Through storytelling, People’s Voice Media continues to champion social justice, foster inclusive communities, and drive systemic change across sectors.

Since 2020, we have implemented a comprehensive learning, impact and evaluation process that captures the voices of those engaged with our work. This includes Community Reporters, Community Reporter trainers, residents, service professionals, policymakers and other stakeholders involved in our activities. As an organisation that understands the power of stories and lived experience, our approach has always and continues to centre storytelling and human insight. Over the years we have developed our approach to learning, impact measurement and the evaluation of our work – enhancing how we drive forward our organization, deliver our strategic goals and are cognizant of the challenges we face and where changes to our approach are necessary. 

This year’s learning, impact and evaluation report covers the period of April 2024 – March 2025. It presents the methods and structure we’ve used to support our learning and synthesises the results. It helps us to learn about our work as an organisation and supports how we implement our current strategy. It has been designed to:

1. Identify and understand the impact of our work
2. Monitor and evaluate our progress towards our strategic goals 
3. Support and enhance decision-making at strategic and operational levels

Our process has been developed iteratively over several years, bringing in elements of projects, processes, and methodologies as we’ve learned and grown. We have sought to put stories and human insight at the core – demonstrating what we advocate and using Community Reporting as a key method in this process.  We have combined Community Reporting with other approaches that help us to understand the complexities of the change we are trying to make. 

If you would like to find out more, you can download and read the report using the buttons below. We’re proud of this work and are excited to share it with you.

This work has been funded by Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.

Earlier this year, we teamed up with community members in Wigan to share information and skills around Ripple Effect Mapping.

Across a series of 4 sessions, people learnt about the Ripple Effect Mapping process, creating their own maps, learning how to facilitate this approach to impact measurement within their own communities, and developing skills in packaging the findings in the form of written reports and presentations.

The learning from the sessions culminated in a community sharing event, during which the group showcased their Ripple Effect Maps and shared the learning from the workshops.

The group have continued with their work around Ripple Effect Mapping and intend on using this methodology well into the future supporting the development of a range of different community initiatives.

Keep your eyes peeled for an upcoming Community Reporting Project in Wigan!

Throughout August, we have delivered 2 days of Community Reporter Training as part of our ongoing work with Well Doncaster.

Community members from across the region came together to develop new approaches to lived experience storytelling. They learnt about story gathering techniques, including dialogue interviews, snapshot stories, and personal monologues, and how different recording methods and approaches can be used to capture these elements. We covered the basics of photography, audio recording, and how to capture videos with the people they intend to interview. The group also explored what responsible practice looks like, bringing in their own knowledge and expertise into the discussion, helping to equip them with the ethical tools to approach storytelling in a safe and responsible way.

The group will now work towards gathering a set of stories exploring community members’ experiences with living through and accessing cancer services in the local area, receiving a five-hundred-pound grant per person for their commitment and contributions. These stories will be uploaded to the Community Reporter Website to help build a picture of current cancer care services in and around Doncaster. Looking ahead, as part of the Well Doncaster Project, we will be co-hosting a Conversation of Change Event, which will see community members, reporters, and cancer support sector workers come together to discuss what changes need to happen to improve the current system.

Stay tuned for more updates!

Meet Jacqui Darlington from Rutland — a long-time carer, mum, and passionate disability advocate. Jacqui’s journey into community reporting began with Amplifying Voices, a programme designed to empower racialised individuals to share lived experiences through storytelling.

“I’m Jacqui Darlington. I’m passionate about health and social care and the rights of disabled people. I became a community reporter because I believe in giving people a voice and changing perceptions,” Jacqui shares.

As a carer to her son Joshua, who has Down Syndrome, autism and no understandable speech, Jacqui uses creative methods like photos and narration to help him express his story. “Even Joshua, who doesn’t use spoken word, now has a voice,” she says.

Jacqui believes strongly in the power of community reporting to uplift unheard voices. “It’s not just about skills—it’s about building a network, shifting mindsets, and supporting others.”

A fellow community reporter reflects: “People like Jacqui inspire us to think differently and to truly listen to stories that might otherwise go untold.”

Through her work, Jacqui is helping to change hearts and minds—one story at a time.

#AmplifyingVoices #CommunityReporting #DisabilityAdvocacy

Reflections from our Learning Day – July 8, 2025

On July 8th, we gathered for a powerful day of learning, reflection, and imagination, led by Dr Dayo Eseonu (she/her). We explored racism through key concepts like intersectionality, whiteness, UK colonial histories, the wheel of privilege, and counter-storytelling. In the afternoon, we shifted into creative practice — imagining anti-racist futures through zines, poetry, art, and collaborative storytelling.

One attendee shared:

“As a disabled, autistic person, I felt fully included — from access adjustments to sensory-friendly spaces and warm, welcoming people. There were fidget tools, a sunny garden with bean bags, and even steel drum music at lunch — a joyful reminder of the power of community.”

They also shared what they learned:

“Anti-racism isn’t just about being offended — it’s about speaking up. I now feel more confident calling out racism, listening more deeply, and taking active steps in my work and daily life.”

This event showed that anti-racism, when rooted in care and creativity, can be transformative.