Evaluation of Nourishing Norfolk

Background

The Nourishing Norfolk programme, part of Norfolk Community Foundation, is a network of 26 hubs in neighbourhoods in Norfolk with greatest need. 

Led by Dr Sarah Hanson and Mrs Anna Sweeting, the evaluation identified:

• The difference that the programme has made to people and communities in Norfolk.
• The opportunities that exist to further develop the programme to meet existing or emerging needs.
• The value and impact of support leveraged through the programme.
• What can be learned from the way that the programme has been set up and delivered to inform Norfolk Community Foundation’s wider work.

We used mixed methods. This included lived experience involvement throughout, creative qualitative methods and survey methods to determine social value.

The project ran from July 2024 to May 2025.

Project Aims

Evaluated Nourishing Norfolk provision.

Project Activity

Used mixed methods to determine wider social value of the social supermarkets and the difference it has made to the lives of people. Also identified opportunities and learning.

Outputs

Read the UEA press release titled, 'Norfolk's social supermarkets provide national blueprint'

Read the project evaluation titled, 'NOURISHING NORFOLK NETWORK'

Read the executive summary titled, 'Nourishing Norfolk: a Model for Stronger Communities'

Read the report on Social Return on Investment (SROI) titled, 'Reports Database: Nourishing Norfolk – A Social Return on Investment'

Visit the Norfolk Community Foundation website to read the Nourishing Norfolk Provides National Blueprint

Watch the video to see Nourishing Norfolk in action

Who was involved?

• Sarah Hanson (PI), University of East Anglia
• Anna Sweeting, University of East Anglia
• Libs Olley, University of East Anglia
• Adam Wagner, University of East Anglia
• Nikki Garner, University of East Anglia

Contact

Sarah Hanson, s.hanson@uea.ac.uk