Measuring Health and wellbeing impact report
It is increasingly recognised that National Parks such as the North York Moors have a crucial role in connecting people with nature, raising activity levels, facilitating outdoor recreation, and providing space for tranquillity.
In November 2018, the North York Moors National Park Authority published an independent report, conducted by The York Management School, which calculates the Social Return on Investment (SROI) for the National Park Authority in respect of its impact on health and wellbeing.
The report estimates that every £1 invested by DEFRA generates approximately £7 of health and well-being benefits. The report specifically measures the health and well-being impact on visitors and volunteers, and in respect of DEFRA-funded activities.
Therefore, the report does not measure SROI for all possible stakeholder groups, nor does it measure the health and well-being impact associated with activities funded by grants awarded by other bodies such as the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Given the short turnaround time for the completion of the report and limits to available data, discrete initiatives - such as those with schools, community champions, Explorer Club, and guided walks - are not measured. This means that, while the SROI stated here is considerable, it is almost certainly an underestimate.
Future work will be required to evaluate the impact of discrete projects and wider activities to produce an aggregated figure for the overall health and well-being contribution of North York Moors National Park Authority. This progression from an initial ‘conservative baseline SROI figure’ to a more comprehensive accounting for impact over time is normal for any SROI process.
For more information, download the full Social Return on Investment report (pdf).
To reference this report:
Linsley, P & McMurray, R (2018). North York Moors National Parks Authority: Measuring Health and Wellbeing Impact. York: The York Management School.
For more information, please contact Nina Beadle, Communications Officer, North York Moors National Park Authority press@northyorkmoors.org.uk,
Extending our SROI calculations to Explorer Club and Young Rangers
Throughout 2019, a Social Return on Investment (SROI) evaluation was undertaken with participants of our Explorer Club and Young Rangers Schemes, facilitated through a National Lottery Heritage Funded grant.
The independent report undertaken by morethanoutputs, a social value consultancy, specifically measures the health and well-being impact on children, parents and young people. The evaluation showed that participants had significantly increased their environmental awareness and responsibility and that this was highly valued by them.
Young people were found to be more resilient through benefits to their mental health, self-confidence and independence and that families were stronger through improved relationships and mental health.
The report estimates that for every £1 invested by DEFRA in the schemes, there was six times as much social value created for participants.
For further information, see the full report (pdf).
The North York Moors National Park Authority has been successful in securing a £160,000 grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to expand both the Explorer Club and Young Ranger schemes. Throughout the three-year funded expansion, we will continue to monitor the SROI on participants. We have recently been awarded the Social Value Level 1 certificate, from Social Value International, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to monitoring and managing value.
Find out more about joining our Explorer Club and Young Rangers.
