The project is evaluating financial and wellbeing outcomes for Macmillan customers who are taking part in the prototype, and will use quasi-experimental methods to identify the unique contribution of the prototype on financial outcomes. In addition, the project tested a prototype Theory of Change as part of a process evaluation. The evaluation was funded by Macmillan Cancer Support.

What is the need?

People often suffer financially when they have cancer; while Macmillan already provides support to people around their financial needs (covering money and work), the aim of the prototype was to see if there is a more effective way of providing that support.

The main objective of the evaluation was to inform Macmillan’s 2020 decisions about the future direction of support it provides to people living with cancer.

What are we doing?

PERU undertook a comprehensive evaluation which included process, impact and economic aspects. The evaluation design was mixed-method, and included a Community Reporting component that was led by People’s Voice Media.

What are the outcomes?

Macmillan Cancer Support commissioned the Policy Evaluation and Research Unit (PERU) at Manchester Metropolitan University in March 2019 to undertake the evaluation. The prototype started to operate in April 2019. PERU completed the evaluation in April 2020. A report was produced that informed Macmillan’s decision making.