Our Projects
At SOULAB we are experts in designing, implementing and measuring social change.
We've worked on a range of projects to foster and realise social change in the following service areas:
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Outcomes frameworks
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Outcomes measurement
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Economic analysis and evaluation (including cost-benefit analysis and social impact modelling)
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Social policy and strategy advice
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Dashboards and evidence briefs
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Design and implementation of social change initiatives through Action Labs
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Tools and resources for better outcomes
Impact Assessment Success Stories
Explore how we've partnered with clients to measure how they do good.
SOULAB was engaged by the NSW Mental Health Commission to review and develop the current set of 10 headline indicators to ensure sufficient, appropriate and effective systems level monitoring of progress in reform, specifically Living Well, from a whole-of-government and whole-of-life perspective.
SOULAB was engaged by the NSW Mental Health Commission to review and develop the current set of 10 headline indicators to ensure sufficient, appropriate and effective systems level monitoring of progress in reform, specifically Living Well, from a whole-of-government and whole-of-life perspective.
SOULAB was engaged by the NSW Mental Health Commission to review and develop the current set of 10 headline indicators to ensure sufficient, appropriate and effective systems level monitoring of progress in reform, specifically Living Well, from a whole-of-government and whole-of-life perspective.
SOULAB was engaged by the NSW Mental Health Commission to review and develop the current set of 10 headline indicators to ensure sufficient, appropriate and effective systems level monitoring of progress in reform, specifically Living Well, from a whole-of-government and whole-of-life perspective.
Outcome
The indicator framework monitoring allows for the performance of the headline indicators to be measured, and to influence the indicators to produce the best possible outcomes for the sector.
Review of the headline indicators to monitor mental health reform for the NSW Mental Health Commission
SOULAB was engaged by the NSW Mental Health Commission to review and develop the current set of 10 headline indicators to ensure sufficient, appropriate and effective systems level monitoring of progress in reform, specifically Living Well, from a whole-of-government and whole-of-life perspective.
SOULAB was engaged by the NSW Mental Health Commission to review and develop the current set of 10 headline indicators to ensure sufficient, appropriate and effective systems level monitoring of progress in reform, specifically Living Well, from a whole-of-government and whole-of-life perspective.
SOULAB was engaged by the NSW Mental Health Commission to review and develop the current set of 10 headline indicators to ensure sufficient, appropriate and effective systems level monitoring of progress in reform, specifically Living Well, from a whole-of-government and whole-of-life perspective.
SOULAB was engaged by the NSW department of Family and Community Services ( NSW FACS) to develop a resource that will assist in matching families with the most appropriate services to ensure the best possible likelihood of achieving positive outcomes such as restoration in line with the Permanency Support Program (PSP) reform. This project was a local response to locally experienced issues that FACS has prioritised to invest in whilst going through the PSP reform.
Outcome
NSW FACS are able to more effectively match families to the most appropriate services, increasing likelihood of positive outcomes being achieved.
Decision Making Framework for NSW FACS
SOULAB was engaged by the NSW Mental Health Commission to review and develop the current set of 10 headline indicators to ensure sufficient, appropriate and effective systems level monitoring of progress in reform, specifically Living Well, from a whole-of-government and whole-of-life perspective.
SOULAB was engaged by the NSW Mental Health Commission to review and develop the current set of 10 headline indicators to ensure sufficient, appropriate and effective systems level monitoring of progress in reform, specifically Living Well, from a whole-of-government and whole-of-life perspective.
SOULAB was engaged by the NSW Mental Health Commission to review and develop the current set of 10 headline indicators to ensure sufficient, appropriate and effective systems level monitoring of progress in reform, specifically Living Well, from a whole-of-government and whole-of-life perspective.
The Dignity Housing Pilot (DHP) is an intergenerational model of housing support which aims to assist the younger and elderly population experiencing homelessness with temporary housing (up to 12 months) and provide safe and supportive community in South Western Sydney.
Outcome
DCJ were able to leverage the evaluation to obtain funding to extend DHP into 2021-22.
Rapid Evaluation of Dignity Housing Pilot
The NSW Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) were seeking approval to extend the DHP into 2021-22. They required a rapid impact assessment to: 1) quantify and articulate the impacts of the Dignity Housing Pilot and, 2) assess the economic cost/benefit of the program.
SOULAB was engaged by the NSW Mental Health Commission to review and develop the current set of 10 headline indicators to ensure sufficient, appropriate and effective systems level monitoring of progress in reform, specifically Living Well, from a whole-of-government and whole-of-life perspective.
SOULAB was engaged by the NSW Mental Health Commission to review and develop the current set of 10 headline indicators to ensure sufficient, appropriate and effective systems level monitoring of progress in reform, specifically Living Well, from a whole-of-government and whole-of-life perspective.
SOULAB was engaged by the NSW Mental Health Commission to review and develop the current set of 10 headline indicators to ensure sufficient, appropriate and effective systems level monitoring of progress in reform, specifically Living Well, from a whole-of-government and whole-of-life perspective.
Trailblazers is a social change initiative, under the broader 'Heywire' program, providing unique development opportunities for young changemakers in regional Australia.
Outcome
The evaluation found that the program was effective and provided recommendations on improvements to the program which have been adopted by the ABC.
Impact Assessment of ABC Trailblazer Program
One challenge for the evaluation was to develop a clear Theory of Change given that the program had already been in place for some years. To overcome this challenge and develop a Theory of Change, a workshop with the ABC project team and past Trailblazers was conducted to understand the mechanics of change in terms of outcomes for the participants.
Action Labs Success Stories
Explore how we've partnered with clients to design the change they want to see in the world.
SOULAB was engaged by the NSW Mental Health Commission to review and develop the current set of 10 headline indicators to ensure sufficient, appropriate and effective systems level monitoring of progress in reform, specifically Living Well, from a whole-of-government and whole-of-life perspective.
SOULAB was engaged by the NSW Mental Health Commission to review and develop the current set of 10 headline indicators to ensure sufficient, appropriate and effective systems level monitoring of progress in reform, specifically Living Well, from a whole-of-government and whole-of-life perspective.
SOULAB was engaged by the NSW Mental Health Commission to review and develop the current set of 10 headline indicators to ensure sufficient, appropriate and effective systems level monitoring of progress in reform, specifically Living Well, from a whole-of-government and whole-of-life perspective.
In order to test whether establishing social business is a feasible approach to generating employment for disadvantaged communities in NSW, SOULAB worked with a social housing community over the course of a year to design, develop and deliver a social enterprise that generated employment, reduced food waste and increased food security.
Outcome
The store generated employment and training opportunities in Ashmont, reduced food waste and reduced financial stress through discount groceries.
Ashmont community lounge and grocery
SOULAB was engaged by the NSW Mental Health Commission to review and develop the current set of 10 headline indicators to ensure sufficient, appropriate and effective systems level monitoring of progress in reform, specifically Living Well, from a whole-of-government and whole-of-life perspective.
SOULAB was engaged by the NSW Mental Health Commission to review and develop the current set of 10 headline indicators to ensure sufficient, appropriate and effective systems level monitoring of progress in reform, specifically Living Well, from a whole-of-government and whole-of-life perspective.
SOULAB was engaged by the NSW Mental Health Commission to review and develop the current set of 10 headline indicators to ensure sufficient, appropriate and effective systems level monitoring of progress in reform, specifically Living Well, from a whole-of-government and whole-of-life perspective.
In NSW, domestic violence related assaults have been increasing over time (while other types of assaults have been decreasing). Culturally there is hesitation for individuals in Muslim communities to go to authorities for assistance. Traditionally there is reliance on communities to assist with sorting out issues and communities are an acceptable forum for sorting out issues. However, in many instances currently, communities are broken.
Outcome
A set of strategies and actions to address DFV issues in Muslim communities in NSW resulted from the Action Lab.
Development of a strategy to address domestic and family violence in Muslim communities in NSW
The aim of this Action Lab was to take a solution-focused approach to DFV issues specific to Muslim communities.
SOULAB was engaged by the NSW Mental Health Commission to review and develop the current set of 10 headline indicators to ensure sufficient, appropriate and effective systems level monitoring of progress in reform, specifically Living Well, from a whole-of-government and whole-of-life perspective.
SOULAB was engaged by the NSW Mental Health Commission to review and develop the current set of 10 headline indicators to ensure sufficient, appropriate and effective systems level monitoring of progress in reform, specifically Living Well, from a whole-of-government and whole-of-life perspective.
SOULAB was engaged by the NSW Mental Health Commission to review and develop the current set of 10 headline indicators to ensure sufficient, appropriate and effective systems level monitoring of progress in reform, specifically Living Well, from a whole-of-government and whole-of-life perspective.
A collective impact action lab with IWin. The objective of the lab was to identify innovative and structured approaches to increase economic opportunities and supports for CALD women.
Outcome
Her Kitchen Table was the outcome of this action lab, HKT connects food lovers to authentic and culturally diverse foods from all over the world, made by Canberra’s best home cooks (also known as meal artists!), empowering CALD women through employment opportunities.
Economic empowerment of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Women in the ACT
The lab consisted of:
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3-part solution identification workshop series which brought together people from the CALD community, government, not-for-profit, and private organisations
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Solution design workshops for operating model of HKT