Resolve Social Benefit Bond (SBB)
Impact area: Health
Region of impact: Australia
Type of investment: Social Impact Bond
SDG alignment: 3, 10
Social Ventures Australia’s (SVA) Resolve Social Benefit Bond (Resolve SBB) was Australia’s first mental health-focused social impact bond. It provided an innovative approach to funding important social support programs with NSW Health paying returns-based outcomes and associated cost savings.
QBE’s investment in this bond matured on 31 March 2025.
The Resolve program
The Resolve program, funded by the Resolve SBB, is a recovery-orientated support program aimed at improving the wellbeing of people experiencing severe, persistent mental health issues.
The program was designed to address a gap in the community mental health system by offering a flexible and integrated mix of residential stays, outreach support and a warm-line service through a peer worker led model.
At the heart of the program were the Resolve centres, residential homes designed to help participants live well in the community and provide respite, whilst acting as a central hub for services.
The program was delivered by Flourish Australia in partnership with the Western NSW and Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health Districts.
Over nearly eight years, the program supported 469 people who had spent significant time as a mental health hospital inpatient prior to their enrolment. Over half of participants were diagnosed with schizophrenia or another type of psychosis, with each participant spending almost 90 days in hospital on average in the year prior to their enrolment.
Participants in the Revolve program used almost two-thirds less health services compared to the year prior to their enrolment, reducing the overall time spent in hospital, as well as the number of emissions and presentations to emergency departments.
Participants, staff and clinicians identified the support model’s flexibility and peer-worker led model – helping to reduce stigma for participants and build trust with staff, making it easier for participants to engage in their recovery – as key strengths of the program.
Impact snapshot:
- 469 people supported
- 66% reduction in time spent in hospital
- 54% reduction in hospital admissions
- 36% reduction in emergency department presentations
- 26% reduction in length of stays in hospital1]
Case Study: Kim's Story:
Kim often feels overwhelmed in group settings, making them reluctant to accept invitations for social activities with other people. Over time, with regular outreach and encouragement from Resolve peer workers, Kim built confidence in social situations and gradually began engaging more with their local community. The consistent support from Resolve allowed them to take small but meaningful steps toward overcoming their social anxiety.
After almost two years in the Resolve program, Kim accepted an invitation to their first Resolve group activity, which happened to be a Christmas lunch. Attending this event was a significant milestone as Kim had previously avoided social gatherings. During the lunch, Kim expressed gratitude for the warm and inclusive environment and shared that they truly enjoyed meeting new people. This experience has strengthened their sense of belonging and increased their willingness to participate in future social opportunities.