response - 6
Monitoring data shows that the Lunch Club provided 2,444 meals during 2010-11, of which 96 were
at reduced / no charge due to individual members economic circumstances.
£
Page 16
Signposting & Advice
These activities took place as part of ongoing service delivery and in some cases as separately
planned events.
Signposting
Formal 1-1 signposting is undertaken by a volunteer allocated the task of 'meeting and greeting'
new members. It is generally new members who seek this. No formal data has been recorded of
the types and scope of signposting offered, though session de-brief suggests that this has been
provided to at least twenty persons during 2011-12; cumulatively over twenty five hours.
De-brief discussions suggest that this signposting mostly covers information on other agencies
peer support groups; access to housing, welfare and benefits advice; mental health services;
alcohol & substance brief intervention; and peer led social activities.
More informal signposting takes place as an ongoing part of the volunteer-member relationship at
the Lunch Club and has not been reported separately other than within the response to help given
by volunteers, and advice & information in the Service Use Evaluation.
We also use the Lunch Club as a community space to facilitate visits from other organisations and
groups to promote their own work and support available to members.
Plans to continue to invite other organisations to promote their own work; to expand the number of
volunteers involved in signposting; improved session de-brief; capture data and outcomes of
signposting through evaluation forms part of our 2012-13 operational strategy.
Page 17
Advice
During 2011 in response to members requests to provide advice at the Lunch Club as their chosen
place of service delivery we facilitated two Benefits Advice Sessions on forthcoming changes in
benefits and support into employment. These were run by the local Benefits Advice Worker from
Terrence Higgins Trust South. Each were attended by fourteen people.
Whilst outcomes of these sessions are not reported to Lunch Positive, the worker reports:
The Welfare Rights Service at Terrence Higgins Trust South was grateful for the opportunity to hold
workshops on Employment and Support Allowance and Benefits and Work at the weekly Lunch
Club.
Each workshop had fourteen participants. The Lunch Positive participants included a majority who
had no previous contact with the Welfare Rights Service. This was particularly important as the
changes in the assessment of long-term claimants of a sickness related benefit directly affected
the participants. Although there had been significant media coverage of the introduction of
Employment and Support Allowance and the changes to the assessment process, claimants are
not contacted by the Department of Work and Pensions to advise them directly. Indeed most
claimants first hear of the requirement to take part in the new assessments when they receive a
letter immediately before being sent a long claim form. It is often difficult for individuals to get
advice about the assessment criteria or help form filling within the required time limit to return the
form. All the Lunch Positive participants warmly engaged in the workshop, reflecting their concerns
with others and providing personal insight in how to constructively engage in the assessment
process and communicate their health related issues in accordance with the underlying criteria.
Some individuals were able to identify personal issues that were relevant to the assessment
process and related to the personal health problems of other participants. The workshop on
Benefits and Work introduced participants to the key in-work benefits and return to work incentives.
Many of the participants were keen to return to work as a part of long-term condition management.
The advantage of a workshop is that is enables participants to learn about the provisions, in a
general way, in more depth and over a longer time than a one to one appointment would allow.
We will continue to facilitate advice sessions as they are identified through evaluation, service user
feed-back and consultation.
Page 18
Visits and Outreach From Helping
Organisations
Providing advice, information and access to specialised support through outreach within community
settings increasingly forms part of health strategy and other organisations output; and is a role
which the Lunch Club increasingly fulfilled during 2011 -12.
We facilitated 38 visits and outreach sessions from other helping organisations, with an emphasis
on informality conducive to the Lunch Club environment.
We hosted three visits from Terrence Higgins Trust South to promote their own support groups, four
visits from the Sussex Beacon to promote their services and support women in attending Lunch
Positive, fourteen visits from THT Health Trainer / Community Support Workers, twelve visits from
CRI LGBT Brief Intervention; three visits from the Ecumenical HIV Chaplaincy, one visit from the
LGBT Police Community Liaison Team, and one visit from Mind Out the mental health charity.
The aims of these visits differed, relevant to each organisations work; though all visits incorporated
two key factors – to support other organisations harder to reach clients in accessing the Lunch
Club; to provide information, support, advice and health and well-being opportunities to Lunch Club
members.
During the latter part of 2011-12 these visits were followed up by electronic survey of the workers
involved.
THT South – Health Trainer
Visiting workers report
In 2004 the Department of Health produced a White paper “Choosing Health”: Making Healthily
Choices easier. This paper proposed the development of a new role for improving health and
reducing health inequalities, accredited Health Trainers.
Many clients are faced with making decisions regarding health & living with HIV, this can be very
confusing & difficult to know as to where to start. The Health Trainer role can support clients to
make sense of the bigger picture & make changes to lead a healthier life.
The role also encourages clients to actively set their own goals, manage their own behaviour and
circumstances, so changes can take place.
The support offered can be face-face, over the phone, online (My HIV website). It can be around all
issues related to HIV, such as diagnoses, what can be done to improve the immune system using
diet & exercise. Help clients to understand how treatment works and how to manage side effects.
Also looking at disclosure, how it impacts partners, family, friends etc.…..and the clients life.
Networking & signposting both play an important part within the Health Trainer role to obtain
additional support for clients.
I have supported 6 people to date referred from Lunch Positive.
Many people have shown interested in the website when I visit. There has been a lot off good feed
back from people who are now registered. I have also had face-to- face chats with people whilst in
Lunch Positive around many HIV issues impacting their lives. I have registered 8 people on the My
HIV website.
Page 19
CRI LGBT Brief Intervention Worker
Visiting workers report
In October 2010 I was appointed to work for the charity CRI as the LGBT Brief Intervention Worker
to take forward the Project commissioned by the Primary Care Trust. The Project has now been
funded until April 2013. The remit of the Project is to increase the numbers of LGBT people
accessing treatment for alcohol and substance misuse.
My role is to provide specialist outreach intervention through joint working with other LGBT
partners across the City e.g. Terrance Higgins Trust, Mind out, Sussex Beacon and Lunch Positive.
Over the last two years I have attended Lunch Positive on a monthly basis meeting informally with
members and making them aware of my role and the support I can offer.
Due to this informal approach this year two Lunch Positive members have self referred to my
service for support, and 4 others have contacted my service for information and sign posting to
other appropriate services.
I have accompanied 6 clients to Lunch Positive 2 are now attending on a regular basis and four
attending occasionally.
Through having a regular presence at Lunch Positive I have been able to establish my service with
other key service providers within the City
HIV Ecumenical Chaplaincy
The Chaplain reports
I am delighted to endorse the work of Lunch Positive, not only in my role as HIV Chaplain, but also
from my perspective as Consultant Pharmacist for HIV and Sexual Health. I am pleased to have
seen the charity grow successfully since its inception almost 3 years ago. Lunch Positive provides
so much more than a nutritious hot meal to those who attend. The opportunities to volunteer, to
meet new people and to get involved in other activities really do make a difference to people's
lives. A significant proportion of the people with HIV who are referred to the Chaplaincy report
feeling socially isolated and want to develop a social life that doesn't revolve around pubs and
clubs - Lunch Positive really helps to facilitate this.
The volunteers work tirelessly and really make new members welcome.
We will continue to facilitate visits from helping organisations as a core activity, and also explore
the possibility of mental health worker outreach at the Lunch Club, reflecting emerging health
strategy to support people with mental health needs in community settings.
Page 20
Community Activities, Peer Support
and Social Events
As an organisation we take an active part in community events and through service delivery make
use of the Lunch Club as a community space to benefit our members, volunteers, and the wider
HIV community.
These activities are not evaluated separately, but are part of the experience of being part of Lunch
Positive. Qualitative feedback as a result of these activities includes positive commentary of 'being
involved', 'reduced stigma', 'feeling listened to'; 'not being insular', and 'not alone'. Some community
activities such as members involvement in research projects make a direct contribution to the wider
HIV community.
During 2011 we:
Held a series of focus groups to discuss & report peer support suggestions and ideas.
Supported Peer Action - a newly formed peer support group; facilitated space for this group to hold
meetings and focus groups, develop membership, and benefit from advice in group development.
Provided space for Outdoor Positive to meet.
Hosted visits from the Sussex Beacon to discuss the formation of peer led groups with our own
members and others with HIV, resulting in the formation of an Art Group. Facilitated space for this
will be given during the groups initial formation throughout 2012.
Supported The Sussex Beacon Women & Families Service in running their Christmas Celebration.
Participated as a member of the World AIDS Day Partnership, supporting the planning of the Vigil
and Reading of Names; and involving members and volunteers in a meeting and advice space at
the remembrance event.
Involved members and volunteers in community and fund-raising events such as a community café
at BLAGGS (LGBT Sports Society) 'Take Part' Sport Event; THT led Community LGBT Health Day;
and the annual Pride Street Party.
Advertised a range of members own and peer led social activities, and undertook our own
Summer Picnic.
Hosted a visit from Brighton & Hove LGBT Health Inclusion Project to undertake a suicidal distress
survey as part of their work.
Facilitated members participation in study & research through visits from researchers :
Ageing with HIV – Keele University
Level of care and support for people with HIV – University of Liverpool
Patient involvement in own care – BSUH Elton John Centre HIV/GUM Research (ongoing)
We aim to continue to undertake similar activities and events as part of our work, including
partnership social events with Outdoor Positive and Peer Action for our members and the wider
community of people with HIV.
Page 21
Throughout the late 1980s/1990s community groups sprang
up throughout the UK responding to the needs of those
affected by the AIDS crisis. However, by the early noughties
many of the groups had closed down as funding became
more
competitive. There was also a shift in the way people living
with HIV wanted to access these groups as their needs for
support changed. However, many Positive people lamented
the lack of community – especially as they got older and
were less inclined to frequent the bar/club scene and
separate from clinics.
They needed something else. From here on in individuals
within the HIV/LGBT community began to recognise the
need to re-engage a great sense of community on the issues
surrounding HIV/AIDS.
One group who were actively involved throughout the (World
AIDS Day) project where Brighton’s Friday lunch and peer
led support group Lunch Positive (www.lunchpositive.org);
who have in turn paved the way for other groups like
Outdoor Positive and Peer Action to form successful peer
led groups. These groups give its members the confidence
to become as actively involved as they are able to - giving
them the power to shape their own services. The main ethos
behind Lunch Positive is to provide its members with a safe
welcoming space to meet, offer a a healthy, affordable lunch
were people can come together. For many of the members
who come, over time they begin to find their voice as
experiences are shared, problems solved and a sense of self
is restored. Gary Pargeter of Lunch Positive commented;
“Alongside he trustees we have a dedicated team of twenty
volunteers, each of whom bring a host of skills and expertise
to the group. All members regardless of their health
problems, can all be part of the running of the service by
either volunteering on a longer term basis or providing their
time as and when needed. The volunteers have, without exception, been instrumental in making it
the successful, friendly, helpful community group it has become known as. In 2010 Lunch Positive
became a recognised charity. This helps it continue to provide the same weekly service, as well as
expanding what it provides to the wider community. This includes inviting health professionals to
talk to its members about health and nutrition, as well as session on ‘how to cook nutritional food
on a budget’ through practical demonstrations. Lunch Positive
is committed to reaching out to the wider LGBT community with their Safe Space Café at Brighton
Pride, working alongside other HIV/LGBT organisations as well as supporting many of the events
going off around this year’s 30th anniversary World Aids Day.
Courtesy Positive Nation Magazine
Page 22
Volunteering Impact
Evaluation, Scope & Process, Overview
Using the Volunteering England Volunteering Impact Tool we asked all members of the volunteer
team to complete an anonymous online survey using scaling questions which self reports impact
and capital built as a result of volunteering.
Of 25 volunteers all responded. The completion rate of the full questionnaire was 84%.
Aspects covered in the survey are:
•
•
•
•
•
Physical Capital - goods & services received
Economic Capital - benefits or costs with an economic value
Human Capital – knowledge, skills and health of people
Social Capital – cooperative relationships between people
Cultural Capital – sense of one's own identity and understanding of others
The results show high levels of impact throughout all areas for volunteers, and in the case of
personal health & well-being a very high level of benefit and improvement.
Examination of pages 25-33 taken directly from the survey report these impacts, together with
respondents comments where applicable.
It is also important to consider that owing to the contact which volunteers have with members there
is social, emotional and health benefit for people who use Lunch Positive. Commentary on some of
the benefits which members derive from being with volunteers is reported in the Service Use
Evaluation – page 14.
The skills & strengths of the volunteering team demonstrate foundations and scope to implement
planned operational improvements and to develop qualities and range of volunteering and service
delivery further.
Areas of development for the volunteering programme and volunteers (from evaluations, volunteer
group meetings & 1-1 discussions) have been identified as opportunities for skills and team
development which will be incorporated into strategy.
These include opportunities for volunteers to use existing transferable and newly learned skills to
support people with higher levels of need using the service (identified at service use evaluation);
greater involvement in key tasks involved in the running of the Lunch Club; and involvement in
planning and carrying out new project work.
The Volunteering Evaluation, together with other recommendations outlined in summary
throughout this CSA report inform organisational and operational strategy.
This will be reported in detail at the organisations' AGM in Summer 2012.
Page 23
Volunteer Investment & Value Audit
Using the Volunteer England Tools we carried out an audit of volunteer inputs, outputs and the
economical value of volunteering to the organisation.
This is reported in detail as appendix 2.
The summary value ratio shows that for every £1 spent on volunteering we gain a value of £11
(without notional overhead employment costs), or £13 (including notional overhead costs).
2010 Investment in Volunteering to Value Ratio
1:13
£
Ongoing audit of these values will be undertaken for future measurement & comparison.
Page 24
Volunteering Evaluation Results
Page 25
Summary Report
How long have you volunteered?
Response
Chart
Percentage
Count
Total Responses
Less than 6 months
5
22%
5
6 months - 1 year
6
26%
6
1 year - 2 years
6
26%
6
Over 2 years
6
26%
6
How often would you say you regularly volunteer each month?
Response
Chart
Percentage
Count
Total Responses
3 weeks or more
12
52%
12
2 weeks
9
39%
9
1 week
1
4%
1
Less frequently than
once each month
1
4%
1
What activities do you mainly carry out as a volunteer in this organisation?
Response
Chart
Volunteering on
Front of House
Volunteering in the
Kitchen
Volunteering in both
areas
Other - please state
here
8
35%
8
7
30%
7
6
26%
6
2
9%
2
centage
Per
Count
Total Responses
What activities do you mainly carry out as a volunteer in this organisation? (Other - please state here)
#
Response
1
2
mgt
fundraising and both area
Support in Volunteering
Very
Satisfied
satisfied
Induction
training
Access to
ongoing
information
Access to
external training
courses - HIV
Awareness; and
Food Safety
(usually within
first 18 months)
Access to social
events with
other volunteers
and/or members
Access to
support with
your
volunteering
Page 26
Neither
satisfied
nor
dissatisfie
d
Dissatisfie
d
Very
dissatisfie
d
Not
Total
relevant
3 (13%)
0 (0%)
0 (0%)
0 (0%)
23
12 (52%)
8 (35%)
14 (61%)
8 (35%)
0 (0%)
0 (0%)
0 (0%)
1 (4%)
23
7 (32%)
7 (32%)
6 (27%)
1 (5%)
0 (0%)
1 (5%)
22
8 (35%)
10 (43%)
4 (17%)
0 (0%)
0 (0%)
1 (4%)
23
11 (48%)
9 (39%)
2 (9%)
0 (0%)
0 (0%)
1 (4%)
23
Personal Impact
Increased Increased
greatly
Stayed Decreased
the
same
Decreased Not
Total
greatly
relevant
5 (22%)
0 (0%)
1 (4%)
0 (0%)
23
My confidence
in my own
abilities
My sense of selfesteem
My sense that I
am making a
useful
contribution
My awareness of
the effects of my
actions on
others
My sense of
motivation
5 (22%)
12 (52%)
4 (17%)
12 (52%)
6 (26%)
0 (0%)
1 (4%)
0 (0%)
23
11 (48%)
11 (48%)
1 (4%)
0 (0%)
0 (0%)
0 (0%)
23
8 (35%)
11 (48%)
4 (17%)
0 (0%)
0 (0%)
0 (0%)
23
6 (26%)
11 (48%)
5 (22%)
0 (0%)
1 (4%)
0 (0%)
23
My willingness
to try new things
The sense that I
have things to
look forward to
in my life
8 (35%)
7 (30%)
7 (30%)
0 (0%)
1 (4%)
0 (0%)
23
5 (22%)
7 (30%)
10
(43%)
0 (0%)
1 (4%)
0 (0%)
23
Skills
My ability to
communicate with
other people
My social and
communication skills
My ability to work as
part of a team
My ability to make
decisions
My ability to lead or
encourage others
My ability to
organise my time
Vocational or jobrelated skills, such as
supporting people,
cookery, organising
tasks
Literacy and
numeracy skills
Technical skills, such
as office work or I.T.
skills
Interest or ability to
uptake study in
other areas not
directly related to
my volunteering
Page 27
Increa Increased
sed
greatly
Decreased Not
Total
greatly
relevant
4 (18%)
5 (23%)
Stayed Decreased
the
same
12
(55%)
0 (0%)
1 (5%)
0 (0%)
22
4 (18%)
6 (27%)
0 (0%)
1 (5%)
0 (0%)
22
4 (18%)
8 (36%)
11
(50%)
9 (41%)
0 (0%)
1 (5%)
0 (0%)
22
4 (18%)
2 (9%)
0 (0%)
1 (5%)
0 (0%)
22
4 (18%)
4 (18%)
0 (0%)
1 (5%)
0 (0%)
22
3 (14%)
4 (18%)
0 (0%)
0 (0%)
1 (5%)
22
5 (23%)
6 (27%)
15
(68%)
13
(59%)
14
(64%)
10
(45%)
0 (0%)
1 (5%)
0 (0%)
22
2 (10%)
1 (5%)
0 (0%)
0 (0%)
4 (19%)
21
3 (14%)
1 (5%)
14
(67%)
13
(59%)
0 (0%)
1 (5%)
4 (18%)
22
4 (18%)
5 (23%)
11
(50%)
0 (0%)
1 (5%)
1 (5%)
22
Health & Well-being
Increased greatly , Increased, Stayed the same, Not relevant, Decreased
Page 28
Employability / Increased Financial Resources
Strongly Agree
agree
My volunteering has
increased my ability
to get paid work
Volunteering has
motivated me to
consider paid
employment
My financial
situation has
improved because
of my volunteering
My employability
has not increased as
a result of being a
volunteer
Volunteering has
improved my
abilities, chances of
being recognised or
promoted in my paid
job
Volunteering has
encouraged or
enabled me to take
up work based study
/ other volunteering
or employment
focussed activities
Neither Disagree
agree
nor
disagree
Strongly Not
Total
disagree relevant
5 (23%)
1 (5%)
1 (5%)
10 (45%)
22
2 (9%)
3 (14%)
1 (5%)
3 (14%)
4 (18%)
1 (5%)
2 (9%)
11 (50%)
22
1 (5%)
3 (14%)
4 (18%)
5 (23%)
2 (9%)
7 (32%)
22
3 (14%)
3 (14%)
4 (18%)
5 (23%)
0 (0%)
7 (32%)
22
2 (9%)
3 (14%)
4 (18%)
1 (5%)
1 (5%)
11 (50%)
22
4 (18%)
4 (18%)
3 (14%)
2 (9%)
1 (5%)
8 (36%)
22
Page 29
Social Impact
Page 30
Increased Increased
greatly
My range of
friendships
The number of
contacts that I
can call on
My participation
in social
gatherings
My support and
information
networks
My trust in other
people
My trust in
voluntary
organisations
A feeling of
being included
and not alone
My willingness
to look out for
other people
My sense of
value to the
community I
volunteer for
My willingness
to get involved in
local activities
My interest in
doing more
volunteering
My interest in
joining local
groups, projects
or clubs
My sense of
having a say in
local matters
Feeling that it is
a safe place to
live
Stayed Decreased
the
same
Decreased Not
Total
greatly
relevant
4 (19%)
0 (0%)
0 (0%)
0 (0%)
21
2 (10%)
15 (71%)
2 (10%)
10 (48%)
9 (43%)
0 (0%)
0 (0%)
0 (0%)
21
2 (10%)
9 (43%)
10
(48%)
0 (0%)
0 (0%)
0 (0%)
21
2 (10%)
7 (33%)
11
(52%)
0 (0%)
0 (0%)
1 (5%)
21
2 (10%)
5 (24%)
1 (5%)
1 (5%)
0 (0%)
21
4 (19%)
10 (48%)
12
(57%)
6 (29%)
0 (0%)
1 (5%)
0 (0%)
21
3 (14%)
5 (24%)
12
(57%)
0 (0%)
1 (5%)
0 (0%)
21
6 (29%)
8 (38%)
6
(29%)
0 (0%)
0 (0%)
1 (5%)
21
6 (29%)
12 (57%)
2
(10%)
0 (0%)
1 (5%)
0 (0%)
21
5 (24%)
8 (38%)
7
(33%)
1 (5%)
0 (0%)
0 (0%)
21
4 (19%)
11 (52%)
5
(24%)
0 (0%)
1 (5%)
0 (0%)
21
4 (19%)
8 (38%)
8
(38%)
0 (0%)
1 (5%)
0 (0%)
21
3 (14%)
8 (38%)
8
(38%)
0 (0%)
1 (5%)
1 (5%)
21
5 (24%)
3 (14%)
12
(57%)
0 (0%)
0 (0%)
1 (5%)
21
Cultural Impact
Increased Increased
greatly
My
understanding of
different cultures
My sense of
belonging to the
wider or a newer
community
Opportunities to
express different
aspects of my
identity
The strength of
my religious faith
Opportunities to
express religious
or faith aspects
of my identity
Opportunities to
engage in
cultural activities
Opportunities to
take part in
leisure activities
Interest in the
quality of the
local
environment
Page 31
Stayed Decreased
the
same
Decreased Not
Total
greatly
relevant
6 (29%)
0 (0%)
0 (0%)
0 (0%)
21
4 (19%)
11 (52%)
4 (19%)
12 (57%)
5 (24%)
0 (0%)
0 (0%)
0 (0%)
21
4 (19%)
8 (38%)
8 (38%)
0 (0%)
1 (5%)
0 (0%)
21
1 (5%)
1 (5%)
0 (0%)
1 (5%)
7 (33%)
21
1 (5%)
2 (10%)
11
(52%)
9 (43%)
0 (0%)
1 (5%)
8 (38%)
21
3 (14%)
3 (14%)
14
(67%)
0 (0%)
1 (5%)
0 (0%)
21
3 (14%)
8 (38%)
9 (43%)
0 (0%)
1 (5%)
0 (0%)
21
3 (14%)
7 (33%)
11
(52%)
0 (0%)
0 (0%)
0 (0%)
21
Other comments
Page 32
The 5 response(s) to this question can be found below.
# Response
1 Having been retired for several years,and having moved to Brighton five years ago, I had
been looking for the "right" volunteering role for some time, I feel that I have found a
niche now at Lunch Positive, that I value and enjoy.
2 Having returned to the UK in March 2011, after living in Spain for eight years I have
found it very hard to adjust , also splitting up after 34 years with my partner has also
taking its toll on me for which I am currently undertaking counselling .Therefore doing
various voluntary roles as well as working with Lunch Positive has been my saviour also
having to start a social network over again has been made easier as a result of getting
involved in the voluntary sector
3 Volunteering brings me a lot joy. I enjoy other peoples company, I enjoy serving the
guests. I would recommend volunteering to anyone.
4 Becoming a volunteer was a really quick and easy process and that was exactly what I was
looking for as I didn’t want to have to wait months before I could start volunteering. Gary
leads the group really well and he made me feel a part of the team from my 1st day which
was lovely, as I was a little apprehensive, having not done any voluntary work for a
number of years. The Lunch Club has a very relaxed atmosphere but behind the scenes the
careful planning really helps to ensure that the day runs smoothly. Gary also plans regular
visitors from other organisations and I really believe that this fosters a spirit of openness
and acceptance from both the members and volunteers. Its a wonderful place to help out in
and there is a real sense of support for whoever comes along. There's also a feeling of
being a part of the community and I believe that the members feel this way as well.
5 I have really enjoyed volunteering for Lunch Positive so far and find the people I have
been working with friendly and supportive. I think the project aims and what it achieves
each week is very inspiring.
Would you recommend volunteering to other people?
Percentage
Page 33
Response
Chart
Count
Yes
21
100%
21
No
0
0%
0
Total Responses
If you answered YES, what are the main benefits that you would emphasise?
#
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10
11
12
13
14
15
Response
A sense of purpose,a sense of "belonging",the ability to meet new people,and to contribute to
something worthwhile.
it can be fun, meet new people and you gain new skills which may help with a change in
career.
Contribution to the lives of others and usefulness.
one gets a feeling of helping other people less fortunate that what you are & not to take people
at face value ,look behind that and you find the real person and how sad some people can be
with there lives.
try more than one group before saying yes to staying the first group my not be the right one for
you
working as part of a team . Feeling useful and satisfied .Having fun
karma you get out what you put back to others
feeling that you are helping people that you may empathise with.
being able to meet people and do something rewarding.
People benefit from volunteering in different ways, personally I gain a sense of pride in being
able to give some of my time to a good cause in the community
Chance to do something for other people, which is also rewarding for you as a volunteer
Feeling that you are making a difference to people in your local community is a big benefit for
me. I feel that being a part of something that has such a positive impact on people, gives me a
lot of energy. I really like being a part of a team who are friendly and supportive. It has also
helped my social skills in being able to socialise with a variety of different people - both
members and volunteers
Volunteering can improve your self-esteem because you can feel good giving your time to help
others and give you a sense of pride that you are helping to make a project work successfully.
It can give you a sense of belonging to a community of people which can help you feel less
isolated. It can broaden your outlook/views by being with people from backgrounds or
cultures different to your own. You can make new friends!
self worth
feel doing something good in community, gives a regular routine, helps with self esteem.
If you answered NO, what are the main drawbacks that you would emphasise?
The 2 response(s) to this question can be found below
#
Response
1
.
2
make shore that you can have a say in what why & when is going on. And that you are given answers to
yes or no
none
Appendices
1. Service Use Evaluation
2. Volunteer Value & Investment Audit (VIVA)
Page 34
Lunch Positive Evaluation 2011
We want and need to find out how the lunch club is doing.
The questions we have put together are to help us find out:
• How the lunch club is doing
• What are the benefits of the lunch club to its members
• Who uses the lunch club
If you have any questions about why a specific question is included, please ask one of the volunteers.
We'd be really grateful if you want to say more about any of the questions if you'd write additional comments in
the any other comments section at the end of the questionnaire. We want to get as full a picture as possible.
Question 15 asks you to list ways that you think the lunch club could be improved and what direction you think it
should take in the future. We can’t guarantee that all of these ideas will come about, but want to take them into
account when looking at what we could realistically do in the future. These ideas will be discussed with members
at a future meeting.
These questionnaires will be treated as confidential (i.e. your comments and answers will not be traceable or
attributable to you). We may choose to quote your comments in the evaluation report.
Please be as honest and as thorough as you can.
The results of this questionnaire will be discussed at a members’ meeting where we will all be able to comment
on and expand on the findings.
Page 35
1. Did you fill in a Lunch Positive Evaluation Questionnaire last year?
2. Your gender?
MALE
YES
NO
FEMALE
3. Have you ever identified as trans?
YES
NO
4. How old are you?
5. What do you think about the dining room/space we use?
very poor
poor
neither poor nor good
good
very good
6. How easy is it for you to get to Dorset Gardens?
Very difficult
difficult
neither difficult nor easy
easy
very easy
7.Did another organisation/service suggest you come to the lunch club?
YES
NO
If yes, please name the organisation/service
Why do you think that organisation/service suggested you come to the lunch club?
8.Has coming to the lunch club made any difference to what you eat during the rest of the week?
YES
NO
If yes, in what way?
9. Approximately how often do you come to the lunch club?
every week
twice a month
once a month
less than once a month
this is my first visit
10. How many times a week, on average, do you eat a nutritious cooked meal at home (this does not
include ready meals, take-aways and sandwiches etc)?
0
1
2
3
4
5 or more
Page 36
11. How would you describe your emotional and mental well-being over the last 12 months?
very good
good
neither good nor poor
poor
very poor
12. Do you feel isolated in your everyday life?
never
occasionally
often
always
not sure
13. What do you get out of coming to the lunch club ? (please list everything you can think of)
This could include stuff about being with other people and what you might get out of that, the food etc
14. How would you describe you sexual orientation? (please circle)
Gay Lesbian Bisexual Straight Other
15. Please list below any ideas you have about how the lunch club could be improved and any ideas you
may have about what you would like it to do in the future.
16. Do you have any comments about the helpfulness of the volunteers eg in making introductions,
finding out information, making you feel welcome etc
Page 37
17.How would you describe your ethnic origin?
White
 White British
 White Irish
Mixed
 White & Black Caribbean
 Other (please specify)
 Other White (please specify)
 White & Black African
Asian or Asian British
 Indian  Pakistani  Bangladeshi
 White & Asian
 Other Asian (please specify)
Black or Black British
 Black Caribbean
 Black African
 Other Black (please specify)
 Chinese
 Other ethnic group (please specify)
18. Would you describe yourself as having a mobility problem?
YES
NO
19.Any other comments you would like to make.
Please use the back of this page if you run out of space
Thank you for completing this questionnaire.
Page 38
Volunteer Investment & Value Audit
Using Volunteer England 'VIVA' Audit Tools
VOLUNTEER OUTPUTS
LY – 2010/11
TY – 2011/12 estimate (till year end 31/05) . To be confirmed at year end.
Unit of output
Number
LY
Volunteer hours Staff hours
LY
TY est
LY
TY est
TY est
% Vol
Input
Total hours PA
LY
TY
52
51
3120
0
0
100
3120
Tbc
31/05
Signposting, focus
/peer groups, meetings
5
8
40
0
0
100
40
Tbc
31/05
Community
events
1
1
36
0
0
100
36
Tbc
31/05
Fundraising
events
5
6
100
0
0
100
100
Tbc
31/05
Management / vol.
coordination sessions /
meetings
125
130
1000
0
0
100
1000
Tbc
31/05
Trustees Board meet /
work Sessions
5
18
88
0
0
100
88
Tbc
31/05
CSA Meetings / Work
Sessions
3
14
16
16
Tbc
31/05
230
234
4400
4400
Tbc
31/05
Lunch sessions
Totals
0
0
100
TOTAL VOLUNTEER VALUE – OUTPUTS
TOTAL NUMBER OF
VOLUNTEERS
AVERAGE TOTAL
HOURS
VOLUNTEERED
EACH WEEK
TOTAL ACTUAL
HOURS GIFTED PER
YEAR
TOTAL ANNUAL
VALUE OF ALL
VOLUNTEER
INVOLVEMENT
2010 -2011
27
2011 – 12 estimates
Tbc 31/05
84.6
Tbc 31/05
4400
Tbc 31/05
£53,853.82
Tbc 31/05
INCOME GENERATED BY VOLUNTEERS INVOLVED IN FUNDRAISING
2010 -11
2011-12 estimate
£ 974
£ > 3,000 Tbc 31/05
Page 39
TOTAL VOLUNTEER VALUE
2010-11
Volunteer Role
Equivalent Profession *
Hourly
Wage *
Total Hours
Volunteered p.a.
Project Manager
Manager social
welfare centre
£17.33
1000
£17,330.00
Host (dining area)
volunteer
Community centre
worker
£12.66
1650
£20,889.00
Kitchen
volunteer
Catering worker
social care
£8.33
1546
£12,878.18
Fundraising
volunteer
No equivalent
N.M.W. used
£6.08
100
£608.00
Trustee
Director
small company
£20.66
104
£2,148.64
4400
£53,853.82
TOTAL
Vale of Role p.a.
2011 -12 estimate
Volunteer Role
Equivalent Profession *
Hourly
Wage *
Total Hours
Volunteered p.a.
Project Manager
Manager social
welfare centre
£17.33
Tbc
31/05
Tbc
31/05
Host (dining area)
volunteer
Community centre
worker
£12.66
Tbc
31/05
Tbc
31/05
Kitchen
volunteer
Catering worker
social care
£8.33
Tbc
31/05
Tbc
31/05
Fundraising
volunteer
No equivalent
N.M.W. used
£6.08
Tbc
31/05
Tbc
31/05
Trustee
Director
small company
£20.66
Tbc
31/05
Tbc
31/05
Tbc
31/05
Tbc
31/05
TOTAL
Vale of Role p.a.
* Hourly wage equivalents taken from Work Smart (TUC) Website
Source - Office of National Statistics
Page 40
VOLUNTEER INPUTS
VOLUNTEER INVESTMENT
Expenditure
Cost Details
2010 -11
2011 – 12
estimate
Recruitment, Induction &
Training
Venue/room hire, materials, lunches, external
courses & examinations, CRB checks
£1,559
Tbc
31/05
Volunteers Expenses
Travel & out of pocket expenses incurred for
volunteering.
£1,773
Tbc
31/05
Administration, Support &
Recognition
Office expenses & supplies, printing costs,
venue/room hire, socials & awards
£1,272
Tbc
31/05
Supplies & Equipment
Clothing, badges & materials provided free for
volunteering
£30
Tbc
31/05
Insurance
Organisational insurance policy covering
volunteers 60%
£69
Tbc
31/05
£4,703
Tbc
31/05
Total
VOLUNTEER INESTMENT TO VALUE AUDIT RATIO
2010 -11
2011 -12 est.
EXCLUDING EMPLOYMENT OVERHEAD COSTS
£4,703.00
Tbc
31/05
Total Value (outputs)
£53,853.82
Tbc
31/05
Total value MINUS Total Investment
£49,150.82
Tbc
31/05
£11.45
Tbc
31/05
£8,078.07
Tbc
31/05
Total Value INCLUDING Notional Overhead Costs
£61,931.89
Tbc
31/05
Total Value MINUS Total Investment Including Overhead Costs
£57,228.89
Tbc
31/05
£13.17
Tbc
31/05
£174.19
Tbc
31/05
AVERAGE VALUE PER VOLUNTEER PER YEAR EXCLUDING
NOTIONAL OVERHEAD COSTS
£1,994.58
Tbc
31/05
AVERAGE VALUE PER VOLUNTEER PER YEAR INCLUDING
NOTIONAL OVERHEAD COSTS
£2,293.77
Tbc
31/05
Total Investment (inputs)
VOLUNTEER VALUE TO VOLUNTEER INVESTMENT RATIO
EXCLUDING NOTIONAL OVERHEAD COSTS
INCLUDING EMPLOYMENT OVERHEAD COSTS
EMPLOYMENT OVERHEADS Notional 15%
Value of Notional Overhead Employment Costs
VOLUNTEER VALUE TO VOLUNTEER INVESTMENT RATIO
INCLUDING NOTIONAL OVERHEAD COSTS
AVERAGE £ COSTS PER VOLUNTEER PER YEAR
Page 41