Innovation-Challenge-Programme-Evaluation

Transcription

Innovation Challenge Programme
Evaluation Report
Leicestershire County Council
in partnership with Community Catalysts
December 2011 to December 2012
communitycatalysts®
unlocking potential effecting change
1. Introduction
Sandy McMillan, Assistant Director Strategy
and Commissioning, Leicestershire County Council
Our vision in creating the Innovation Programme for Leicestershire was to build on the Social
Care transformation agenda and create new ways of enabling users of housing related
support services to have more influence and control over the support services they use.
While the bursary scheme formed a core element of the programme, we were keen that
mutual support and learning would also feature heavily in order to achieve a lasting impact.
We have been delighted to work with Community Catalysts and our housing related support
providers to achieve our aspirations for this programme and the innovation, learning and
support tools highlighted in this report are testament to what can be achieved with a relatively
small amount of funding and a lot of enthusiasm.
To build on the success of Phase 1 of the Innovation Programme, we have now launched a
Phase 2 bursary scheme and will be working with 13 organisations over the next 12 months
to explore new ways of delivering early intervention and prevention approaches that have
potential to deliver both efficiencies for health and social care services and better outcomes
for our customers.
2. Innovation Challenge Programme - the background
When Leicestershire County Council launched the Innovation Challenge Programme back
in January 2012 they were hoping to stimulate new ways of working in response to 'Think
Local Act Personal'. They wanted to encourage:
User led projects - People in services supported to lead their own projects with the help of
an 'Innovation Challenge' bursary.
Personalised services - Housing related support services become more personalised,
according to the needs and wishes of the people who use them.
Community participation - New ways of providing support to help people become more
active and contributing members of supportive communities.
Provider organisations had shown they were committed to changing the way they worked
and increasing choices for citizens but were concerned about taking a step into the unknown
without help or support.
The Innovation Challenge Programme provided just that incentive. With bursaries and
direct support available, providers met the challenge with enthusiasm, energy and drive.
Nothing had quite prepared any of those involved for the success of the programme nor for
the wealth of positive outcomes that would emerge. This report is intended as both a
celebration and an evaluation of the Innovation Challenge Programme. It is hoped it will
inspire other Local Authorities and providers to do something similar.
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3. Innovation Challenge application process
The funding for the Innovation Challenge Programme came from
Supporting People monies and the programme was open only to
those providers with existing contracts for housing related support. In
particular, housing providers supporting older people and those at
risk of homelessness were prioritised as these groups had been
identified as a priority in the Leicestershire Housing Related Support
Strategy.
The Council made a total of £70,000 available with individual
providers able to bid for a maximum of £10,000 per innovative project.
The Council also commissioned an external provider, Community
Catalysts CIC, to manage the programme and to work with members
of the Adults and Communities Market Development Team to support
the providers to hone their ideas, bid for a bursary and manage their
projects. Providers were made aware of the opportunity through local
networks and forums and social media, in particular twitter, was used
to try to reach a wider audience.
4. The pre-bursary process - launch
event and support
4.1 Launch event
An event called “Empowering People: Unlocking Innovation” was
held in January 2012 to launch the Innovation Challenge Programme
and over 60 people attended. The event involved supported housing
providers, local groups and micro providers with an interest in more
innovative and creative ways of delivering support. The aims of event
were for people to:

Hear about the progress of personalisation locally and nationally

Explore new ways of working that are more personalised and co-
productive

Learn more about the Innovation Challenge Programme

Participate in workshops and networking opportunities
“But, it was the afternoon
session of the Launch event
when we got a real sense that
this was going to be something
special. People started to get
enthusiastic about the
challenge and the speed
networking session got different
people mixing and swopping
ideas and contacts. By the end
of the event we knew there
were already some great ideas
in the pipeline.”
Helen Turner, Programme Coordinator, Community
Catalysts

Share innovative ideas
A range of speakers including Martin Routledge from Think Local Act
Personal, Joe Penny from New Economics Foundation and Angela
Catley from Community Catalysts provided some excellent examples
from around the country of how people and providers were changing
the way they did things: www.leics.gov.uk/innovation
Speed networking session
“Great approach to innovation and speed networking - fledgling
partnerships forming before one's eyes. A good event and a good
idea.”
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4.2 Surgery support
At the launch event providers were offered the opportunity to attend a
support surgery session. Two full day surgery sessions were held in
the north and south of the county. Community Catalysts provided a
sounding board for the innovative idea while Leicestershire's Market
Development team talked through the bursary process and
application form. We developed an Ideas Form and Surgery Support
“We have been very impressed with
the level of support and guidance
offered by the team and congratulate
you all on delivering such a creative
and inspiring programme”
“We received good guidance on
Guidance Notes.
what we needed to achieve as well
5. The award process
as how we needed to go about it and
how to show evidence. If there was
Providers who decided they wanted to take forward a project
a negative it would have be around
completed a Bursary Application Form which asked them to outline
the short timescales as we did not
their innovative idea and demonstrate how it would create change
have the opportunity to have our
and enable people to become more empowered. A small bursary
bursary application reviewed prior to
Panel, including service user representation, met to evaluate the
submitting it.”
applications. An evaluation system was designed to ensure the
process was fair and equitable.
Provider's comments on the prebursary process
Given the short time scale between the launch event and the closing
date we were delighted to receive 11 applications which were
assessed by the Panel.
Eight applications were successful with one provider having two bids
accepted. Bursaries requested ranged from £4,000 up to the
maximum £10,000. A Bursary Agreement was put in place and as part
of this successful applicants were asked to produce a Change Plan,
brief project description and details of the anticipated outcomes from
each project.
TOP TIPS FOR GETTING GOOD QUALITY BIDS
(taken from participant feedback)
n
Hold workshops or an event to let people know about the programme. Use existing
forums and networks to spread the word
n
Publicising via social media can add an extra dimension and lead to some new and
interesting contacts
n
Invest in surgery support time: it is time well spent and leads to a better range of bids
n
Encourage partnerships: speed networking can help more traditional providers connect
with community partners, big and small. Partnerships can also build capacity for the
larger provider.
n
Make sure the provider has got ' buy in' from within their organisation and that their idea
is realistic and achievable within the size of the organisation and timescales
n
Offer a read and review service for draft bids. This needs to be kept separate from the
Bursary Panel process.
n
Be encouraging: It can be daunting and will require a lot of work, but the results will be
worth it!
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6. The successful bids
Provider
Bursary
amount
Innovative project idea
Hinckley
Homeless Group
£4,000
Co-produced induction: Service is a medium stay supported
accommodation project for single homeless young people aged 16
years to 25 years. Co-production of an induction handbook and
process for people moving into the service for the first time. Young
people will design and develop the handbook and contents and coproduction will be developed more generally within the organisation.
North West
Leicestershire
District Council
£10,000
The Art of Reminiscing Project: involves older people who live in
sheltered housing in sewing a quilt and wall hanging based on old
photos and memories of North West Leicestershire. Development of
partnerships with local culture, community and well being services.
Working in partnership with a community artist.
East Midlands
Housing
Association
£6,340
St Mary's House: Intergenerational reminiscence, arts and health
promotion pilot with people who are older and frail and who live in an
extra care housing scheme. Builds links with local school and library.
Increases community engagement and aims to further develop
personalisation within services.
Adullam Homes
Housing
Association
£9,986
Breaking down the barriers into the private rented sector:
Project challenging stereotypes around ex offenders seen in the
private landlord sector. Co-production of solutions and increased
service user skills and opportunities developed. Working with a social
enterprise for skills training and development of social media.
Development of website to improve access to information and
advice.
Adullam Homes
Housing
Association
£9,776
My Living Voice: Project which aims to highlight the lived
experience of the judicial system by ex- offenders. Aims to use arts
workshops, materials and art work to raise awareness of issues and
barriers faced with resettlement. Development of peer support and
peer mentoring by ex-offenders. Working with community artists to
develop a public exhibition of art work.
The Bridge
£10,000
BEST (Bridge Engagement Support Team): User led project to
increase co-production within organisation supporting homeless
adults and young people. Project plans to consider how to change
and shift ideas with trustees and staff, how to motivate and
incentivise people who use services to get involved. Partnership with
local group over co-production work.
STAR
£9,938
Unique Project: Co-production work with members of Gypsy and
Traveller community to develop a training programme and housing
support toolkit. Development of peer mentors. Strong partnerships
break down stereotypes and develop new ways of working. Working
with local organisation Soft Touch Arts.
£8,380
Supported Lodgings Summer Activities: Development of a summer
scheme of positive activities for young people aged 16 - 25 years in
supported lodgings which has strong co-production basis. Develops
peer volunteers and community participation and engagement.
Leicester City
Council
Stonham Housing
Stonham withdrew from the programme after three months due to
capacity issues and repaid the bursary. Their project has been put on
the “back burner” for the time being.
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7. Project support from Community Catalysts
Community Catalysts were commissioned by Leicestershire County
Council to manage and support the Innovation Challenge
Programme. A Programme Co-ordinator, Helen Turner, was
appointed (18.5 hours per week) to manage the programme and
provide the one to one support to the projects. Angela Catley, Director
of Operations Community Catalysts provided additional support to
the programme and co-facilitated the Innovation Network. The
Programme Co-ordinator worked closely with Sinder Mahil and Helen
Tasker from the County Council Adults and Communities Market
Development Team.
7.1 The Steering Group
A Steering Group was set up chaired by the Chair of the Housing
Related Support Forum in Leicestershire, with other members
“We can be quite proud that we
coming from Charnwood District Neighbourhood Housing, Voluntary
have delivered. Big ticket stuff
Action Leicestershire and Leicestershire County Council's Market
does not always deliver but this
Development Team; Arts and Communities and Libraries. This
group has helped a significant
combination of both voluntary sector and housing staff alongside
number of vulnerable people.
council staff provided an excellent balance of skills, knowledge and
Thanks should also go to LCC
experience.
for having the vision to make a
business case.”
The Programme Co-ordinator developed and worked to an overall
Project Plan and reported to the bi monthly Steering Group meetings
via a Highlight Report. This identified risks issues and challenges
Peter Davey, Chair of the
Innovation Challenge
Steering Group
along with details of provider progress and achievements. The
Steering Group were able to resolve the following challenge identified
by the Programme Co-ordinator:
PRACTICE EXAMPLE
Challenge:
Leicestershire County Council (LCC) web page for the Innovation Challenge Programme is proving
limiting and quite restrictive in what information it will display and in what format.
Solution:
Meeting held on 8th June with member of LCC Information and Data team key Steering Group members.
Discussed what we want to achieve with LCC Innovation Challenge web pages - photos, video clips,
quotes and descriptions of each project with links to provider websites. Agreed all possible and we will
work together to achieve this.
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7.2 One to one support to providers
The Programme Co-ordinator met individually with the provider
project leads every six to eight weeks to offer advice, resources,
connections and encouragement.
“The support, guidance and
vision has been seamless and
the knowledge of Helen has
been valued as well as her
ability to always be there for
“There were times when all the projects hit barriers, had other
major deadlines to meet, had staff off sick, or on holiday, had
you”.
Raisa Turner, Adullam Homes
arranged sessions with people in services to find only 1 person had
turned up! There were definitely highs and lows”.
Helen Turner, Programme Co-ordinator, Community Catalysts
“Helen was very supportive at
all times and encouraging. She
was always available for advice
and suggestions. She was
enthusiastic and a pleasure to
8. Partnerships
The forming of partnerships to deliver the Innovation Challenge
work with”.
Jane Bunting, Hinckley
Homeless
Programme were positively encouraged. A number of partnerships
were formed between supported housing providers and small local
businesses specialising in co-production, arts and design and media.
Some of the partnerships were formed during the Launch Event
speed networking and others were sourced as part of the planning
and application process.

The Bridge partnered with www.wotboxcons.blogspot.co.uk

Adullam partnered with www.beautyandutilityarts.com and
www.wb-arts.co.uk to deliver the “My Living Voice” arts project

East Midlands Housing Association also partnered with
www.beautyandutilityarts.com and www.wb-arts.co.uk

North West Leicestershire partnered with visual artist Rikke
Digerud and DVM Films. For more information contact:
rikke.digerud@hotmail.com and www.dvmfilms.co.uk

STAR partnered with Soft Touch arts www.soft-touch.org.uk

Hinckley Homeless partnered with the Print Shop at HM Prison
Leeds over the design of their handbook. For more information
contact: printshophmpleeds@hmps.gsi.gov.uk
“It was a good opportunity as an
independent artist to run a scheme
involving a vulnerable group of
people and realising all the different
aspects of project managing in order
to get a good result. This in turn will
give me confidence to apply for
similar larger projects in the future.”
Rikke Digerud, Visual Artist
“Links with micro-providers
(Katherine and Winsome) has been
very positive.”
Sally Taylor, Regional Manager
East Midlands Housing
For the housing provider working in partnership gave them some
much needed capacity and another pair of hands together with
energy, fresh ideas and specialist skills. For small businesses it gave
them a chance to work with a bigger provider, be part of the network
and gave them contacts with a wider market.
However not all partnerships ran a straight course and there were
some issues for partners to resolve. Some of this was done with the
support of the Programme Co-ordinator as mediator and network
meetings were used to check out issues in a safe environment.
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“Being involved in the Innovation
Challenge Programme has been
absolutely fantastic and really
exciting.”
Winsome Ruddock, Community
Artist
TOP TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIPS
n
Make sure that roles and responsibilities are clearly defined for each team member and
organisation taking part in a project
n
Consider a Partnership Checklist
n
Be clear about additional tasks e.g. attendance at meetings and supplying monitoring
information. Small businesses may need to factor in additional costs
n
Have a Partnership Agreement or contract with all involved - only needs to be basic
n
Hold regular update meetings - communicate
n
Be clear about ownership of project information
9. Indentifying outcomes
and measuring progress
At the outset providers were asked to identify their anticipated project
outcomes and outputs. The Programme Co-ordinator assisted and
providers were encouraged to use “Making it Real: marking progress
towards personalised community based support” (TLAP) as a
framework. www.thinklocalactpersonal.org.uk. Markers around
information and advice; active and supportive communities and
flexible integrated care and support were found to be very relevant to
the projects.
To help providers measure and monitor the range of outcomes,
Community Catalysts also provided a range of tools and resources
including different feedback forms for use in co-production sessions,
such as:

Base line assessments: Most of the projects identified at least
one “soft “outcome which involved increased well being through
involvement in the project. It was suggested that providers use
either the “World Health Organisation (WHO)-5 questions
measuring well being” or the “WEMWBS measuring well being
scale” to benchmark progress against these outcomes at the
start, middle and finish of the projects.

Photographic recording

Observations in sessions

Feedback questionnaires

Recording quotes and interviewing participants

Learning diaries and case studies

Final evaluation of project against outcomes
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PRACTICE EXAMPLE
NW Leicestershire asked residents to complete a simple questionnaire at the end of each quilt making
session which asked them what three things they have enjoyed the most. The results from this helped
them to measure two of their outcomes:

Greater participation and social interaction between staff and service users

Reduction in social isolation for housebound elderly in community flats
Community Catalysts also asked providers to complete learning
diaries. These asked projects to record:

What activities have I done this week for the project?

How have people who use services been involved?

What has been the most significant thing that has happened
this week?

Which outcomes can the activities be matched against?

Any problems or barriers?
They helped record the work providers were doing on their project,
captured quotes and helped track activities against anticipated
outcomes. The learning diaries also helped the Programme Coordinator highlight interesting activities, developments or
achievements which were then turned into more detailed case
studies. By the end of the programme each provider had completed at
least three case studies.
The case studies have in turn been used by providers,
commissioners and Community Catalsysts to publicise and promote
the Innovation Challenge Programme more widely (at events, in
newsletters and within their own organisations).
www.leics.gov.uk/innovation
FINAL EVALUATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
Providers also completed an
evaluation questionnaire at the
end of the programme
identifying their key
achievements, lessons learnt
and legacy. It asked:

What three key
achievements can you
identify from the
Programme?

What will you or your
organisation do differently
as a result of being
involved in the Innovation
Challenge Programme?

What barriers or
challenges have you faced
in delivering your project?

What outcomes has the
Programme created for the
people you support?
Network members:
Winsome Ruddock,
Rikke Digerud, Sinder Mahill,
Helen Turner, Jane Bunting,
Helen Tasker
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What do you see as being
the legacy from the
project for you and your
organisation?
10. Communitcation
Leicestershire were keen to use the Innovation Challenge
Programme to “raise the profile of co-design and co-production
projects locally, regionally and nationally and to deliver
engaging ways to promote/showcase the outcomes achieved
through a variety of media (e.g. video, pictures, events
publications).”
Providers were encouraged right from the start to capture the
essence of co-production sessions with photos, quotes, and video or
voice recordings. We discussed the importance of gaining consent
and using consent forms from the outset.
We communicated the Innovation Challenge Programme activity and
outcomes in the following ways:

Social media, twitter and blogs. At the start of the programme
Community Catalysts ran a series of tweets about the projects
and the programme which generated national interest. More
recently Community Catalysts has managed a month long blog
series to publish the stories of many of the people who have
been involved in the programme. www.communitycatalysts.co.uk
This also helped to widen the profile and made new connections
for Leicestershire. It is fair to say that with the exception of one
or two people involved with the projects - this was a brave new
world of social media!

Beautyandutilityarts.com ran a blog series about the St Mary's
Project and Katherine Brown produced a DVD and a booklet
called 'I'm no good at Art' in which the school children and older
people talked about the project.
http://beautyandutilityarts.com/2012/08/18/guest-blog/

Showcasing the Innovation Challenge Programme at national
and regional conferences, such as Centre for Housing and
Support Conference Leeds, March 2012; “Innovate, Activate,
Stimulate” - Community Catalysts - Sheffield November 2012.

The Programme Co-ordinator wrote articles in newsletters such
as Leicestershire County Council's staff e-newsletter and
Community Catalysts newsletters.
http://www.communitycatalysts.co.uk/newsletters-2/Issues 6and7

Adullam Arts Project produced an exhibition catalogue and a
DVD with voice recordings. They also developed a service user
web page on their main webpage. Raisa Turner wrote a press
release about both of their projects.
http://www.adullam.org.uk/news.html
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STAR Unique project used 'Big Brother' style video recordings
and photos which were then uploaded onto Soft Touch website
using Tumblir. www.soft-touch.org.uk
“It's been a great project to
work on, both in the homes and
yesterday at Snibston. The

NW Leicestershire employed a local small business to film and
interview residents during the quilt making sessions. Trevor
from DVM films soon became more than just the camera man
and was a great help on the day of the quilt exhibition.
www.dvmfilms.co.uk
buzz as the residents first
looked around the exhibition
yesterday was amazing and
hopefully their enjoyment of this
project will encourage more
socialising and activities in the
future”.
Trevor at DVM Films
TOP TIPS ON COMMUNICATING YOUR INNOVATIVE WORK
n
Use consent forms and explain how and where any photos or quotes may be used.
n
Think about different ways to communicate innovative work (newsletters, articles on
provider web pages, external publicity).
n
Talk to your information and communication technology people and get them involved.
n
Promote innovation within your own organisation.
n
Partner up with a local business that may be more up to speed on technology and social
media.
11. Innovation Challenge Network
Leicestershire County Council were also keen to see the
development of an Innovation Challenge Network which would be a
‘platform for providers to share and develop new ideas for
changing and improving their services, share successes, learn
lessons and support each other'. Community Catalysts set up and
facilitated the Innovation Challenge Network meetings.
Innovation Challenge Network aims

Provide ongoing support to each other

Gain support and advice from Community Catalysts

Share learning and resources

Pass on information about events, training, good practice

Find out what's worked well, what's not worked well, what has got in the way.

Be a safe space to explore issues and test out new ways of working

Develop resources and experiences to pass on to wider housing and social care sector

Inspire each other!
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The network met every two months for three hours. It ensured that
“I found the Innovation Network
project leads and stakeholders had a supportive forum in which to
meetings very useful in terms of
discuss challenges and successes. It also enabled people to be
sharing experiences and more
signposted to other resources and contacts.
importantly lessons learnt from
As well as the housing providers and their partners we invited some
other key people to join the network. Lucia Masundire from Creative
Leicestershire and Jane Avery from Co-operative and Social
Enterprise Development provided invaluable advice. Kelisha
Phillips from Voluntary Action Leicestershire provided a bespoke
workshop on “Developing the volunteer role: Building Capacity.”
other projects. The feedback
from other organisation's
regarding our difficulties was
encouraging to hear and
demonstrates that most
organisations are aware that this
work can be challenging from
Tony Buck, chair of Mount Sorrel Community Action Group,
both a client and agency
Leicestershire and resident himself in sheltered housing was invited
perspective”.
to join the network meetings as a critical friend. He was especially
Paul Snape, The Bridge
interested in the two older person's projects and visited them both to
see co-production in action.
“The opportunity to share
experiences and ideas have
We interviewed Tony for an article in the December 2012 Community
been invaluable, and (the
Catalysts newsletter http://www.communitycatalysts.co.uk/wp-
network) has been a great
content/uploads/2011/06/Newsletter-Jan-2013-final.pdf and asked
platform to network with other
him what he saw as being some of the benefits of the Innovation
organisations”.
Challenge Programme - particularly for the older person's projects.
Clive Taylor, NW Leicestershire
Community Catalysts produced minutes from network meetings
“There have been some
fantastic benefits. This
programme has shown that
people in supported housing
services really do matter”.
which were colourful and engaging. These were useful for both
providers and commissioners to circulate more widely within their
organisations to promote their activities. www.leics.gov.uk/innovation
At each meeting two providers gave a short presentation about their
Tony Buck
project and network members were able to offer suggestions or
contacts.
“They (network meetings) have
PRACTICE EXAMPLE
At one meeting Hinckley Homeless asked for suggestions about
design and print companies who would help them produce their
handbook in an accessible way and at a competitive price!
Adullam Homes suggested that they contact HM Prison Leeds
who run a small design and print business. This proved to be an
excellent contact and HM Prison Leeds Print Shop produced
several prototypes in a colourful and accessible format which
were very suitable for the audience (and within budget).
been very supportive,
encouraging and informative.
They have given good ideas,
new ways of working, enabled
the creation of new partnerships,
given ideas for creative and
innovative ways of working”.
Jane Bunting, Hinckley
Homeless
For more information contact:
printshophmpleeds@hmps.gsi.gov.uk
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Topics discussed in the network meetings included:
Ways of capturing the learning and measuring the success of your

project.
Delivering therapeutic arts and mixed media sessions.

Use of social media.

Social Enterprise development.

Developing the volunteering role and building capacity.

We discussed ways of getting co-production off the ground during the
second Innovation Challenge Network meeting when several
providers were struggling to know how to get people involved and
interested.
Top tips for getting co-production off the ground
n
Young people services: plan your sessions in advance; choose your moment when
people are in or around; may have to be ad hoc - can't always plan with young people;
keep it very informal; offer snacks !
n
Older persons services: - make use of existing times when people come together; having
outside visitors to help, especially the school children, was a big plus. Have a range of
ways people can be involved to reflect differing physical abilities.
n
Dispersed/outreach services: getting people together when the service is dispersed can
be a problem. Assist with transport costs. Venue can be important too - it must help
people feel relaxed and not too official. Consider using or developing social media
(Facebook, BBM and twitter) to communicate and be interactive.
n
Provide incentives such as: certificates where people have helped with certain tasks or
have done training; snacks and refreshments; help with transport if that is going to be a
barrier; new experiences; vouchers (suggestions include £5 food or Boots vouchers) for
completing a survey where you want feedback.
12. The projects in detail
12.1 Adullam Homes Housing Association: 'My Living
Voice’
Project description: A service user led project which will deliver a
visual and creative record of experiences depicting life before, during
and after a period in custody, and produce an exhibition to reflect this
in order to raise awareness of the experiences of ex-offenders in
Leicestershire.
Who was involved: Andy, David, Jason, Eddie, John W, John, Peter,
Ross, and Trevor , Raisa Turner, Tracy Kynock, Viv Michell and
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Alison MaColl, from Adullam in partnership with Winsome Ruddock
and Katherine Brown. Plus creative writers Sue Mackrell and David
McCormick.
What they did
Visit to Rampton Hospital
At the start of the project Raisa, Viv and Winsome were invited to visit
art work completed by patients on a secure ward at Rampton
Hospital. This visit then formed a case study.
“Purpose of visit was to view the art work made by the clients at Peaks Unit, Rampton and to speak with the
Rampton staff who were part of the programme and learn some good practice when developing this type of
programme for Adullam. Also to develop a significant link between Rampton Hospital and ourselves as we are
commencing a similar programme in therapeutic art. This journey will lead to us delivering an art exhibition
similar to Rampton, but we will not have the funding to deliver the glossy books they have been able to produce
unless we obtain extra funding.”
Raisa Turner, Adullam
The art sessions
The Art Group met between April and December 2012 every two
weeks at a local arts and community centre where Beauty and Utility
Arts was based and where they had access to a studio plus a large
room. A member of staff from Adullam attended for the whole session.
Some of the men had previously done art or design work, but for some
it was the first time.
“Prior to prison I had little if no experience of art in the practical sense, and never really contemplated that it
would form such a major part of my life. I have received no professional guidance and am completely self taught.
I only wish that I had found art earlier in my life. The feeling of tranquillity that I experience when absorbed in this
form of expression is to me unique it's as though I have been granted a new sense of life. I am constantly learning
and very much at the commencement of my journey. Through the “My Living Voice” art group I have been able to
expand my comfort zone and have been able to push my boundaries into new materials, methods and
disciplines. I have so many new avenues to explore.”
A - member of the Art Group
Outcome: Increased confidence and well being in participants. Increased skills development in participants.
“The project has given me a focus - something to achieve and helped me get back into something I haven't done
for a while. It has given me a chance to look back at my life and get things in perspective. Also it ties in with the
fact that I am going into rehab quite soon. I do have a chance to change things and this project has helped me to
see that. It has given a focus and purpose back into my life.”
J - member of the Art Group
Outcome: Reduced likelihood of misuse of substances/deterioration of health/mental wellbeing.
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The Exhibition
An exhibition of the work produced by the Art Group took place in
December 2012 at St Nicholas Church in Leicester. The poster for the
exhibition and its title, “The Man Inside”, were ideas and designs from
group members. Over 200 people came to the exhibition.
The art work is for sale with profits partly going to the artists and partly
to fund a continuation of the art beyond the Innovation Challenge
Programme, possibly via the setting up of a co-operative. A number of
exhibits have been chosen to go on display at New Walk Art Gallery,
Leicester.
Outcomes: Public awareness raised of personal experiences of
judicial system and barriers to resettlement of ex-offenders via a
number of open events.
None of the participants re-offended.
“My Living Voice gave residents the opportunity to channel their feelings and thoughts, of their experiences of
the Criminal Justice System, into paintings, sculptures, installations and scripts. It has also given them the
opportunity to develop their confidence and attain new skills. The supportive environment within which the
programme was delivered allowed residents to not only be within a learning environment but also to build
positive peer relations. “
Viv Michell, Regional Manager Adullam
“A truly energising and rewarding project to have worked on...”
Winsome Ruddock, Artist
Outcome: Long term sustainability of reminiscence work with ex-offenders scoped and funding bids applied for.
Legacy: Development of an arts co-operative. Bid to Arts Council for funding to continue the work.
12.2 Adullam Breaking down the barriers into the
private rented sector (PRS)
Project description: This 'user led' action research project
challenges stereotypes between people with experience of
homelessness and the private landlord sector. The project seeks to
explore potential landlords' perceptions and attitudes around exoffenders and examine the barriers that prevent individuals from
accessing affordable, secure accommodation in Leicestershire. The
project aims to identify better ways of working, which when
implemented will lead to a higher success rate of re-housing for ex-
16
offenders. Leading to increased service user skills and opportunities
plus development of a webpage to improve access to information and
advice. There will be a final report making recommendations locally
and nationally.
Core question: “Are there inequalities and inconsistencies in the provision of services for recipients of housing
benefit in the private rented sector?”
Who took part: Gary, Trevor and Peter, with Raisa and Tracy from
Adullam
What they did:

Designed a survey to be sent out to letting agents testing out
attitudes to housing benefit claimants

Conducted telephone surveys of letting agents attitudes to people
on housing benefit

Undertook mystery shopping visits to letting agents
A sample of ten letting agents were selected at random with one person presenting in business attire and
the other modestly dressed. Our aim was to see what reaction we would receive from letting agents when
asked for lettings and Housing Benefit. The experience concluded that all the letting agents treated each
person according to their state of dress and the person who was modestly dressed received less
information. With all the letting agents offering properties to those in receipt of HB (Housing Benefit) a
guarantor was required.

Took part in CLG Consultation on Homelessness (2012) Impact
Assessment

Wrote a report with key recommendations which was presented
to an invited audience including CRISIS lead on PRS and
Housing Development, Leicestershire Probation Trust
and
members of Leicestershire County Council and District Housing
Departments.
Peter's story
Peter described the origins to this user led project. As a homeless person in the Melton area he would visit the
Estate Agents frequently to ask about any accommodation in the private rented sector. He was always told there
was nothing available. He got in touch with Raisa from Adullam who runs the Rent Deposit Guarantee Scheme
and together they visited the same Estate Agents. This time it was different, the Estate Agents opened their
books and showed what properties are available. Within a few weeks he was in a flat. He described how shocked
he was that this had been available all the time.
During the project Gary was successful in finding employment; Trevor
and Peter both completed an NVQ in Customer Care alongside being
involved in the project.
Outcome: Increase in skills and employability in service users.
17
“Both Peter and Trevor commented that the project is increasing their confidence in many ways. Peter said that
before December 2012 his confidence was very low but he is now doing presentations to Head of Housing!
Trevor commented that his confidence is not where it used to be but it is improving gradually. He wants to start
interviewing lettings agents on his own soon. They have also attended co-production events with Raisa”.
Helen Turner, Programme Coordinator
Outcomes: Improved health and well being due to increase in confidence and social inclusion.
None of the participants reoffended.
Potential for an ongoing social enterprise scoped Increase in availability choice and security of tenure for exoffenders when accessing housing.
Legacy: Adullam are considering setting up a social lettings agency as this has been an identified gap.
12.3 The Bridge
Project description: Project to increase co-production and develop
user led initiatives within an organisation offering support to people at
risk of homelessness. Partnership with local group Wotbox
www.wotboxcons.blogspot.co.uk over co-production work will lead
to new ideas and initiatives from users, staff and trustees.
Development of Bridge Engagement Support Team (BEST)
Who was involved: Paul Snape, The Bridge; Wotbox; staff and 19
people receiving support from The Bridge; Trustees.
What they did: Wotbox contacted 19 service users from across all
the services operated by The Bridge across the whole of
Leicestershire and Rutland and spoke to them all about the project
and new opportunities and activities that will be taking place for
service users to get involved in. 12 service users confirmed their
interest in attending a meeting as well as providing a list of activities
they would like to see offered for service users.
(on left) with network
members
'I think that BEST (Bridge Engagement Support Team) will prove to people like me that they are valued and a
important part of the development of services, it's a fantastic way of sharing experiences with others and making
them become aware that they are not the only one going through that experience - I am looking forward to
helping others by helping myself .’
RM, service user with the Bridge
Drop in sessions and informal meetings were held with Wotbox
during July and August which generated a list of ideas: these included
gardening and holistic workshops and the possibility of starting a
Green Fingers project at The Bridge. Workshops around drugs
awareness and peer mentoring especially for parents. Media
workshops and support to produce articles, images, interviews and
other content for newsletter.
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“Being able to get involved in a gardening project at The Bridge would really be good, I would get a lot from it and I
am sure others would gain the benefits, I would really like to start to get a little group off the ground.”
KS, Service User
Outcomes: Service user led activities and projects develop Identify, develop and strengthen partnership
working around co-production with others.
A newsletter edited and produced by service users.
In September 2012 The Bridge Service User Engagement Away Day
was held. Trustees, staff from the different housing homelessness
support services and service users came along. They wanted to get
'buy in' for greater service user engagement and a move to a more
co-productive way of working - recognising that people who use
services and staff have many skills and assets. The day was
facilitated by www.wotboxcons.blogspot.co.uk
Each of the different service areas were asked to look at innovative
ways of developing service user engagement and co-production
within their individual services. They were asked to come up with a
mini project, event or activity. Each service was given a budget of
£200.
“We would like to develop service user engagement around The Bridge website. Due to the nature of our service
and the difficulty of getting clients together in a group, we feel that an area our service could support would be the
website. We would use the budget to offer four service users the chance to become Service User Consultants,
offering each person £50 worth of vouchers for the support and expertise in developing the website. This would
enable us to look at what type of website and interactions would work best for our service users and enable them
to research and look at other platforms, websites including social media, supporting the development of flexible
feedback opportunities and structures.”
The Bridge
What people said about the Engagement day
“It was good to have examples of other service user involvement to get us thinking about ideas”.
“Our organisation's ethos on client involvement has shifted in as much as staff/trustees now understand that
client involvement is much more than just consulting on a policy or being involved with the support planning
process.“
Legacy: Bridge Engagement Support Team (BEST) set up.
Action plan with recommendations about future engagement and co-production activities agreed.
Foundations laid for the establishment of a service user Steering Group.
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12.4 St Mary's Intergenerational Arts project - East
Midlands Housing Association (EMHA)
Project description: Intergenerational arts and wellbeing project
involving frail older people living in an extra care housing scheme
which builds links with local school. It will increase community
engagement and aims to further develop personalisation within East
Midlands Supported Housing Services.
Who was involved: Twelve Residents from St Mary's Extra Care
Scheme Lutterworth; 10 children from John Wycliffe Primary School
Lutterworth plus teaching support staff; Julie Young Support Coordinator, St Mary's; Katherine Brown Beauty and Utility Arts and
Winsome Ruddock artist. Gill Phillips from Nutshell Communications
for one session.
What they did: Met every Wednesday afternoon over an eight week
period at St Mary's. In the first four weeks school children and St
Mary's residents took part in a series of activities around food and
nutrition. This involved designing a new food with its packaging and
creating an advert which was filmed. The children and older people
'buddied up' for the activities.
“ The young man I worked with wrote a postcard to me. It made me feel very emotional.”
Ron - resident at St Mary's
“We had a letter from a parent requesting to visit their son's buddy at the weekend.”
Julie Young, St Marys
“Me, Kath and Marjorie were filmed in the corridor and behaved like naughty school girls.”
Mary - 97 year old resident of St Mary's
Residents were invited to attend a special assembly at John Wycliffe
School to celebrate the project and had a tour of the school. In the
following four weeks Katherine and Winsome assisted residents in a
range of arts and crafts activities. A private viewing of the art work was
then held at St Mary's opened by the Mayor of Lutterworth. The art
work then went on tour around Leicestershire, starting at the local
library. A DVD and book about the project called “I'm no good at Art”
was produced by Katherine Brown and is available from
www.beautyandutilityarts.com
Outcomes: A body of art work and a book to be displayed and continue to be used for reminiscence work.
Strengthened links within the local community in Lutterworth.
20
Residents also took part in an interactive “Whose Shoes”
personalisation game. For more information on this go to
http://www.nutshellcomms.co.uk/
“It seemed to go really well. Certainly there were some important issues discussed and recorded... and a lot of
laughter!”
Gill Phillips, Nutshell Communications
What people said about the project
“My mother has recently been involved in your Art Project at St Mary's House in Lutterworth. All her life she has
been a dedicated artist but sadly the last few years have seen deterioration in her ability to paint and draw.
However, your project has been amazing for her. It has helped her motivation to paint and draw again and has
completely improved her life. Getting the old and young together is a very worthwhile project and I do hope you
will be able to continue running similar schemes.”
Mrs Guppy
Outcome: Improved mental and physical well being, Introduction to new interests and continuation of previous
interest.
Legacy: St. Mary's plan to look more creatively at events and activities, local groups businesses and microproviders to enhance what they offer to the users of their service. They have made new links with One Stop Shop
Lutterworth and Lutterworth College. EMHA are developing a volunteering project to look at greater utilisation of
volunteers as a resource.
12.5 Hinckley Homeless
Project description: Co-production of an induction handbook and
process for new admissions into the service. Service is a medium
stay supported accommodation project for single homeless young
people aged 16 years to 25 years. Young people will design and
develop the handbook and contents and co-production will be
developed within the organisation.
Staff and tenants moving into Lawrence House found the whole
induction process overwhelming in terms of the amount of
information and the way it was presented. The consequences had
been that young people had 'switched off' and not taken on board key
bits of information. The project also wanted to make better
connections with local resources that would offer the young people
opportunities to be part of their local community.
Who was involved: Jess and Linda, Project Support workers; Jane Manager; plus Zulika (ex-resident) and residents living at Lawrence
House during the course of the project.
21
What they did: Jess and Linda ran informal sessions with young
people who produced a list of 36 bits of information that they felt would
be important to include in the handbook. Once the young people got
on a roll lots of ideas came forward. A couple of residents thought they
couldn't use the showers at night whereas they can! Also it stimulated
discussion about what they would like in terms of new facilities, ideas
and opportunities which the staff team hope to able to act on and a
separate fund has been set aside for this purpose.
Three young people were then involved in designing the covers for
the new handbook. They made collages in a session using pamphlets
and leaflets. They cut out what they found appealing/eye catching
and what they thought would work well.
The young people talked about their own personal experiences of
moving into Lawrence House and their experience of homelessness.
They also talked about other issues that were important to them such
as health issues, training, current affairs, relationships, jobs and
college.
Hinckley Homeless Collage
One collage focused on the dangers of drug use and this was
important to the young person that made the collage; another collage
reflected more on progression, training, education and moving
forwards with her own life and that was what she wanted to reflect as
her experience of moving into Lawrence House.
The collages have been incorporated into the cover of the new
handbook. The handbook was designed and put into a user friendly,
accessible format by HM Prison Leeds. The cost and the quality of
the design work by HM Prison Leeds not only enabled the provider to
come in under budget, but gave them a real choice of design formats
for people to choose from.
“The turnover of residents has been a challenge as it has been hard not having the same residents involved from
start to finish. Bringing together the viewpoints and opinions from such a varied group of people: residents, staff
and management committee has been a challenge”.
Jane Bunting, Hinckley Homeless
What people said about being involved in the project
“Rewarding, interesting and relaxing. I enjoyed thinking in a different way about media and graphics and what
would be important to other young people coming here”.
Resident at Lawrence House
Residents also fed back that they felt it was helpful for them to be able
to record their own personal experiences in a creative and tangible
way - where maybe writing down their experiences may have not
been that easy or rewarding for them.
22
Outcome: Co-production of an induction handbook and induction process for the service.
Legacy: The collages have been framed and put up in the newly decorated lounge. They will be used as
postcards to be distributed around the local community so that young people at risk of homelessness can be
more aware of the support that Lawrence House can offer them.
There are also plans to follow a similar process and redesign the “Move On” training pack with tenant input.
Lawrence House has around 42 new residents a year and already 12
residents have used the new handbook. Feedback has been great.
People like the design and layout and like the way the information is
presented. They also rate the fact that there is so much information
about health and community resources. They can still use this
information when they move on.
Outcomes: Increased health and well being of young people due to increase in awareness of a range of health
information.
Improved access and signposting to other health promotion and prevention services.
12.6 North West (NW) Leicestershire District Council
Older Persons Housing: “The Art of Reminiscing”
Project description: A project to involve older people living in
sheltered housing in sewing a large quilt which will contain
photographs and memories of family life, work and industry in the NW
Leicestershire villages. A community artist will work with support staff
from the schemes to lead art and sewing sessions involving some of
the most isolated older people living alone. There will be an exhibition
of the quilt to which all who have participated will be invited.
Who was involved: Up to 45 residents from six sheltered housing
schemes across NW Leicestershire; Grainne McAndrew, Clive
Taylor, Kaizad Johnston, Maureen Gould; NW Leicestershire Support
staff; Rikke Digerud, visual artist and Trevor at DVM films.
What they did: Monthly sessions in each sheltered housing scheme
for three hours over a period of seven months. People brought old
photos, which generated discussions and memories. Each scheme
then cut patchwork squares, ironed and sewed a quilt panel onto
which copies of the old photos had been ironed. Men and women
came together to chat and sew. The final large quilt plus a wall
hanging went on display at a local museum Snibston (which had
formerly been the site of the local colliery).
People were asked what were the three things they enjoyed most
about the quilt making sessions:
23
Sewing
Friendship
Laughter
Reminiscing
Chatting
Being with
people
Meeting
people
Machining
24
Taking part in
activity
Getting
together with
people
Getting out of
the flat
Meeting the
organiser
Sewing
Cutting out
Putting it
together
Meeting
people
Being part of
the project
Seeing it
finished
Machining
Putting the
squares
together
Interesting
Met interesting
people
Being part of
the project
Looking
forward to the
finish
Looking at the
photos
Choosing
material
Putting it
together
“Glad to have taken part. I have
learnt that I can still participate
in these sorts of activities at
being 89 years old.”
Irene
“Pleased to see our heritage
continued in a delightful way.”
Sheila, Kegworth Museum
“Lovely project. A lot of hard
work but an outstanding piece.
Well done Rikke and all
contributors.”
“Excellent project. Well done all
involved.”
Sinder Mahil, LCC Market
Development Team
“The community of NWL has a
lasting time capsule that
records the memories of local
people who have worked and
lived their lives in North West
Leicestershire for more than a
century. This quilt provides a
wonderful opportunity to
engage with the members of
the community, and we hope
enable us to continually add to
the archive.”
Clive Taylor, NW
Leicestershire
Network members admire
the finished quilt
The opening of the exhibition was attended by over 85 people
including 60 older people and their families plus members of local
museums and historical societies.
Outcomes: Increased motivation to participate in activities.
Sense of achievement - through creation of quilt and wall hanging using scanned old photos.
Increased confidence and well being.
Introduction to new interests/continuation of previous interests.
Social inclusion opportunities for older people as they present their creative work to their wider communities.
12.7 Leicester City Council STAR (a floating support
service to the Gypsy and Traveller community in
Leicestershire)
Project description: A service user led project involving the Gypsy
and Traveller community which will co-produce a practical toolkit
around housing related support, create a user friendly training
programme, as well as train and develop a number of peer mentors
from within the community. There will be a partnership with local
creative arts organisation Soft Touch.
STAR workers have identified through one to one case work, that
there is difficulty with Travellers understanding the benefits and
housing system, as well as keeping appointments with a large
proportion of Gypsy Traveller community having literacy issues.
Chantelle, Tabby and Lisa
Who was involved: Tracy Robinson and Cathy Buswell from STAR,
Chantelle, Tabby (Sara) and Lisa. Jen Bickerton Soft Touch.
What they did: Between April and December 2012 they met every
two weeks from 10am to 2pm. The project had two different parts.
The first part was to research and develop an accessible training
toolkit covering topics such as: managing money and budgeting;
welfare benefits; environmental issues; communications; staying
safe, drugs and alcohol as well as health and well being. This could be
used by agencies working with the Gypsy and Traveller community,
but could also have wider application. Chantelle, Tabby and Lisa did
the research; put the training materials together into a training pack
with support from Cathy and Tracy. They practiced delivering the
training and got a certificate at the end of each session.
The second part has been a partnership with Soft Touch participatory
arts to design and develop some practical tools to accompany the
training package. The three women came up with the following ideas:
25

Budget planners - Living on a budget is hard for all of us,
especially if you are on a low income, or you can't read or write, or
you find understanding utility bills hard. Our budget planner sets
out a weekly/fortnightly/monthly budget with specific outgoings
on, so people can work out a plan for managing their money.

Identification labels - to help with remembering important details
(NI number, date of birth and other key information). Many people
find remembering personal details difficult (especially if you can't
read or write).

Calendars - to help with appointments and letters for people with
literacy difficulties.
The idea was to create a calendar that could be used year on year and
would highlight key appointments in an accessible way. The concept
was for a calendar in 'kit form' in a bag. This kept cost down and lent
itself to being put together in a group as well as engaging a family as a
craft project. The calendar is in the shape of a 'vardo' a traditional
caravan, but other models could be made into different shaped
houses. The calendar is plain and allows itself to be personalised.
With support from Jen at Soft Touch the calendar moved from
concept to production. Flex-Press a local business worked with the
women to get the prototype ready for marketing.
Tabby
“I was looking forward to today.
I enjoyed seeing everyone at
the group. Learnt some proper
stuff which can be used every
day. I know some people who I
can help with this”.
Tabby
The aim is that through both the training programme and the toolkits
(calendar, budget planner and ID straps) members of the Gypsy
Traveller community will have better access to information about
housing, health, benefits. There is already a lot of interest in the
calendar from community groups and plans to promote it with the
Health Authority (learning disability and mental health teams), as well
as through youth workers and specialist Gypsy Traveller worker's for
use in schools and wider community and social care.
The project has developed the talents and assets of the women
involved:

One group member couldn't read at the start and through the
project has been supported to read. She is really proud of her
achievement.

One of the women now wants to go on and complete a Child
Protection course. All three women are going on to be sponsored
by Soft Touch to complete a Creative Arts course at a local
college.
Outcomes: Improved access to information and advice regarding housing, health and social care issues leading
to improved health and well being within the Gypsy Traveller community.
Increase in confidence and self esteem amongst project volunteer peer mentors.
Peer volunteer mentors learn new skills.
26
13. The Legacy of the Innovation Challenge
Programme
The Leicestershire Innovation Challenge Programme has been
about:

Testing out new ways of working in the supported housing sector.

Harnessing talents and assets in staff, managers and in people in
services.

Developing networks, relationships and activities outside of the
world of supported housing.

Supporting people in services to develop their own projects.
The seven projects ran from April to December 2012. The benefits
and the legacy have already been far reaching, even life changing, for
some individuals in services:

The men involved in the Adullam projects that have experienced
custody, homelessness and mental ill health have gained in
confidence and self respect and are looking forward to continuing
with their art work as a co-operative. There has been no reoffending; one person gained employment; two people gained
NVQ qualifications; and for one person being involved in the
project gave them the motivation to book into rehab.

The Adullam PRS project, investigating inequalities in the private
rented sector from a tenant perspective, has not only made wide
ranging recommendations that could improve access to housing
for the non priority homeless, but has also helped develop
personal skills, confidence and knowledge in the men involved.

The three women from the Gypsy Traveller community have not
only developed innovative products to help people with literacy
difficulties within their community, better understand health,
housing and social care issues, but one of the women has also
learnt to read and all three will be continuing with a college course
sponsored by Soft Touch.

For the residents at St Mary's extra care scheme the presence of
the school children brought them renewed life and energy. For
one gentleman it has resulted in him continuing to have visits from
his “art buddy” and family. For another lady it reconnected her with
skills she thought she had lost and helped her to make new
friends within the scheme.

Hinckley Homeless staff and residents have produced a
resident's handbook that they can be proud of and that will give
27
access to key information and advice to young people at a time of
crisis in their lives. It will be a tool to raise the organisation's profile
in the community and aid effective joint partnership working.

For residents in the sheltered housing schemes and their support
staff it has been a time to come together and have different kinds of
conversations about family life, school and work in NW
Leicestershire and use skills to cut and sew a quilt representing
their villages.
With other projects the legacy has been a movement towards coproduction as trustees and staff see the benefits of engaging with the
people they support in a different way.
“The legacy will be a shift in culture relating to client participation. We envisage it to move from involvement to
more of a co-production approach”.
The Bridge
For other projects the legacy has been learning the benefits of
working with wider community partners to enhance the supported
housing offer.
“Through the development of the Unique Mentor Project, funded via the Innovation Challenge Programme,
we have developed stronger relationships with our partners enabling them to bid for further monies to
develop programmes into Phase 2 of the innovation challenge fund”.
Tracy Robinson, STAR
Through their early involvement with the Innovation Challenge
Programme Stonham made contact with community resources that
they intend to involve to increase their “offer” to young people in
supported lodgings.
For other providers it is now about developing a greater utilisation of
volunteers as a resource to enable innovative ideas and projects to
continue.
“Following the success of the project and positive feedback from the people involved, we will be looking at
ways of facilitating further activities in our sheltered housing schemes. This will include engaging with the
voluntary sector to explore support that local volunteers may be able to provide”.
NW Leicestershire
The projects have also produced a tangible legacy in the form of:
“Creating exhibitions and books/catalogues as legacy materials which will raise awareness of Arts and
Health and individual groups to a wider audience.”
Beauty and Utility Arts
28
“The experience has been a very positive one for us in terms of what it has brought for us as an organisation and
for our tenants.”
Sally Taylor, East Midlands Housing
“I would like to thank the following for all their dedication and support, for sharing our vision and the journey we
have taken. For Leicestershire Supporting People for having the ability to think beyond the box and embrace coproduction”.
Raisa Turner, Adullam
The Innovation Challenge Programme has demonstrated that, with a
relatively small amount of funding, support and encouragement,
innovative ways of delivering services are very achievable.
“I would like to thank you and your colleagues at Community Catalysts on behalf of Leicestershire County
Council and my colleagues in the Market Development Team for the enthusiasm and energy you put into this
project and achieving excellent outcomes”.
Sinder Mahil, Market Development Team Leicestershire
“The Innovation Challenge in Leicestershire. What a great idea! Leicestershire County Council provided an
opportunity for housing providers and micro-providers to come together and do some really innovative stuff. A
small amount of money making a BIG difference to the lives of a wide range of people involved in all sorts of
housing support schemes. Add to the mix innovative Community Catalysts as co-ordinators, and it was always
going to be a winning recipe.“
Beauty and Utility Arts
Leicestershire County Council and its health partners were so
impressed with the outcomes from Phase 1 that £200,000 bursary
funding was made available for a Phase 2 programme set to run from
January 2013 to January 2014. Phase 2 will build on the learning
from Phase 1 and extend its call for innovation into the wider health
housing and social care market with an emphasis on early
intervention and prevention.
If Phase 1 is anything to go by it will be a very rewarding journey for all
involved.
Helen Turner
Programme Co-ordinator, Community Catalysts
Leicestershire Innovation Challenge Programme
Helen.turner@communitycatalysts.co.uk
“The Innovation Challenge Programme has delivered significant, tangible outcomes for vulnerable people. The
programme has touched many lives across Leicestershire and we can be proud of the success of the
programme. We can also be proud of the individuals and organisations who have taken part and of their
willingness to innovate and drive change. The programme has also delivered some significant legacy value and
is proof that services don’t have to cost a fortune - it is about working and thinking smarter and putting the needs
of our clients and customers at the heart of everything we do. I would also commend our colleagues at
Leicestershire County Council for having the vision for developing the programme.”
Peter Davey, Chair of Innovation Challenge Steering Group
Chief Officer, The Bridge Housing
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