5th Innovation Challenge Network Meeting.cdr
Transcription
5th Innovation Challenge Network Meeting.cdr
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). 1 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 2 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. 3 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. 4 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 5 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: lucia.masundire@leics.gov.uk 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 j.avery@case-da.co.uk 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. 6 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 7
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