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 November 2009 - Wider Impact has been commissioned to support Stoke on Trent City Council gain a robust evidence base in relation to the supply of, and demand for housing and accommodation for people with physical and/ or sensory disabilities. Our work will support the City Council inform policy decisions in the future and is seeking to identify current need and examine the future aspirations and expectations of this group.
Research tools are including user and partner agency workshops, one to one meetings, case studies and our innovative ‘on-line’ questionnaires.
Councillor John Daniels, cabinet member for housing, environment and neighbourhood services, said: “We want disabled people to come forward and explain their housing needs. It’s important we gain a greater understanding of their requirements so we can tailor our services to offer greater support. Previous research has focused on the supply and demand of accommodation for older people and people with learning disabilities. This new research will help fill a gap in our knowledge.
National surveys indicate that there is a huge shortfall in the supply of accessible housing and we want to explore how this impacts on people in the City. The work will help the council meet requirements under the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 which places a duty on councils to deliver an equal housing experience for disabled people’.
A total of 500 ‘hard copies’ of the Wider Impact questionnaire have been produced, and it is available to complete online at www.widerimpact.com/disabilities-survey
It is asking disabled people how accessible their home is, and whether it would be better suited with adaptations such as a lower level shower or bigger kitchen. It will also ask disabled people to rate their homes in such areas as safety, parking, affordable maintenance and access to a private garden. The survey will explain other council services, and ask residents to rate housing, care and support services.
A copy of the Stoke on Trent City Council press release can be found at: www.widerimpact.com/news/docs/Nov-09-Press-Release.pdf
Agencies interested in commissioning Wider Impact can contact our team at enquiries@widerimpact.com.
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September 2009 - Wider Impact report recognised as ‘good practice’ by nationally based Mentoring & Befriending Foundation (MBF)
Headed, ‘A compelling case for a more co-ordinated approach to mentoring support for offenders’, the MBF news report states, ‘A recently published report makes a compelling argument for a national co-ordinated mentoring service working across the Criminal Justice System. The pilot, which was undertaken in the Birmingham area involving a number of prisons and partner mentoring organisations led by the New Hope Mentoring Programme has generated interest in the idea of a ‘one stop shop’ for agencies / individuals requiring mentoring support / looking to volunteer as a mentor’.
Report author, Wider Impact Director Edwin Lewis says, This is really good news and demonstrates the quality and integrity of our work. It is even more rewarding to know we are playing some part in enhancing mentoring support for ex-offenders, reducing crime and making areas of the United Kingdom safer places for people to live, work and socialise.
Details of the Mentoring & Befriending Foundation news item and the Wider Impact report can be found by clicking on link http://www.mandbf.org.uk/news/newsinfo/article/4733/40/
Agencies interested in commissioning Wider Impact can contact our team at enquiries@widerimpact.com.
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August 2009 - Wider Impact delivers an independent evaluation of an Older Persons Support Worker Project, which is delivered within the context of the provision of improving health, well-being and service delivery for the over 50’s in the Bloxwich East, Blakenall and Leamore areas of Walsall.
Commissioned by Walsall’s New Deal for Communities, Wider Impact is pleased to produce an extremely positive report on a project that is innovative and without doubt delivering ‘value for money’ in its area of operation. According to multi-agency partners, the project is ‘adding value’ to services being delivered to local elderly residents. It is clear that the project is playing a significant role in tackling the ‘over 50’s Time Bomb’ described by research studies such as that outlined by In My Prime (Social Research).
Wider Impact Director Edwin Lewis says, ‘This is an important report and all those involved in setting up and delivering this project should be congratulated. There is no doubt others could learn from this excellent example of ‘good practice’ and we thank all those who have contributed to this report’.
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Click Image to view the report |
Agencies interested in commissioning Wider Impact can contact our team at enquiries@widerimpact.com
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August 2009 - Wider Impact delivers an independent evaluation of an innovative Midlands based project that is supporting long-term unemployed people into self-employment.
Commissioned by Business Link West Midlands, Wider Impact is delighted to deliver a positive evaluation of the Early Entry to Enterprise programme delivered by North Staffordshire based Business Initiative.
The innovative 13 week programme has helped beneficiaries off benefits and supported them to establish and develop their own business. Beneficiaries have been provided with a £72 per week training allowance and weekly one to one support from an experienced Business Advisor. After the 13 weeks, beneficiaries are supported for a further year by Business Initiative Business Advisors.
A beneficiary of the programme says, ‘Looking back at my time with Business Initiative I feel that it has been one of the most beneficial journeys I have undertaken. I took full advantage of the services on offer and am so glad I picked up the phone and contacted Business Initiative. The service is of real value to start up businesses and I feel that if we were to lose any aspects of this valuable service it would be a very sad day for young businesses in North Staffordshire’.
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Click Image to view the report |
Agencies interested in commissioning Wider Impact can contact our team at enquiries@widerimpact.com
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August 2009 - Wider Impact delivers an independent feasibility study in support of the restoration and development of a Community Centre in the village of Thorpe (Leeds).
Commissioned by the Thorpe Community Group Wider Impact has carried out an in-depth study, based on there being a community, social and business case to justify retaining and developing a run-down Community Centre in an area where community apathy is noticeably high.
Building on Government Policy, and Leeds City Council strategy, which is laid out in the documents:
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Communities in Control: real people, real power, which aims to pass power into the hands of local communities. |
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Strong, safe and prosperous communities, which signalled devolution of power from Whitehall to town halls and from local authorities to local communities in England. |
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Leeds Strategic Plan 2008 to 2011 |
Wider Impact has delivered a positive report, which will now be used to inform a Business Plan and subsequent funding applications that will aim to restore and develop the Community Centre. This will play a significant role in building the capacity and confidence of the local community to become directly involved in the management and development of their local area.
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Click Image to view the report |
Agencies interested in commissioning Wider Impact can contact our team at enquiries@widerimpact.com
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August 2009 - Wider Impact Consultancy delivers an International Summer Enterprise Workshop in the style of the BBC's Dragons Den programme.
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Building on a similar event held during the summer of 2008, students from the Sandon Business and Enterprise College Young Chamber have been joined by students from Vadym Hetman Kyiv National Economic University Ukraine and have been given the opportunity to develop and present business enterprise ideas at an innovative International Summer Enterprise Workshop. The event was held at the North Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce during August 2009. |
Event sponsor Michelin and business ‘expert’ was joined by ‘experts’ from the Hanley Economic Building Society, Boommm and Anderen Ltd. Henson Editorial Services and North Staffordshire Press Ltd enabled the visit of the Ukrainian students visit to the area.
Cash prizes were presented to the business enterprises that presented the most complete business case; based on the information they had access to during the day delivered by the business ‘experts’.
Dave Smith, of Michelin, says, ‘This is an exciting and innovative example of how the Business Brokers and local business can support our local schools and colleges. The day has been all the more special as we have had the privilege of welcoming students from the Ukraine to Stoke on Trent’.
Anyone interested in commissioning Wider Impact Consultancy for similar events can contact our team at enquiries@widerimpact.com
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June 2009 - Wider Impact Consultancy commissioned to deliver a Social Care & Health Sector Annual Conference – ‘It’s My Life! Personalisation and Dignity in Care’
Wider Impact Consultancy is delighted to be commissioned to deliver the annual Staffordshire Social Care Workforce Partnership Conference.
Key note speakers include social care champion and former England and Stoke City Goalkeeper Gordon Banks.
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Details of this free conference to be held at the County Showground, Stafford, September 30th
can be accessed by clicking the image to the left. |
Anyone interested in commissioning Wider Impact Consultancy for similar events can contact our team at enquiries@widerimpact.com
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June 2009 - Wider Impact Consultancy is pleased to deliver an ‘international’ Summer Enterprise Workshop in the style of the BBC's Dragons Den programme.
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Building on a similar event held during the summer of 2008, students from the Sandon Business and Enterprise College will be joined by students from Vadym Hetman Kyiv National Economic University Ukraine and will be given the opportunity to develop and present business enterprise ideas at an innovative Summer Enterprise Workshop. The event will be held at the North Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce during August 2009.
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In partnership with Sandon Business and Enterprise College, Henson Editorial & North Staffordshire Press and the Business Brokers, Wider Impact Consultancy will invite a number of local ‘experts’ from the local business community to participate in the event, in areas such as purchasing, sales, finance and marketing.
Students will have opportunity to visit each expert during the day, taking away the essential knowledge and information to make their individual businesses enterprise a success.
Towards the end of the event, each business enterprise will be invited to ‘pitch’ their ideas and plans to a panel in the style of the BBC's ‘Dragons Den’ programme.
A prize of £100.00 will be presented by Bryan Carnes, North Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive to the business enterprise that presents the most complete business case; based on the information they have had access to during the day.
It is anticipated that each of the business ‘experts’ will maintain contact with the students during the following year, cementing international school / business links and helping to ensure the success of each of the business enterprise ventures.
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Summer Enterprise Workshop
click image to view full details of the event. |
Anyone interested in commissioning Wider Impact Consultancy for similar events can contact our team at enquiries@widerimpact.com
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May 2009 - Wider Impact Consultancy delivers a comprehensive report on mentoring ex-offenders on behalf of the Birmingham Resettlement Mentoring Forum (BRMF).
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Funded by West Midlands Next Steps (Test Bed), and led by the New Hope Mentoring Programme (NHMP), the BRMF is piloting a co-ordinated mentoring referrals service for recently released prisons working in and around the Birmingham area.
Aims include ensuring that clients requiring mentoring services are allocated an appropriate mentor from one of the BRMF’s signatory agencies.
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As Wider Impact Consultancy Director Edwin Lewis points out, 'Our findings are extremely positive and we take note of the fact that the project has been delivered by third sector organisations that have utilised impressive skills and experience to train and support volunteer mentors to provide high quality mentoring support to mentees – some of whom are prolific persistent offenders (PPOs) recently released from prison.
As highlighted by a recent report by Baroness Neuberger (Volunteering Across the Criminal Justice System, Baroness Neuberger, March 2009), the third sector has a significant role to play in supporting the Criminal Justice System. Our recommendations are in line with those of Baroness Neuberger and this is a unique and important opportunity for Birmingham based agencies (and, we suggest, the United Kingdom) to take advantage of this innovative and successful Test Bed initiative’.
Dr Richard Stunt, New Hope Mentoring Programme Manager says, 'We are extremely pleased with Wider Impact Consultancy. They have delivered a comprehensive report that will help us to achieve our objectives. The report has been delivered on time, within budget and is of a high standard. We would not hesitate to recommend the company to others looking to carry out similar work'.
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BRMF Evaluation Report
click image to view pdf. |
Agencies interested in commissioning Wider Impact Consultancy can contact our team at enquiries@widerimpact.com
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April 2009 - Wider Impact Consultancy is thanked for supporting The Wrekin Housing Trust with its 2009 Anti-Social Behaviour Service Review.
In line with The Wrekin Housing Trust (WHT) policies and procedures, Wider Impact Consultancy Director Edwin Lewis has been commissioned to focus on:
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Challenging purpose |
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Comparing performance |
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Consulting residents and others |
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Competing with others |
The commission involved:
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A review of the WHT Website |
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Access to WHT Policies and Procedures, Brochures, Leaflets & Handouts |
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A Case Study |
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Access and a review of previous WHT Studies / Reports |
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Questionnaire Analysis |
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Partnership Working |
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Performance Measurement / Value for Money |
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Liaison / meetings with Other Housing Associations such as Aspire Housing, Knowlsey Housing Trust, Raven Housing Trust and Monmouthshire Housing Association |
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Elizabeth Baker, Wrekin Housing Trust Service Development Manager says, ‘We are extremely grateful to Wider Impact Consultancy and in particular Edwin Lewis, who has clearly used his considerable skills and experience in this area to deliver a comprehensive report, with recommendations that have been accepted in full by our Board. We would not hesitate to recommend Wider Impact Consultancy to others looking to carry out similar work’. |
Agencies interested in commissioning Wider Impact Consultancy can contact our team at enquiries@widerimpact.com
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April 2009 - Wider Impact Consultancy is delighted to appoint associate Helen Soutar to lead on the delivery of our conferences and events.
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Helen says, ‘We are excited to have been successful in securing the contract to deliver the 2009 Staffordshire Social Care Workforce Partnership (SSCWP) conference to be held at the County Showground, Stafford, Wednesday 30 September 2009.
We are committed to delivering high quality, innovative and informative conferences and events, within budgets, on behalf of our valued clients and multi-agency partner organisation members’. |
Agencies interested in commissioning Wider Impact Consultancy can contact our team at enquiries@widerimpact.com
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March 2009 - Wider Impact Consultancy has been commissioned to support a number of projects and initiatives, including:
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Commissioned by the New Hope Mentoring Programme (Birmingham) on behalf of the Birmingham Resettlement Mentoring Forum (BRMF), Wider Impact Consultancy, is evaluating a LSC West Midlands ‘Test Bed’ initiative, aimed at piloting a Birmingham based third sector initiative to deliver mentoring to prolific offenders who have been recently released from prison. |
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Wider Impact Consultancy is carrying out a feasibility study into the future direction of the Thorpe Community Centre (West Yorkshire). |
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Commissioned by Walsall’s New Deal, Wider Impact Consultancy is evaluating an Older Persons Project being delivered by the Bloxwich Community Partnership (BCP). |
Final reports are due to be delivered to commissioners and subject to their agreement, will be published on the Wider Impact Consultancy website.
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February 2009 - Wider Impact Consultancy carries out a number of key studies across the West Midlands:
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Commissioned by Renew North Staffordshire, Wider Impact Consultancy has carried out a review of the North Staffordshire based Minority Business Association (MBA), which is helping to transform the future direction of the MBA. |
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MBA Chair, Prakash Samani says, ‘We are grateful to Wider Impact Consultancy for such in-depth and precise work that has involved research across the United Kingdom. Our Board is grateful to Wider Impact Consultancy and would have no hesitation in recommending the company to others looking to carry out similar work’. |
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Commissioned by Herefordshire Council, Wider Impact Consultancy has carried out an in-depth review of pest control services being delivered by the local authority. Work has involved support with business planning, budget analysis, and meetings and consultations with local authorities in Birmingham, Bromsgrove and Malvern Hills. |
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Wider Impact Consultancy’s report, presented to Hereford Council will help shape the future direction of pest control services across Herefordshire and provide a template for other local authorities looking to carry out similar reviews. |
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Commissioned by the Bancroft Community Association, Tamworth, Wider Impact Consultancy has carried out an evaluation of the community based Glascote Heath Employability Project. |
Supported by European Union funding, the highly successful and innovative project has delivered impressive outcomes that include helping local people into work.
As project manager, Sam Dodds points out, ‘Wider Impact Consultancy has carried out a precise and informative piece of work, with recommendations that will help us to shape our future services. We would have no hesitation in recommending Wider Impact Consultancy to others. They are innovative in their approach, a pleasure to work with and have met all agreed deadlines’.
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Glascote Heath Evaluation Report
click image to view pdf. |
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January 2009 - Wider Impact Consultancy is thanked by the Staffordshire Social Care Workforce Partnership (SSCWP) for project managing CareMatch, the innovative web based E recruitment site.
CareMatch is ‘live’ with pay-on-line facilities from the 5th January and is playing an important role in supporting the Social Care & Health Sector recruiting ‘the right people into the right jobs’.
Key tasks have included an in-depth feasibility study, branding CareMatch, meeting with key multi-agency partners, supporting the development and delivery of the CareMatch website and developing a comprehensive business plan, which will support funding applications and the sustained, long term development and delivery of the CareMatch project.
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Head of SSCWP, Kym Billington-Baddley (centre) says, ‘Wider Impact Consultancy has delivered a very professional and friendly service, undertaken with great enthusiasm. They have helped deliver a very well presented and fully functional site and high quality and informative reports. Commission Project Manager Edwin Lewis is a great team player and someone that can influence and persuade others in getting things done and keeping people on board. We would not hesitate to use Wider Impact Consultancy again and recommend the Company to others looking to deliver similar projects. |
Photo: Ian Smith, Newfangled Media, Adele Cope, Business Brokers, Kym Billington-Baddley, SSCWP, Shirley Way, CareMatch Business Development Manager, Edwin Lewis, Wider Impact Consultancy
Further information about CareMatch can be found by accessing www.carematch.org.uk
Agencies interested in carrying out similar work should contact Wider Impact Consultancy at enquiries@widerimpact.com. |
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