Evaluation of More than just words: theory of change

The Theory of Change (ToC) presented in this report is informed by the views and experiences of stakeholders and those involved in policy delivery. Interviews focused on what needed to be in place to achieve the framework’s objectives.

What did participants say?

Stakeholders agreed service users would feel comfortable communicating in Welsh. Their language of choice would be normalised and embedded, with the Active Offer available to everyone including key vulnerable groups.

Ensuring sufficient language skills within the workforce and growing/supporting Welsh language skills in the future were seen to be key.

A cultural shift was seen as essential to creating a positive attitude towards the Welsh language. Some stakeholders highlighted the importance of winning the hearts and minds of senior executives. Others argued direction of travel could be from the bottom up.

Key success enabling factors to achieve the aims of 'More than just words' included improving training provision, uptake and retention of Welsh speakers in the workforce. Welsh language systems and processes and routinely providing bilingual resources and correspondence were also noted.

Developing a Theory of Change

These interview findings alongside desk-based research were mapped onto a ToC model for each of the objectives of 'More than just words'. The key drivers of change identified within each of the objectives were:

• existing workforces
• future workforces
• systems and processes
• bilingual communication material

The ToC models consider the assumptions for objectives alongside expected outputs/ outcomes. These are mapped to potential longer term impacts. Linkages between the key drivers of the Active Offer and 'More than just words' framework are identified.