Case Study: IMPACTAgewell® - Exploring Social Investment as an Antidote to ‘Cliff Edge’ Grant Funding
IMPACTAgewell®, a community-based initiative focused on improving care for older people is investigating how to add outcomes-based social investment to their portfolio of funding streams. In the case study we explore what led IMPACTAgewell® to look at the benefits this innovative funding model can offer.
Introduction to IMPACTAgewell®
In October 2016 Mid & East Antrim Agewell Partnership (Agewell) leveraged its expertise in representing older people’s interests and formed a coalition with strategic partners to launch the IMPACTAgewell®. This three year pilot was delivered with nearly £1m investment from Dunhill Medical Trust. The community-based model, managed through a strategic hub, aimed to improve care by involving older people in care decisions, enhancing well-being, diversifying support, and fostering partnerships.
IMPACTAgewell® set out to create six local hubs, generate 1,100 referrals for vulnerable older individuals, and fund community social support programs. These Locality Hubs, initially meeting monthly and now bi-monthly at GP practices, involve professionals like GPs, pharmacists, social workers, and Agewell officers. They identify vulnerable individuals, develop action plans, and provide support, including funded social prescriptions. IMPACTAgewell® has been funded by the Department of Health from 2020 to 2025 and has grown its hubs to 22; covering all GP surgeries in the Mid and East Antrim Council area.
Discovering Social Investment
Following the success of the pilot IMPACTAgewell® was introduced to the concept of social investment, and specifically outcomes-based funding, by Social Finance. Initially unfamiliar with this funding model, IMPACTAgewell® found it to be an innovative and sustainable alternative to traditional grants. Conversations with Social Finance and peer-to-peer discussions with Ways to Wellness (another health and wellbeing VCSE with social investment experience) highlighted the potential benefits.
We started to believe that for a small community and voluntary organisation like Agewell, which constantly faces cliff edge funding, this could be a more sustainable alternative to grant funding.
Sarah McLaughlin, Executive Director of Health Programmes, Agewell
Suitability for Social Investment
Several factors have led Social Finance to identify IMPACTAgewell® as a suitable candidate for social investment and as a viable proof-of-concept for this model in Northern Ireland:
- A Clear Problem and Definition of Success: IMPACTAgewell® identified a problem in a particular cohort and identified clear outcomes that reflect benefits for people in that population.
- Clear Potential to Create Value for the System and Patients: demonstrated by the impact of the pilot service:
- Cost Savings to Healthcare: Data collected at three points during the older person’s journey—before, during, and after IMPACTAgewell® support—showed that for every £1 invested, £2.38 could be saved in healthcare costs through reduced GP appointments, fewer A&E visits, and shorter hospital stays.
- Social Return on Investment: Surveys and questionnaires from healthcare professionals indicated that for every £1 invested, £2.22 was generated in social benefit.
- Degree of Uncertainty: While IMPACTAgewell® has had a demonstrated benefit for patients and the system there is sufficient uncertainty to justify an outcomes-based approach. If the intervention was very well established, evidenced and tightly linked to outcomes, grant or traditional commissioning might be more suitable.
- Scalability: The model’s potential to scale and address system stressors, especially during a healthcare funding crisis in Northern Ireland, makes social investment a timely proposal.
We need to show that there are alternative ways to leverage investment into Northern Ireland to bolster the impactful work of the community and voluntary sector, which provides vital support to the health system here.
Sarah McLaughlin, Executive Director of Health Programmes, Agewell
Future Plans
As part of a diversified funding portfolio, including grants and donations, IMPACTAgewell® would plan to use social investment funds to deepen and expand its model across Northern Ireland. Currently operating in the Northern Health and Social Care Trust area, IMPACTAgewell® aims to spread into bordering regions, recruit more staff, build partnerships with additional GP surgeries and Community Pharmacy partners, and invest in community groups to build local capacity. IMPACTAgewell® are now working with Social Finance to identify catalytic partnerships with social investors and outcomes payors to bring their social investment model to life.
“We seek social investors interested in forming long-term relationships with charities and their trustees; who understand the realities, uncertainties, and entrepreneurial spirit that have characterised the charity sector for many years; and who are willing to simultaneously champion and challenge charities and their trustees.”
Are you a Health & Social Care VCSE looking to explore social investment?
The pioneering journey of IMPACTAgewell® underscores the importance of exploring diverse funding streams to ensure long-term sustainability and impact. Social investment offers a viable alternative to ‘cliff edge’ grant funding, providing a pathway to scalability, cost savings, and enhanced quality of care. By leveraging social investment, organisations can continue to deliver vital services, adapt to funding challenges, and ultimately contribute to a more resilient and effective health and social care system.
- Visit our social investment hub to find out more
- Reach out to tara.rowe.smith@socialfinance.org.uk to have a conversation about how we can help you navigate opportunities around social investment
We would like to extend our gratitude to Sarah McLaughlin, Executive Director of Health Programmes at Agewell, for her invaluable contributions to this case study.
