Deep thinking for people who care about communities

 

Housing

Charities

NHS

Business

Policy-makers

I provide people-focused research, and strategic consultancy for organisations who work with communities.

With 25 years working across public, private and voluntary sectors, I bring smart thinking, deep insight, and practical solutions to big and small projects, places, and problems.

 

Do you need research that leads to action?

 

Research-led projects

Focused on people and communities, my work goes beyond the surface - and delivers real world results.

I also specialise in research which crosses professional boundaries and cultures - building understanding and shared aspirations.

Qualitative research focused on real voices

Evaluations

Action research

Mixed-methods and blended research

Ethnography, narrative research, thematic analysis

Deep-dive interviews

Case stories

Diverse professional groups, alongside end-users

Sensitive or controversial topics

Communities of identity, place or culture

NHS, GP Federations, Public Health

Health and social care

Place-based, regeneration

Housing

Voluntary and community sector

Do you need to plan the future? Or solve a problem?

Strategy and management consultancy

Working as a trusted partner, I can help your organisation, programme, or service get to the next stage in its development. My work can help you ask and answer big questions, and deliver maximum positive results for your clients, residents, patients, or beneficiaries.

 

Leadership consultancy

Theory of change

New projects and programmes

Strategic review

Development and income diversification

Trouble-shooting

Service evaluation and improvement

Coaching and mentoring

Organisational development

Strategic planning

Do you need to innovate?

 

Special projects, from idea to execution.

I help people develop new ideas and make things happen. From front-line delivery to top-line strategy, including income generation, I can help you get from the idea to the execution.

Recent projects

  • Blue Bermondsey

    Regeneration Research: A People-Powered Regeneration strategy

    Working with the Made in Bermondsey partnership to develop a ‘people-powered regeneration’ strategy to sit alongside the landmark £2m development of the Blue Market. The project spanned in-depth sensitive research on culture and identity, to market research, and creation of an actionable strategy to preserve, change, and revive local community.

  • Health Research: Evaluating a major NHS and voluntary sector partnership

    Working with Age UK Croydon, NHS South West London, and Healthwatch, to evaluate and set the future direction for the Personal Independence Coordinator Service, a community-based key service in Croydon’s thriving integrated care network. I led a wide-ranging piece of action research across all sections of the health and social care system. You can read the report here.

  • Housing Innovations: An almshouse for the 21st century

    Working with United St Saviour’s charity to develop their groundbreaking Appleby Blue project, developing their vision for community, an operating model for ‘Appleby Kitchen’, and modernisation of care of elderly residents across their housing, especially relating to social isolation. Find out more here.

  • Another big tower in Southwark

    Charity Evaluation: Southwark Planning Voice, with Southwark Law Centre

    Working to evaluate and explore future directions for this project supporting community activists to make challenges to planning decisions. Consulting across community activist groups, public health, lawyers, service users, and planners, the end result was additional funding, and a scalable plan for the future. You can read the report here.

 

 

Dr Alex Evans

I know people, places, and cultures, like the back of my hand.

With 25 years working in the social and health sector, 10+ years as a CEO/ Director in the VCS, and a professional academic background, I can always bring multiple perspectives and experiences to any project or organisation.

Most of all, I’m all about combining ways of thinking: theory with practice, strategy with delivery, research with the real world.

People say I’m also fun to work with, which really helps.