Evaluation of The Key : Lessons from a Gender Specific Educational Programme

The Key Project receives Big Lottery funding to support disadvantaged girls and young women (aged between 13 and 25) deemed to be at high risk of abuse within the Leeds area, aiming to work with 324 individuals. The Key is hosted by a voluntary sector provider of gender-specific (women-only) health focused programmes. This paper presents the interim findings from an on-going longitudinal evaluation of The Key. The evaluation draws on data collection from creative focus group activities with young women, semi-structured interviews with project staff and referrers, as well as desk-based analysis of internal monitoring data. The Key model of delivery provides young women with peer support (weekly group sessions) and additional one to one intensive support where required, to educate them and develop their knowledge and capabilities in being better able to identify and respond appropriately to abusive relationships. The Key aims to increase young women’s skills to stay safe and to improve their mental wellbeing. In the evaluation data so far, young women report a variety of positive outcomes as a result of their engagement with The Key, including being better able to recognise abuse, increase their safety and capacity to be in control. Many reported increased self-confidence