Our Social Value in 2021-2022
Boom Studios Social Value Measured at £792k
Did you see last month's post summing up the past 5 years' progress at Boom? We have also had a social impact review completed of the past year's work, and even we were amazed at the result.
The Social Value Engine (commissioned & supported by the Ards & North Down Social Enterprise Programme, Work West and the Rural Community Network) measured Boom Studios' actual inputs (such as equipment, volunteer hours, workshops etc) against the measurable impact the work had on the community and environment. After gathering data via surveys and activity measurements, and using industry formulae and proxies to evaluate the data, they were able to convert this to a figure representing the financial worth of our work: £792,603.86.
When compared to the value of Boom Studios' investment in those activities, the return on investment comes out at £7.83 per £1. Basically, for every £1 Boom spends, £7.83 worth of benefit is rippled out into the community.
The report covers the Studios' work over a year in 2021-22, after our strategy needed to adjust for reopening in the new landscape mid/post pandemic.
What did we measure against?
Our work aligns with a number of the United Nations' sustainable development goals. Including No Poverty, Decent Work, Good Health & Wellbeing, Quality Education (see below for all headings and values) - our outcomes have been presented in terms of these areas of achievement.
The team assembling the report, Social Value Engine, are specialists in this area of work and their software is accredited by Social Value UK. Social Value UK works with their members to increase the accounting, measuring and maximising of social value from the perspective of those affected by an organisation’s activities, through their Social Value Principles. They believe in a world where a broader definition of value will change decision making and ultimately decrease inequality and environmental degradation.
Our specific results against the Social Development Goals are:
1. No Poverty (we create £180,101.19 of social value.)
3. Good Health and Well-Being (we create £50,384.62 of social value)
8. Decent Work and Economic Growth (we create £689,944.20 of social value)
9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (we create £8,585.46 of social value)
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities (we create£11,294.98 of social value)
16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (we create £73.84 of social value)
Our inputs were:
Volunteering £24,480.00
Equipment £2,000.00
Direct Costs £89,500.00
Total £115,980.00
The detail behind Boom Studios' Ethos and Work in this Period
This was a year that saw lock-downs being released and a return to the new normal following the Covid 19 Global Pandemic.
Our strategy evolved in March 2021 in line with the easing of public guidance in relation to the CV19 Global Pandemic, where we aimed to do what we can when we can.
We moved first to outdoor delivery, then returning to indoor and blended delivery (in-person and digital together) to ensure safe environments and financial sustainability via consistent, comfortable attendance.
The Pandemic has significantly changed creative industries' financial position and we continue to have a “paying it forward” ethos to ensure we and our community of artists, designers and makers have a strong and sustainable recovery from the CV19 Pandemic.
This included addressing issues such as : lack of confidence and motivation to return to their studio practice: having external challenges that are preventing them from returning to their studio practice: having increased financial pressures making maintaining a studio challenging: feel unsupported and disconnected from each other and their audiences.
Through 2021/2022 our aim has been to have a clear strategy that will support our immediate community of studio tennants, facilitators and local artists/designers makers aligned to our purpose with the following in place ;
Maintain the 50% rent discount through to August 2021;
Waiving the hire fees to the workshop to April 2022;
Waiving fees to use the digital platform for classes;
To provide staff support for marketing and an advertising budget for workshops;
Investing in and piloting the Trade / Boom Academy, to develop and establish an accessible digital learning environment for the creative industries.
Through the coordination of a shared workspace we have provided workspace for 42 artistic and creative practices.
During this year we have continued to develop and deliver activities under 3 key themes:
“Trade”
Professional Development for the local creative sector.
“Creative Days”
This is our year round programme delivered for local residents and visitors to the area to take part in creative activity.
“Reach-Out”
Providing artistic services for the local community.
In 21/22 the Creative Days Programme provided 324 quality arts experiences, workshop & classes; generating £11,000 and sustaining participation in creative arts activity by the wider public.
Of these , Boom has hosted 129 events focused on the sharing of technical, professional and entrepreneurial skills.
This year we have had 2084 participants in our workshops who spent on average £8 per workshop.
We have supported other organisations to deliver their work including, North Down YMCA, Bangor Drama Club, Kilmood Art Club, Bangor Alternatives, Main Street My Street and Sostrene Grene.
This year we have been approached by organisations to use our CV19 proof facilities and services and we have been involved in Covid Recovery Projects.
We have continued to engage with other organisations to develop, support and advocate for the local creative sector. This includes positions on the Bangor Chamber of Commerce Board, Seacourt Print Workshop,the Bangor City Centre Advisory group and the Asylum Seekers/Migrants/Refugees Working Groups.
Supporting organisations
We are also members of the European Creative Hubs Network, Social Enterprise NI, CO3, Bangor Chamber of Commerce, North Down Community Network and Arts & Business.
Highlights:
The highlights of this year have been the rewarding work coming out of the pandemic, seeing people reconnect with each other and their place of work and leisure.
We have re-signed the lease for Boom 2, taking on the entire space and creating 3 more permanent studio spaces.
Our studios members have returned to working in a creative hub together and have seen opportunities increase as various recovery funds hit the ground. Notably work in regenerating outdoor spaces and the mental wellness spaces. For example The 2021 Seaside Revival murals, Working with young people to improve mental health via Bangor Alternatives and North Down YMCA.
Through the summer we hosted a Pop-Up Shop to test the organisation's retail capabilities.
This year we have been piloting the Boom Academy with 7 Studio members and 2 non-members. This was welcomed in the Autumn as a dedicated space to think about their creative practice, upskill, develop peer to peer support. We are now seeing the impact of this work with the individuals practice developing, increasing in income and improved confidence.
This year we have expanded the staff team and increased the amount of resources available to the organisation, with a Facilities Support Role and a Marketing Admin Role, while increasing the hours of the Studio Directors role.
The year ended with being awarded a research contract from the British Council.
Participant benefit:
The most noticeable benefit to our activities this year, from the board meetings through to grassroots activities has been bringing people back together again.
We have created a space were our "Covid Babies" can learn to socialise and where our "ladies that stitch" can regain confidence in sewing together again.
Participants in our activities have also been able to develop skills and confidence through the continued delivery of workshops.
Difficulties:
We had some difficulties in carrying out out activities this year.
- fluctuating workshop numbers, with last minute changes.
-maintaining high levels of hygiene
- bringing facilitators back to the workshop environment.
- changes in studio occupancy as peoples lives (eg work/remote working) change.
We managed these with the continued investment in the online booking system, enabling our workshop attendees to manage rescheduling and
re-booking workshops.
We invested in a facilities support role to assist in good hygiene routines.
We have developed a Workshop Membership package which clearly outlines the support that Boom can provide to its facilitators. This comprehensive and affordable membership includes training, peer-to-peer support, access to resources, equipment and materials.
It is difficult to specify the impacts of the pandemic, as they were through the entire organisation and impacted of everything that we do and how we do it.
In the year 2021/22 the impacts have been varied and have included;
- reduced confidence of people to be in a space together.
- reduced confidence in the individual's abilities. (IE forgotten skills)
- fluctuating ticket sales have impacted on overall income and consistent cashflow.
- peoples health have impacted on the capabilities of the organisation to deliver
activities.
- reduced activities (community events) in the community, therefore less opportunities for work in the community.
Effects on the wider community:
We have seen participants of our programme delighted to return to their activities outdoors and in the studios.
We have continued to worked with organisations that have a positive effect, ( Bangor Drama Club, Bangor Alternatives) bringing creative skills into the organisations.
We are seeing other arts organisations establish in the city centre and picking up on ideas that artists are initiating and continuing with them.
This year we have been repeatedly told how the digital activities, the “in real life’ activities and the studios have reduced people's feelings of isolation and provided motivation to restart their lives.
We have connected people locally, nationally and globally this year through art.
As we move through the recovery stage we are applying the new skills into the core of the organisation, with a clear digital offer embedded as part of the service.
We are delivering blended classes that are delivered via the workshop and the digital hub simultaneously, with additional value emerging.
We are turning our sights towards our next 5 year strategy, and with such an inspiring summary of the past year, we can't wait to see where the next 5 lead us!
With thanks to all who participate and contribute to the work at Boom Studios.