Critical literature reviews of greenspace and quality of life highlighted a lack of research evidence that could be used to prove the economic, environmental and social value of greenspaces.

Greenspaces offer so much to the local community: a place to meet, an area in which to exercise or play, somewhere to relax, a source of pride and inspiration, a place to gain knowledge and learn new skills. The challenge is how to demonstrate the real value of all of the benefits of greenspace to people, places, communities and our quality of life.

SROI offers a way of measuring, identifying and valuing all the changes that an activity provides. It has the potential to identify and value some of the benefits, particularly social ones, which may not be included in other methodologies.

Community group participants in the "greenspace is good so prove it" research programme (2009-2011) told us about the SROI process that "it gave us a sense of achivement and confidence in what we are doing. We've always felt we did a good job for the area - now we can prove it" and "it helps us to think through and plan what we need to do"