Barefoot Research and Evaluation carry out social and economic research and evaluation. We specialise in creating innovative approaches to complex social and economic research tasks. We offer a range of services including:
- Research methods, both qualitative and quantitative
- Evaluation and impact assessment
- Consultation, particularly with hard to reach groups
- Disabilities research
- Participatory approaches to research and development
- Community safety, anti-social behaviour and criminal justice
- Resettlement of offenders and reduction of re-offending
- Cost Benefit Analysis and Social Return on Investment
- Parenting initiatives
- Education, including adult literacy and ESOL
- Public art evaluation
- Project reviews
- Feasibility studies, option analysis and business plans
- Editorial services (copy editing, proofing, improving structure, flow and style and writing in plain English)
Barefoot Reasearch also coordinates and administers the North East Offender Network (Neon) on behalf of Voluntary Organisations Network North East (VONNE). More details
All the work that we do directly improves policy and practice and recent examples include:
- Research into sexual exploitation and sex work informed and assisted with strategy development for local Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships and Local Safeguarding Children’s Boards
- Research and development work for Voluntary Organisations Network North East (VONNE) created the first network in the north east for voluntary agencies working with (ex) offenders and their families
- Evaluation of Safe Newcastle’s Anti-social Behaviour Programme continually informed strategy and delivery
- Research for the Family and Social Support Pathway (part of the Regional Reducing Re-offending Action Plan) led to additional resourcing of the Pathway and improvements in prison policy
- Research and evaluation for Safe Newcastle’s Anti-Social Behaviour Programme constantly informs project development
- Evaluation of Doorstep Pictures led to a refocus of the project
- The review of the Newcastle Anti-Social Behaviour Unit led to a restructure of the Unit based on our recommendations
- The review of the Newcastle’s Full Circle domestic violence project resulted in project changes such as improvements in project management and increases in the effectiveness of the project based on our recommendations
- The outcome measures that we developed for Northumbria Probation’s Prolific and Priority Offenders programme have been adopted by the six schemes across the Northumbria region
- The MSc module on participatory development is now being delivered to Nigerian and UK-based students at the University of Central Lancashire
- The ongoing consultation for Safe Newcastle is constantly improving and developing their services and policy through the development of recommendations
We believe that good research and evaluation should not only identify models of good practice, but more importantly should identify weaknesses and learning points. It is only by embracing our mistakes that we can improve our services.
Barefoot Research and Evaluation prides itself on customer satisfaction and produces quality reports on time.