Buckinghamshire Blue Light Project Evaluation
Task
The Blue Light Project, developed by Alcohol Change UK, is being implemented by Buckinghamshire County Council and key partners. The initiative was designed to support individuals with long-term, high-impact substance use – particularly those who are not engaging with traditional treatment.
The Blue Light Project consists of two main elements:
An assertive outreach team based within the local drug and alcohol treatment centre
A multi-agency group to ensure a joint identification and ownership of the highest impact clients.
TONIC was commissioned by Buckinghamshire County Council to conduct a multi-year independent evaluation of the Blue Light Project. The evaluation aimed to:
Measure the impact and effectiveness of the project
Identify success factors and challenges to inform improvements and the future of the Blue Light Project.
Our Approach
The evaluation combined both data analysis and real-world insight, utilising both quantitative and qualitative methods. TONIC reviewed anonymised service activity data collected between October 2021 and May 2024 and carried out in-depth interviews with clients, frontline staff, and wider professionals involved in delivering the project. The interviews with Blue Light workers focused on their experiences of delivering support, strategies used to engage and motivate clients, and reflections on the outcomes achieved. The interviews with clients explored the challenges they faced, support they received and their perception of the impact it had on their lives. Once the interviews were completed, all the data was triangulated, and key themes were identified.
Outcome
TONIC produced an in-depth, written report for Buckinghamshire County Council, detailing all the evaluation findings. Within the report, the findings outlined the key themes around service demand, uptake, delivery, engagement, and cost effectiveness. This was supplemented by six detailed case studies based on the interviews completed with clients and their corresponding worker, using a template agreed with Buckinghamshire County Council representatives. This covered how contact had been initiated, how the worker had built engagement, motivated the individual and prepared them for treatment, alongside a testimonial from the client. Following completion of the project, findings were presented to key stakeholders.
The evaluation pointed to encouraging signs of progress. While the full impact appeared to be shaped by multiple factors, the findings emphasised the importance of consistent, coordinated support as this can help to build trust, improve stability, and reduce pressure on local services. The evaluation found that the Blue Light Project’s flexible and persistent approach has made a meaningful difference for many of its clients, including:
Improved social relationships and family reconnection
Better mental health and emotional wellbeing
Reduction in demand on emergency and criminal justice services.