OFS developed the Storytelling Evaluation Method in 2017 to evaluate its own impact as an organisation. At that time, we collected stories from people involved in our work in a range of different ways, and then came together to discuss these stories and think about how they might inform our work in future. This process was so useful to us that we rewrote our mission statement, focusing on the importance of good quality relationships in every aspect of our work. 

 

Following this internal evaluation project, we shared our experiences of Storytelling with partners in Oxfordshire and beyond. Since our initial experiment in measuring impact with stories, we have supported over one hundred organisations locally and nationally to implement the method. This includes other cultural sector organisations, local authorities, research institutions, and voluntary action groups, covering subjects such as housing and homelessness, asylum and immigration, mental wellbeing, the arts, and more. 

 

Since 2023, we have collected stories in an ongoing way from staff, volunteers, Crisis members, participants in creative projects, artists, and trustees, and other partners. Each year, we invite people we work with to come together with us and think about what these stories can tell us about the impact of our work.

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2023 Storytelling report

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2024-2025 Storytelling report coming soon (read the stories below).