MARA: Maximising Access in Rural Areas: Evaluation Reports

The below documents are:

• Full report – MARA: Maximising Access in Rural Areas: Evaluation Report, January 2016
• Summary report - MARA: Maximising Access in Rural Areas: Summary Evaluation Report, October 2015

In total, 12,085 households in rural areas were accessed between April 2012 and December 2014 via the Maximising Access in Rural Areas (MARA) anti-poverty initiative. Through MARA, the needs of 13,784 individuals were assessed for a range of benefits, services and/or grants.

Referrals to a range of organisations were made on behalf of clients, with their consent and the outcomes were followed up and recorded. Eight percent (1,031) of clients were followed up six months post-programme to evaluate the impact of receiving the benefits, grants and/or benefits on their health and wellbeing. A social return on investment (SROI) was also undertaken as a means to evaluate the programme. This evaluation report describes the outcomes for clients including the impact and value of MARA, and conclusions and options for going forward.