Dynamic Wrexham commissioned Cordis Bright to conduct a five-year longitudinal evaluation of A Dynamic Future. This is a project aiming to support and improve the transition process for disabled young people aged 14-25 living in Wrexham and their families. It received funding from the Big Lottery Fund for a five-year period from 2013 to 2018 and worked with 199 young people in this period.

The evaluation approach incorporated a range of methods, including: review of literature; collation and analysis of monitoring and outcomes data; and consultation with young people, their family members, project staff and other local organisations. Annual evaluation reports were produced each year.

The final report for the evaluation has now been produced and can be downloaded below.

It found evidence that the project:

• Offers person-centred support to young people which is both more intensive and longer in duration than originally anticipated when the project was designed.
• Is valued by young people, families and other local organisations, who see the person-centred, friendly and practical focus of the project as key strengths.
• Is supporting disabled young people to achieve a range of positive outcomes, including: engaging or remaining engaged with education, training and employment opportunities; becoming less socially isolated and developing improved social networks; increasing confidence and independence; and building practical life skills.
• Is enabling families to understand the transition process better, to feel less worried about their young person and their future, and to allow their young person to be more independent.
• May be achieving net cost avoidance as a result of reducing the number of young people who are NEET of between £3,415,424 and £6,225,024. This equates to a return on investment of between £3.93 and £7.16 for every £1 spent.
• Is limited in its impact by challenges in identifying local employment opportunities for disabled young people, and could potentially increase its success through improved promotion of the project.

The findings of the evaluation have informed the ongoing development of the project over the five years. They may also be of interest to those who are considering delivering, commissioning or funding similar projects with and for disabled young people.