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Evaluation of the COPD Project in Bridgwater

Gina Kallis

17th Mar 2025 | 3 min read

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Purpose of the Evaluation 

The aim of this evaluation was to assess the impact of the Evolving Communities COPD Project in Bridgwater. The project was designed to improve the diagnosis, care, and support for individuals with chronic respiratory disease, particularly Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The project aligned with the NHS England Core20PLUS5 initiative, which focuses on reducing health inequalities among the most deprived populations. Bridgwater, which has a higher-than-average rate of COPD, was chosen as the location for this community-driven initiative. I worked on the evaluation with Research Your Way. It explored to what extent the project met its primary goals which were to: 

  • engage with individuals living with COPD 
  • raise awareness about their health needs 
  • foster a sense of community support to improve health outcomes. 

Key Methods 

The evaluation employed a mixed-methods approach, including both qualitative and observational research. The key methods used were: 

  1. Observations and Research Conversations: I attended coffee mornings and Sing 2 Breathe sessions to engage with participants and asked them about the impacts of the project. 
  2. Semi-Structured Interviews: I conducted interviews with project staff, partners, stakeholders, and community connectors to gather insights on the project’s implementation and impact. 
  3. Feedback Analysis: I gathered and analysed feedback from participants in Sing 2 Breathe sessions to assess perceived benefits. 

Data from these methods were triangulated and analysed thematically, offering a comprehensive view of the project’s impact. 

Achievements 

The evaluation found several notable achievements of the COPD project, with impacts categorised into four key themes: 

  1. Physical Health Improvements: Participants reported improved posture, better breathing control, and reduced breathlessness due to gentle exercise and focused health management. 
  2. Mental and Emotional Wellbeing: The project contributed to reduced anxiety and increased confidence in managing COPD, while uplifting participants’ moods and encouraging them to stay positive. 
  3. Social Connectivity: The initiative fostered a sense of community, combating social isolation, and strengthening relationships between participants, healthcare providers, and local organisations. 
  4. Practical Support: The project provided peer-to-peer advice, raising awareness of available health services, and empowering participants to manage their condition more effectively. 

Despite challenges in engaging participants—particularly those experiencing deprivation—successful strategies such as empathetic facilitation, comprehensive outreach, and accessible, informal sessions helped overcome barriers to participation. These outcomes underscore the importance of continued support for individuals with COPD, and the evaluation’s recommendations focused on sustaining the project’s positive impacts through continued promotion, diverse group locations, and holistic support integration. 

Testimonials

Client Testimonials

Our evaluations have transformed our approach to community engagement.

Gina has done various pieces of market-style research for us over the years and they have been invaluable in helping us to tailor our marketing approach to suit that of our target audience, particularly on our social media platforms. She also writes our monthly landlord newsletter, which is always interesting and insightful and pitched at the perfect level. We would not use anyone else for anything research/writing-related.

Hannah Lawrence Student Choice Plymouth

I have used Gina on a number of research projects in the past and would have no hesitation using her again in the future. She has researched a wide variety of topics for me, some of which were very new to her. Her work has always been of the highest standard and always delivered to deadline. Her contributions have been invaluable to the success of these projects.

Professor Tim Hall University of Winchester

Gina provided proofreading support for my PhD thesis about Environmental Governance and, thanks to her involvement and reliability, she became an important member of my thesis working community. She was always there when I needed her support, proofreading my work even at weekends when submission deadlines were tight. I would like to highlight her professionalism and understanding and there is no doubt that without her support, I would not have been able to succeed in the process. I will always be grateful to her for her help and generosity. Today I am a Doctor in Environmental Governance and she has played an instrumental role in helping me to achieve this.

Dr. Jaime Sanchez-Garcia University of Plymouth

We recently worked with Naomi and Gina, who evaluated a community grass roots project we were delivering in Bridgwater, Somerset.  The project aimed to bring experts by experience affected by COPD together to champion and support the wellbeing of others living with the disease.  Volunteer community coordinators were recruited and supported to listen to experiences, provide information about support and wellbeing services and influence services and decisions makers by sharing feedback at a strategic level.  Naomi and Gina supported the project by carrying out an independent evaluation of the project to highlight the impact of the project’s approach.  Their professional approach included speaking to participants at focus groups and sing2breath sessions and interviewing key stakeholders.  They delivered the evaluation in a timely and proactive way, were flexible and got ‘stuck in’ at the sessions.  Their final report with recommendations has been welcomed by those who took part in the project as well as system leaders.

Chief Executive, Lucie Woodruff Evolving Communities