5th Innovation Challenge Network Meeting.cdr

Transcription

communitycatalysts
unlocking potential effecting change

Angela Catley & HelenTurner - Community Catalysts

Lucia Masundire - Arts & Creative Industries Officer, LCC

Winsome Ruddock - WB Community Arts

Raisa Turner - Adullam Homes

Paul Snape - Business Support Manager, The Bridge Housing

Rikke Digerud-Waring - Independent Artist

Jane Bunting & Jess Burdett - Lawrence House, Hinckley Homeless Group

Helen Tasker & Sinder Mahil - Leicestershire County Council Market Development Team

Maria Ward - EMHA

Jane Avery - Business Adviser, Co-operative and Social Enterprise Development

Jen Bickerton - Soft Touch Arts

Tracy Robinson & Cathy Buswell - STAR

Lisa, Tabby & Chantelle - Unique Mentor/Member of Gypsy & Traveller Community

Anne Frewin - Has now left East Midlands Housing

Sally Taylor - East Midlands Housing

Maureen Gould - NW Leicestershire District Council

Tracy Kynock- Adullam Homes

Tony Buck - Charnwood Senior Citizen’s Forum
Helen Turner welcomed everyone to this 5th Innovation Network Meeting.
Two case studies were presented to the Network members. The Unique Mentors, STAR and Soft
Touch talked about their bursary project. Paul Snape, from The Bridge, gave an update on their
project BEST (Bridge Engagement Support Team).
CASE STUDY 1:Unique Mentors with STAR & Soft Touch
Chantelle, Tabby and Lisa, along with Jen and Tracy gave a lively, informative and genuinely inspiring
presentation. They showcased their bursary project which is a service user led project involving the
Gypsy and Traveller community. They talked about how they came together for this project having
never previously met, forging a strong friendship and a dynamic team (fag packet to concept to
production).
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The women presented their
calendar design, identity strap
(lacy bra strap pouch) and
budget planner. They
described how they wanted to
design a useful item/s for
travelling people that would
directly benefit them. As many
Travellers do not read or write
they knew the product/s had to
be something that was visual
and user friendly. They
conceived the idea of a 2 year
calendar which reflected the
Gypsy/Traveller's life, a budget
planner incorporating picture
stickers depicting gas,
electricity, water etc. which
could be used to visually
remind people to pay their bills
and manage their money and a
bra strap pouch that is
designed to hold small
important items like paper or
money plus vital ID
information. The bra, as
explained to us, is the typical
place a travelling woman would
stash her valuables so it was
logical that a pouch to fit to the
strap would be a useful item.
This was of particular interest
to the group as they felt it was
unique and innovative and
could be patented and rolled
out to a wider audience such
as disabled people, students,
backpackers etc. Once they
had decided upon their ideas
they were then introduced to
Jen Bickerton of Soft Touch
who had a big impact on the
design of their products,
assisted in sourcing goods and
finding a suitably economical
and reliable printer, who in
turn, was hugely helpful and
informative.
Several examples of the
calendar, which depicted a'
vardo', a traditional caravan
and decoupaged with coloured
tissue paper, were passed
amongst the members to look
at. It is planned that it will come
in boxed kit form. It costs
about £4 to produce each
calendar and a run of 1000 will
be printed and sold for £6. It is
a non-profit enterprise and the
RRP will just cover production
costs with a little left over.
Lisa, Tabby and Chantelle
Meaden (of Dragons Den
fame). They had gained a lot of
self worth by being involved in
this project, expressing that it
was good for them and they
enjoyed getting out of the
house for up to 5 hours a
week. They enjoyed meeting
new people and gained a lot of
confidence. The experience
has changed their lives Tabby, who was unable to read
and write at the beginning of
the project is now able to do
both and wants to go to college
to do other subjects like maths
and English. She also has an
ambition to become a youth
worker. Chantelle and Lisa
discovered they enjoy art so
much that they now hope to go
to college next year to do an
interior design/soft furnishings
course which is being
sponsored by Soft Touch.
The network members were
extremely impressed with the
women and their ideas. They
gave advice on patenting the
bra strap pouch and talked
about Social Enterprise.
Helen Turner congratulated
and thanked the group for
sharing their products and
experiences with us. Helen
Tasker expressed delight at
the group's success and
their outcomes.
It was clear the team were very
enthusiastic and passionate
about their project and
obviously had a lot of fun doing
it. They were full of ideas and
intend to seek social enterprise
for funding and possibly
contact someone like Debra
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CASE STUDY 2: The Bridge
Paul Snape explained that The Bridge is an independent
organisation offering housing support, advice and mediation to
people at risk of homelessness across the County. Their project
has been around developing and embedding co-production within
the organisation.
Paul gave a talk about setting up BEST (Bridge Engagement
Support Team) and the successes and challenges involved with
this. Wotbox were brought in to partner the project and to provide
creative and fresh ideas around tenant engagement. Wotbox
usually works with children and young people and supports them to
have more effective and meaningful involvement in decision
making. They worked to get both staff and people receiving support
more involved in the Innovation Challenge project and to come up
with ideas about engagement. There have been various challenges
such as the time it can take to engage and bond with people who
use the service. Also there have been problems with getting the
staff to 'buy in' to the idea.
Wotbox also facilitated an Away Day with Trustees and staff looking
at how to take service user engagement forward. Trustees were 'on
board' and some of the more sceptical staff were challenged and
there was an increase in 'buy in'. The partnership with Wotbox has
enabled The Bridge to gain an independent view of how the
organisation can move forward from service user input into coproduction.
Paul talked about the benefits and draw backs of partnership
working. Despite the setbacks Paul feels that it hasn't held the
organisation back and the outcomes are starting to flourish with
some really good ideas being produced. These include
suggestions for a gardening project; service user input into a
Newsletter; holistic workshops; peer mentoring and media
workshops. In addition service users are assisting now with the
development of a web page on The Bridge website which is being
progressed by FB and TW. There has also been an increase in
skills and confidence amongst those engaged such as decision
making skills, developing relationships and working as a team.
A discussion took place around partnership working, culture and
expectations and in particular what happens when partnerships hit
problems. A Checklist for Partnership Working has now been
produced for Phase 2 and a Partnership Agreement could also
prove useful. Helen Turner felt that in spite of some set backs
there was very good work done and that they had moved forward.
The Innovation Network thanked both groups for their
excellent presentations.
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The Art of Reminiscing
exhibition on display in the
foyer at Snibston.
Before the refreshment break
Rikke Digerud an Independent
Artist talked about working with
residents in sheltered
accommodation as part of NW
Leicestershire's Innovation
Challenge project, The Art of
Reminiscing. This involved quilt
making and reminiscence
sessions. Rikke visited people in
their accommodation and brought
all the materials they needed with
her. A variety of patterned material
has been donated and old photos
had been gathered and were
incorporated into the quilts design.
She described how the residents,
using a template, cut the material
into squares and divided them into
relevant coloured groups before
sewing them together into strips.
For some of the residents this was
the first time they had ever used a
sewing machine and were so
excited by the experience that they
felt encouraged to do more. Other
group members had been
seamstresses in their past and
enjoyed the thrill of using a sewing
machine again. There were three
male residents who got involved
with the group by making and
serving tea and ironing the quilt
seams open. Eventually the
coloured strips were joined up to
create a wonderfully vibrant quilt
measuring 4 metres by 3 metres.
Approximately 45 residents
attended a launch at Snibston and
viewed the finished quilt. They
were impressed by what they saw
and felt very good being part of
something so creative. The
outcome was that they felt part of
Cont. from page 3
Collecting in case studies, photos, video
clips for evaluation report
Helen Turner, Project Co-ordinator is around until end of
a community; they had connected to
each other and made new friends
whilst old friendships were rekindled.
Network members then had an
opportunity to view the quilt.
February/early March 2013. She is gathering in case studies,
photos, quotes to include in the evaluation report and toolkit. The
evaluation report will have an emphasis on the projects and the
outcomes they have achieved. It will be colourful and have
quotes, pictures etc. She will let providers know in early January if
there is any additional information needed. Each project will have
written at least 3 case studies by then. (NB. Completed Case
Studies are now uploaded onto www.leics.gov.uk/innovation.
There has been a lot of interest in them already).
The Network looked at imaginative examples of how some
providers have recorded feedback about their projects.

Adullam asked people to make comments about the art
Rikke Digerud
exhibition 'The Man Inside' on florists cards.

NW Leicestershire asked everyone involved in the quilt making
sessions to write the 3 things they have enjoyed about taking
part. This provides excellent feedback - with people saying they
enjoyed the companionship as much as the sewing. Helen said
that she would like to incorporate into a design to look like a
quilt for the evaluation report.
Network members

A DVD and a book, by Katherine Brown Beauty and utility arts
www.beautyandutility.com entitled “I'm no good at art” was
produced for the St Mary's intergenerational arts project.
Action: All providers to gather in any information that they want including in the final report and send to
Helen.
Evaluating the impact of the projects & success of Phase 1
Helen referred to a questionnaire that she is intending to circulate in January 2013. Its aim is to evaluate
what the Innovation Challenge Programme has meant for you and your organisation.
It will look at key achievements including: learning from project; impact on the organisation plus any
legacy. The Network members looked at the proposed questionnaire and added in another question which
related to any challenges or barriers experienced. Helen thanked people for their comments and will
distribute after Christmas.
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Planning the final celebration event
Helen and Angela ran through the plans for
Community Catalysts will launch the Phase 1
the final celebration event for Phase 1
evaluation report at the event. Plus there is also the
opportunity for providers and partners to show case
When:
what they have produced via the innovation
Weds 27th February 2013 - Please save the
bursaries as there will be tables (a market place)
date
around the edge of the room. Helen will check
Where:
available space early in the New Year and ask who
Parkside Civic Offices, Melton Mowbray
would like a table. Angela plans to ask New
Time:
Possibilities to produce a graphic record of each
10.00 – 3.30 pm
project based on the presentation. Copies will then
Format:
be available for providers. Helen recommends
Each project gives short (max 20 minutes)
having up to five people involved in the projects.
talk/presentation
She doesn't want to limit it but will need to discuss it
Audience:
if it's more than five people.
Phase 1 providers, Phase 2 providers, LCC
Helen Tasker said that if current people intend to
Market Development team, speakers from
Launch Event (NEF, TLAP)
Your team:
Up to 5 people per project
carry on with further projects then they can share
what they've learnt with Phase 2 providers. The
Innovation Network meetings will continue and will
be supported by Sinder and Helen Tasker. Don't
stop because your project is ending.
Other news from members not in the presentations or heard today
Angela Catley reported on the
three events that were being
held by Community Catalysts
around the country - called
“Innovate, Stimulate,
Activate”. She thanked
Katherine Brown and Helen
Turner for stepping in at short
notice at the Sheffield event to
assist with presentations and
chairing the event.
Helen Tasker has been
gathering bids for the Phase 2
funding and has received 59.
This is a good result out of the
70 people that were seen and
spoken to in surgeries. Panel
meet this Friday for decision.
Sinder Mahil said Phase 1 has
been a good learning curve.
They will build on ideas and
think about what has been
learned from the previous
experience. They will
encourage groups to work with
the Council on ideas to get
funding. There is £200k
available for Phase 2.The view
was that the news about the
Innovation Challenge is getting
out there.
Jane Bunting of Lawrence
House, Hinckley Homeless
talked about their project which
is to co-produce a new
induction handbook with
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residents - information overload
with current induction so
handbook is similar to one you
would find in a hotel. In
production at the moment. Input
from clients - user friendly. HMP
Leeds printing came up with 8
different ideas of producing it.
Took best bits from the 8,
proofread and now being
produced. Got text, pictures
and is colour coded. There's a
profile of each staff member
which adds a personal touch
and helps break down barriers.
The printing is so cheap so
doing postcards aimed for
young people to use - got the
information to keep and use if
needed. Jane praised HMP
Leeds for their help and advice.
Using them created a
relationship with prisoners and
homeless - giving something
back.
Raisa of Adullam Homes
First project: The Man Inside
Art Exhibition - official opening
on Thursday 6th December
2012. Carmel George from
National Offender Management
Scheme opened the exhibition
which was attended by 200
members of the general public. A
catalogue had been produced
showcasing the works of art of
which £800 worth have now been
sold. Twenty-five percent of this
income went to the project whilst
seventy-five percent went to the
tenants. Leicester University
have taken some work by one of
the tenants. They now want to
set up a worker's co-operative
and Raisa is writing a business
plan, strategy and budget. Raisa
has already made a connection
now with Jane Avery
from Co-operative and Social
Enterprise development through
the Network.
Second project: “Breaking
down the barriers into the
private rented sector (PRS)” a project launch event is being
planned for January 2013.
HMP Leeds will also be printing
the report that the group are
producing. There will be a Q & A
session with key people
involved nationally and locally in
issues around ex offenders,
homelessness and private
rented sector.
Winsome Ruddock, artist, said
that being involved in the
Innovation Challenge
programme has been
absolutely fantastic and really
exciting. She has been the artist
involved in supporting the
Adullam residents in ‘The Man
Inside Art’ work. She plans to do
further work with them in the
New Year. She thanked
Community Catalysts, Adullam
Homes and Leicestershire
County Council for the
opportunity.
Lucia Masundire - In October
celebrated the contribution
participatory arts can make to
health and wellbeing via
Wellbeing Wednesdays. There
were some fantastic outcomes
with improved physical and
mental wellbeing for people.
There is a lead out event being
planned for 6th Feb 2013 at the
Atkins building in Hinckley.
For more information:
[email protected]
Jane Avery - Co-operative and
Social Enterprise
development (CASE). CASE
now have a contract to work in
Leicestershire as well as
Leicester City. They are a Cooperative and Social
Development Agency. Jane is
one of the Business Advisors.
Contact her for more information
about developing a social
enterprise on 0116 222 5010 or
on [email protected]
Angela Catley outlined the idea for the final blog series about the Innovation Challenge programme
which will be posted on the Community Catalysts website in January. The idea is that different people
with different dimensions/perceptions about being involved in the projects will write a short piece, 100 1000 words, about why they got involved, what did they gain etc. It is a good way of telling a wide
audience about the different projects and their outcomes. She needs this by 4th Jan if possible.
Helen/Angela are looking for volunteers to write a short piece. Helen will send out an email explaining in
more detail and asking for people to assist.
Helen Turner finished up and thanked the group - lots of achievements and hard work.
Angela commented that a lot has been achieved for not a lot of money. The Network thanked Helen
Turner for her assistance.
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Next Meeting:
The next meeting will be the
Celebration Event on Weds 27th
February at Parkside Civic
Offices, Melton Mowbray, from
10.00 - 3.30pm
...........................................................
Network members:
Winsome Ruddock,
Rikke Digerud, Sinder Mahill,
Helen Turner, Jane Bunting,
Helen Tasker
Notes by Lisa Giovine, Business
Support, Leicestershire County Council
communitycatalysts
www.communitycatalysts.co.uk
unlocking potential effecting change
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