Phase 1 · Social Outcomes
Measuring the social value of outdoor recreation
Outdoor education and outdoor recreation create wellbeing, resilience, and social cohesion. This module gives operators and educators a validated way to measure and report these outcomes — and aggregates the data into a sector-wide evidence base for advocacy.
What the evidence already tells us
social value created per $1 invested in active recreation in NZ
Sport NZ SROI, 2023
total social and economic value of community sport and recreation in NZ
Sport NZ, 2023
of social, economic, and environmental value per $1 invested in Outward Bound
Accenture / OBI SROI, 2024
standard deviation improvement in resilience from nature-based interventions (children)
Springer Meta-analysis, 2025
What peer-reviewed research consistently shows
What this module measures
All measurement is based on validated, internationally recognised instruments. Operators and educators collect data from participants — then submit aggregated (not individual-level) results.
SWEMWBS — Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale
Seven questions. Two minutes. Free to use. The gold standard for wellbeing measurement, validated across 15+ countries and used in NZ health research. Scores run from 7 (low) to 35 (high). Can be benchmarked against New Zealand national norms.
Each question answered on a 5-point scale: None of the time → All of the time. Administered pre-programme and post-programme.
Supplementary: Confidence and social connection (3 items)
Three programme-specific questions rated 1–5, collected pre and post:
- • "I feel confident in my ability to handle challenges"
- • "I am able to work effectively with others"
- • "I feel a sense of connection to the natural environment"
Combined with SWEMWBS, these enable basic SROI calculation using Sport NZ's Social Value Bank proxy values without commissioning original research.
Optional: Life Effectiveness Questionnaire (LEQ-H)
For specialist outdoor education and adventure therapy programmes: 24 questions measuring self-confidence, emotional control, social competence, achievement motivation, active initiative, and task leadership. Validated for adventure education specifically; widely used by Outward Bound Australia and comparable organisations.
Treasury Living Standards Framework alignment
NZ government budgets are structured around Treasury's Living Standards Framework (LSF). SWEMWBS scores map directly onto the LSF's wellbeing domains — giving sector advocates a direct line between programme data and government funding language.
More on the LSF at Treasury.govt.nz →Sector outcomes dashboard
Sample data — for illustrationProgramme cohorts reported
2024 season
Participants
across all programmes
Avg SWEMWBS improvement
out of 35 max
Participants showed improvement
post vs pre score
Avg SWEMWBS improvement by programme type
Change in score (scale: 7–35)
Participants by programme type
Share of total 2024 season participants
Participating organisations by region
% of reporting cohorts
Programme demographic reach
% of participant cohorts including each group
Submit your programme outcomes
Submissions are voluntary. Organisation name is optional — you may submit anonymously. Only aggregate data (not individual participant records) is collected.