Positive impact of ABCD programme in Leeds showcased in new review

Featuring in ‘A review of ABCD in Leeds pathfinder sites (2019 -2025) A six-year journey from seeds to trees’, are the experiences of key stakeholders at six ‘Pathfinder’ sites across Leeds who have worked with the community to develop an ABCD approach.

The review also includes details of the positive impacts experienced by residents who have been part of the approach, and the positive ripple effect which ABCD projects have provided for the communities in which they live.

The six Pathfinder sites featured in the year six review included:

• Better Action for Families (BAFF).
• Horsforth Community Assets Project (HCAP).
• LS14 Trust.
• Older People’s Action in the Locality (OPAL).
• St Luke’s Cares.
• Touchstone.

Since 2013, the ABCD in Leeds programme has played an important role in working with local people to lead on and make the changes they wish to see in the communities where they live.

The ABCD model is based on focusing on what is strong in an area, working with people, building on social connections, and unlocking potential. People feel empowered to share their skills, knowledge, gifts, and ideas with each other, which in turn has encouraged different types of social-led action.

To support the findings of the review, which was led by Leeds City Council’s ABCD in Leeds team, case studies showcasing the positive impacts of working in this way, are also detailed.

Case studies include the  journey of Caroline, who used a Small Sparks (seed money to kick start ideas) grant to launch the Horsforth Repair Cafe, which provides a safe space where people from the local community can come to get different items repaired from professional fixers to hobbyists, but also stay for a hot drink, socialise and meet new people. Such has been the success of the repair cafe, Caroline has supported the opening of similar repair cafes in different communities.

Also featuring is Irene, whose St Barnabus Soup Kitchen, assisted by a Small Sparks grant and based in Burmantofts, now serves between 40 to 70 people weekly and has become a hub for new friendships, and transformation. As part of its growth, the initiative is helping to tackle social issues such as isolation, and also includes signposting to different services, assistance to fill in forms and access to food bank provisions through partnerships with different local organisations such as Touchstone.

A previous report in 2021 calculated that for every £1 invested in ABCD it returned up to £14 in social value. A revised assessment of the ‘Social Return on Investment’ (SROI) study conducted by Leeds Beckett University as part of the review found that for every £1 invested in ABCD, it returned £36.90 in social value within the local communities served by the Pathfinder sites. 

The key findings of the review were as follows:

• The ABCD Pathfinder sites have proved a catalyst to improving the health and wellbeing of people living there, strengthening social action, and the unlocking ‘assets’ of those areas.

• Connections between diverse communities have become deeply embedded through ABCD work – helping to build true meaningful friendships, and a sense of pride, fulfilment, and ownership of where they live.

• ABCD initiatives have led to positive ripple effects in communities. Groups and residents involved in ABCD work have been inspired to, for example, take over community assets, promote skills-based learning and create Community Interest Companies and intergenerational projects.

• The six Pathfinder sites offered a SROI return of £36.90 for every £1 invested through ABCD. The revised SROI study suggests funding the ABCD model is a very cost-effective investment to support prevention, build sustainable community infrastructure and support the social wide determinates of health.

To read the review, please see: ABCD Year Six Review

To find out more about ABCD in Leeds, please see: www.abcdinleeds.com 

Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles, and culture, said:  

“I very much welcome the publication of our ABCD Pathfinder Review 2025, which provides a detailed and interesting analysis of how ABCD in Leeds projects were delivered in our communities and what they achieved over a six-year cycle from 2019 to summer 2025.

“To inform the review we engaged with and listened closely to the views of everyone who have played such an important part in our ABCD in Leeds Year Six Pathfinder sites. The review also provides details on the positive impacts which has been made to the lives of residents through different case studies, whilst analysis is also provided by our partners at Leeds Beckett University on the significant social return which ABCD in Leeds projects has provided.

"The findings of the review are extremely interesting and really do highlight the difference asset-based approaches can have on the lives of residents and communities. Everything we have learned will help inform and shape how we deliver ABCD in Leeds in the future, and on a final note, I would like to offer a huge thank you to everyone who shared their experiences and contributed to the review.”

Professor Anne-Marie Bagnall, Director, Centre for Health Promotion Research, Leeds Beckett University said: 

“The Centre for Health Promotion Research at Leeds Beckett University have been delighted to be involved with the evaluation of the Leeds ABCD programme over the last six years.

“Asset Based Community Development is a powerful community-centred approach that fosters social connections, and empowers people to discover their own capabilities, and improve their health and wellbeing. It has been really inspiring to see this initiative grow over the years – as evidenced by our updated analysis of a £36.90 social return on investment (SROI) for the longest established site – meaning that every £1 invested now produces almost £37 worth of social value for people living in Leeds.”

ENDS

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