A report can look impressive while leaving the useful question unanswered: what changed, and what supports that conclusion? Before sponsoring an activity, agree a small evidence plan. This guide is a practical reporting exercise, not a formal evaluation method or a claim about Mental Wealth Hour results.
Use five distinct levels
- Contribution: What money, time, venue or materials were actually received? Record dates and any restrictions.
- Activity: What was organised or delivered? Record the topic, location, responsible lead and session dates.
- Output: What was produced or completed? Examples include a session held, materials supplied or a group action recorded.
- Participation: Who took part in aggregate, and what choice did they have? State how attendance was counted without publishing identities.
- Intended outcome: What change was the activity designed to support, and what evidence could reasonably show progress?
Test a claim
“We shared a message with a group of 200” describes potential distribution, not 200 people helped. “Twenty people attended” describes participation, not improved mental health. “The agreed action was completed” demonstrates follow-through, but its wider effects still need examination. Keep these statements separate.
Ask for useful context
What is the reporting period? What was the starting point? Is the information complete or based on voluntary feedback? Could other changes explain the result? What was not measured? Small samples and self-reports can be useful for learning when their limits are visible.
Agree a reporting card
Contribution received _____. Delivery completed _____. Participation count and method _____. Agreed actions completed _____. Voluntary feedback summary _____. Intended outcome _____. Evidence limits _____. Next decision _____.
Choose measures that people can maintain without turning a supportive activity into surveillance. Avoid collecting individual health details for sponsor reporting. Consent for participation is separate from permission to use a story in publicity.
A credible review may reveal an activity that should change or stop. Treat that as useful information. Reporting should support decisions, rather than require every contribution to be described as a success.