Impact Measurement Pilot: Key Takeaways from our First Info Session

23 Oct

Written By Sheffield Social Enterprise Network

We hosted our first information session on the Impact Measurement Pilot. Here is what the project involves, why it matters, how we are keeping it accessible, and what happens next. If you are a South Yorkshire social enterprise, this is your chance to help shape a practical, shared approach to evidencing impact.

Date: 22 October 2025
Read time: 5 minutes
Audience: Social enterprises across South Yorkshire

At a glance

Support for 50+ social enterprises to collect, report and use credible impact data.
A shared digital tool, Impact Reporting, configured to the open Measure Up framework.
Co-design from the start, plus training, one to one support and peer learning.
Focus on well-being outcomes, prevention and place, not just activity counts.

What the project is about

The aim is simple. Help South Yorkshire social enterprises evidence their true contribution to community well-being and inclusive growth. We will configure the Impact Reporting platform to Measure Up and agree a practical, common set of metrics through co-design. This will let organisations use their own data for strategy and fundraising, and also combine it at regional level to strengthen the sector’s voice with commissioners and funders.

Delivery partners:
Sheffield Social Enterprise Network (lead), University of Sheffield Management School, Data for Action, Impact Reporting and Measure Up, with Sheffield City Council providing a policy link. Procurement and social value leads will join the co-design process.

Why join

Stronger bids and contracts: Comparable, credible data that speaks procurement’s language.
Strategic voice: Aggregate insights to show prevention, value for money and place-based outcomes.
Fit for purpose metrics: We will tailor and validate measures where existing ones fall short.
Capacity building: Training, recorded sessions, one to one support and a simple monthly routine.
Future ready: Open framework, shared dashboard and alignment with Sheffield City Goals.

Barriers we have removed

Cost: Covered within the pilot. We have licensed the tool at network level to keep it free at point of use beyond the pilot where possible. A low fallback cost was discussed if needed.
Time and bandwidth: Two initial co-design workshops, light touch check-ins, and focus on 6 to 12 core metrics per organisation with monthly updates.
Complexity: Progressive evidence levels from basic estimates to robust outcome data. Proportionality for smaller or early stage organisations. We will reuse data many already collect.

Objectives and timeline

Short term: now to December 2025

Recruit a cohort of 50+ organisations.
Hold two in-person co-design workshops in Sheffield city centre:
- Tuesday 11 November
- Tuesday 9 December
Agree initial metrics and configure the platform for onboarding.

Medium term: January to September 2026

Roll out the tool from January, with induction and monthly data capture.
Iterate metrics and short surveys through the co-design group.
Build early visualisations and spatial insights to surface patterns and gaps.

Long term: project close and beyond

Produce a regional impact dataset and a shared dashboard aligned to local priorities.
Validate new metrics where needed and contribute them to the open Measure Up framework.
Inform commissioning, procurement and investment decisions with trusted evidence.
Sustain a low cost service so organisations can continue measuring without disruption.
Share learning nationally so South Yorkshire leads the way in practical impact measurement.

Who can participate

Enterprises in South Yorkshire with a clear social or environmental purpose that aim to earn at least half of income through trading, reinvest most surpluses for mission, and operate transparently. Selection also considers readiness to generate meaningful, consistent data during the pilot.