Communications and Engagement Audit

Phase 1: Discover and Develop To undertake initial desktop research to prepare for the research phase, including assessment of: • o Trust narrative and key messages • o Trust values and vision • o Key internal and external stakeholders • o Trust website, intranet and social media • o Any existing communications strategy • o Agreed communication KPIs (number of proactive press releases, social media engagement and followers etc) • o Regular proactive communications output (press release, newsletters, social media posts) • o Trust reputation via social listening tools • o Staff survey and internal communications output • o Engagement activity with stakeholders The discovery stage will enable Freshwater UK ltd to agree questions to explore with stakeholders in the next phase of work, and with whom they might host interviews.

Phase 2: Research To conduct qualitative research such as a number of one-to-one interviews (to be agreed) potentially including: • o Chief executive • o Chair • o Executive Directors • o NEDs (small selection, as directed) • o Governors (small selection, as directed) • o Communication team members • o Key external stakeholders, including senior leaders (small selection, as directed) • o Partner organisations (small selection, as directed) Freshwater UK ltd will also host a number of focus groups, including: • o Staff focus groups • o Stakeholder groups Phase 3: Recommendations To analyse the findings from our research and develop a draft recommendations report.

The report will be part expert judgement and part data drive and make recommendations for consideration by the Trust.

The report will include: • o Analysis of best practice • o What good communication looks like • o Findings from research • o Conclusions and recommendations The authors of the report will be available to meet with the Trust to present findings.