November 21, 2025

Our South Copeland Development Officer, Beresford Moyle Rosser, is back with a handy guide to making sure you’re really helping your community this Christmas and beyond.

It’s that magical time of year again—twinkling lights, carols on the radio, snow on the Fells and a sense of goodwill in the air. Local charities in South Copeland are at the heart of this festive season, helping people when they need it most. But with so much going on, how can charities be sure they’re really making a difference? That’s where checking in on what you do—otherwise known as “evaluation”—comes in. It’s not as complicated as it sounds, and it can truly help make your charity’s impact even bigger and brighter, especially at Christmas.

 

Why Should Charities Check In On Their Services?

Doing a little check-in on your charity’s services isn’t just something to tick off a list—it’s a way to see how well you’re helping, and to find out if there are ways to do things even better. It helps show your supporters—like donors, volunteers, and the people you help—that you care about getting things right. It also makes sure your time, money, and effort are going exactly where they’re needed most.

How Does Checking In Help?

• Better Help for People: By spotting what’s working and what’s not, charities can tweak things to make sure the help is as good as it can be.
• More Support From Funders: People who donate or give grants want to see what their money is doing. Showing them what’s working can help your charity get more support.
• Stronger Community Connections: Listening to the people you help makes them feel valued—and you get ideas for what could be better.
• Good Planning: Knowing what works helps you set goals for the future and make your charity stronger in the long run.

 

How Can Charities See What’s Working?

There are lots of simple ways to check if your charity’s really making a difference. Here are some easy ideas:

1. Ask the People You Help

One of the best things you can do is just ask! Chat with people, hand out quick surveys, or let people drop their thoughts in a suggestion box. Their feedback will show you what’s working and what might need to change.

2. Keep Track of What You Do and What Changes

Try writing down what you do (like how many food parcels you give out) and what changes because of it (like whether people say they feel less worried about food). Both the numbers and the stories make a big difference.

3. Setting Simple Goals

Goals help you know if you’re heading in the right direction. Some easy things to keep an eye on might be:

• How many people you help (like families or individuals)
• How happy people are with the help they get (maybe from a quick thumbs up/thumbs down survey)
• How many people come back for help again if they need it
• How much money you raise for different projects
• Stories from people whose lives have changed for the better

Pick things that make sense for what your charity does, and remember—you don’t need loads of numbers to see if you’re doing a good job!

How Often Should Charities Check In?

You don’t need to do a massive review every week! Most charities find it helpful to do a proper check-in once a year—maybe at the end of the year or after a big project. But little check-ins every few months or when you finish something big can help you stay on track and make quick changes if you need to. The main thing is to look regularly and keep learning.

4. Have a Chat With the Community

Group chats, meetups, or even informal get-togethers can be a great way to get honest opinions about what’s working and where you could do more.

5. Take a Peek at What Others Are Doing

It’s always good to see how other charities do things—maybe you’ll pick up some ideas, or see ways you could do things differently. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice!

 

Wrapping Up

Checking in on your charity’s work makes sure you’re really helping people in the way they need it most. It builds stronger bonds with your community, helps you plan for the future, and makes it easier to show everyone how much good you’re doing. With a little bit of honest feedback and a willingness to learn, you’ll be spreading even more Christmas cheer—and making a difference all year round!

If you would like support in evaluating your particular charity or local group, contact me either on email: Beresford.moylerosser@cumbriacvs.org.uk or by phone on 07826 284929. I work Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and am based at the Millom Community Hub if you want to pop in and see me. Have a great Christmas and a very Happy New Year.