WYS Impact
Research / M&E
What's Your Story? is a tool for social change that is having a real impact on people who use it.
To understand how effective What's Your Story? is in helping to build connections and cultivate a stronger sense of community in churches through story-sharing, Heartlines, the Centre for Values Promotion, commissioned Singizi Consulting Africa to do an evaluation of the project.
Some of the most important things their report showed were that:
- The majority of people who have done WYS are using the approach in their broader communities (including church, family, community-based organisations, schools and workplaces).
- WYS is simple and accessible for people of different races, genders and ages.
- Once someone has adopted story-sharing, they are likely to implement it more than once.
- People find Heartlines resources very valuable.
You can also download and read the WYS 2021 Evaluation Summary.
Case studies
Singizi Consulting Africa also put together case studies which show real-world examples of how meaningful changes are happening in churches around South Africa as people connect through story.
“People are more tolerant, and I have noticed that there is more openness. I feel that the church is becoming more diverse, as people are made to feel more welcome and people from all backgrounds are feeling comfortable to come.”
“I am more understanding, empathise and sympathise with people. I try my best to understand why people do things the way they do; why they act or think the way they do.”
The What's Your Story? project was made possible through the support of a grant from Templeton Religion Trust. The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Templeton Religion Trust.
Share your feedback with us
Have you gone through a WYS event or training or personally been impacted by the story-sharing process? We’d love to hear how you, your church, small group, organisation or family were impacted by What’s Your Story?