September 2011 Wider Impact delivers an independent evaluation of the North Staffordshire based Reroot Project.
 Commenced in June 2008 and ended March 2011, the Reroot Project was intended to complement the RENEW North Staffordshire Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder purpose of remodelling and revitalising housing in the North Staffordshire Urban Core.
The Project was intended to address the trend of declining economic activity in the area, by helping companies choose the right premises to facilitate business growth and expansion thus protecting and creating new jobs.
Edwin Lewis of Wider Impact says, 'We are satisfied that the Project has been delivered in accordance within set criteria, and has been well-managed by the Project team. We are also satisfied that the Project has on the whole achieved its aims and objectives - to facilitate business growth and expansion, thus protecting and creating sustainable new jobs'.
Headlines include:
- Total grants awarded £1,247,041
- To 56 local businesses
- Average grant size £22,269
- Net job gain 247.5
- Average cost of each job created £5,039
- Based on verification visits carried out by Wider Impact Consultancy to 28 grant recipients, it is estimated that just over 90% of Reroot grants has been re-invested within the North Staffordshire business economy
Agencies interested in commissioning Wider Impact can contact our team at enquiries@widerimpact.com.
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August 2011 Wider Impact delivers an independent evaluation of Groundwork Lancashire West & Wigan's Future Jobs Fund Project.
 Wider Impact has been delighted to be invited by the Groundwork Lancashire West & Wigan Trust to independently evaluate its performance in relation to the delivery of the Future Jobs Fund projects commissioned by:
- AGMA (Association of Greater Manchester Authorities Grants Unit)
- Groundwork UK and NHF National Programme (supported by DWP)
- North West Development Agency (Greater Manchester City Strategy)
Edwin Lewis of Wider Impact says, 'We are delighted to present an extremely positive report, and have no doubts that the Trust is meeting the requirements of its contractors and delivering client centred support to clients. We have noted that the Trust has established an impressive list of Host Employers, and in close partnership with other agencies, has enabled 330 previously long-term unemployed people into meaningful jobs that will enhance and improve their future employment prospects'.
Groundwork Trust Programme Director Colin Greenhalgh says, 'Wider Impact have completed three programme evaluations for us over the past five years, and each time Edwin provides an energetic down to earth approach and is able to relate to clients and partners alike, teasing out their thoughts and providing an honest assessment of the service we have provided that brings out and prioritises both positives from our delivery and areas for development. I would have no hesitation in recommending Wider Impact to others looking to commission similar work'.
Agencies interested in commissioning Wider Impact can contact our team at enquiries@widerimpact.com.
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July 2011 Wider Impact Delivers an independent evaluation of an important Heritage Lottery Funded Project based at Blakenall, Walsall.
Put together by the local Community 50+ Forum, the 'Know Your Place' Project, which aims to enhance community cohesion by re-alighting peoples' knowledge and experiences, capturing local heritage in the 1920s onwards, has been operating within the Blakenall, Bloxwich and Leamore areas of Walsall.
Project Coordinator, Jenny Cartwright (pictured 3rd form the left), says, Edwin Lewis, of Wider Impact, was recommended to me by a well-respected colleague. He has proved to be invaluable is assisting me to fully draw out the achievements
of the Project, so that Heritage Lottery can clearly see that Project outcomes and value for money have been achieved. He did this by making sure he fully understood the Project's aims via regular contact, and by attending a Project community event. He also interviewed individual community members, and those working with organisations I had contact with during the life of the Project.
The final evaluation report prepared by Edwin shows clearly allows me to fully appreciate what the Project, with the help and support of the local community, has been able to achieve.
I would not hesitate to recommend Edwin to others looking to find the right person to take on this sort of work. His considerable experience has been extremely helpful to me during this part of the Project, and has allowed me to learn more about how to fully reflect the achievements of the 'Know Your Place' Project.
| Click Image to view the report |
Agencies interested in commissioning Wider Impact can contact our team at enquiries@widerimpact.com
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June 2011 Wider Impact commissioned by the Birmingham & Black Country Community Foundation to carry out a Community Consultation exercise linked to the Haines Branch Walk (Black Country) and wider regeneration projects.
For the past 5 years, local community activists within the Great Bridge Community have been campaigning to improve an area of land called 'Haines Branch Walk'. The site runs alongside a disused canal side and the River Tame; linking the High Street retail area to Sheepwash Nature Reserve.
The area has been allowed to deteriorate and has become a magnet for litter and fly- tipping. The site has also fallen victim to anti-social behaviour and has emerged as a haven for alcoholics and drug users.
The public consultation will be launched with a questionnaire providing members of the public and local traders the opportunity to 'have their say' on the current use of the Haines Branch Walk, and provide suggestions for regenerating the area. Participants will have the opportunity to win a £50.00 ASDA Shopping Voucher!
How to access the 'On-Line' questionnaire
The questionnaires will be distributed through local groups, and can also be accessed through our innovative 'On-Line' format, which can be accessed by clicking here, or accessing link www.widerimpact.co.uk/HainesBranchWalk.
Agencies interested in commissioning Wider Impact can contact our team at enquiries@widerimpact.com
A 'Planning for Real' exercise will be conducted with young people at a local school. Residents can also get involved at a 'Meet the Public Day', whereby plans for the site will be displayed at an open networking event to be held within the Great Bridge Indoor Market, Saturday 25 June.
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May 2011 Wider Impact celebrates over 5 years of successful trading.
Building of over 5 years experience, Wider Impact continues to grow and develop, supporting organisations and local communities across the United Kingdom.
North Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce CEO, Bryan Carnes MBE (pictured right), says 'It has been rewarding to see Chamber member Wider Impact grow and prosper.
The company's success is clearly based on delivering innovative, high quality, value for money services. There is no doubt that the skills, experience and integrity of its founder and Director Edwin Lewis will continue to play a role in Wider Impact's future successes'.
Wider Impact Director, Edwin Lewis says, 'It has been a pleasure to support so many clients across the United Kingdom. Linked to austerity, we are now entering a period of challenges, which we have responded to. Our approach is now focussed on supporting organisations achieve two key outcomes:
- Money Saved
- Quality Assured
Agencies interested in commissioning Wider Impact can contact our team at enquiries@widerimpact.com
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May 2011 Wider Impact delivers a report aimed at understanding offenders' training and employment needs and opportunities.
Commissioned by Stoke on Trent College / City Break Project, and funded by the Stoke on Trent Safer City Partnership, the report delivers objectives of:
- Improving structures and mechanisms for joint working between the Probation Service and the employment and learning sectors
- Supporting improved understanding of offenders' training and employment needs and opportunities, in order to develop initiatives to enhance offenders' ability to enter the labour market.
Researched at the 'coal face', this important and informative report will be of interest to agencies and individuals tasked with supporting ex-offenders, employers and most significantly, people with criminal convictions looking to enter or remain in the labour market.
Stoke on Trent College Senior Contracts Manager, Jeremy Clay says, 'We are extremely pleased with Wider Impact's approach to this challenging commission. Their 'coal face' approach has certainly worked. We are now aware of what clients' with criminal convictions are looking for in relation to their becoming employed. We are also aware of areas for development in terms of partnership working. In addition to delivering high quality research, they have made a number of important recommendations, which will assist in developing multi-agency strategic approaches in this important field of work.
We would not hesitate to recommend Wider Impact, and particularly, Director, Edwin Lewis to others looking to carry out similar work'.
Agencies interested in commissioning Wider Impact can contact our team at enquiries@widerimpact.com
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April 2011 Wider Impact secures commissions aimed at supporting local communities.
- Wider Impact is delighted to be commissioned by Birmingham & Black Country Community Foundation to support the delivery of the Haines Branch Walk Project situated in Greatbridge, West Midlands
- Wider Impact is delighted to be commissioned by the Walsall New Deal 50 Plus Forum to independently evaluate the 'Know Your Place' Project
Agencies interested in commissioning Wider Impact can contact our team at enquiries@widerimpact.com
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March 2011 Wider Impact delivers innovative motivational days to Sandon Business & Enterprise College students at risk of under achieving at GCSE examinations.
Two separate days have been organised by Wider Impact, supported by two companies, Nice to be Kneaded and Bloomin Potential:
Stoke City Football Club, when male students were assigned as 'Journalists within an Aspirational sporting environment'.
Students got to meet and interview star players and 'backroom' staff, and ended the day with 'news reports' delivered to a judging panel.
Prizes for students (kindly donated by Stoke City FC) included an FA Cup qualifying game 'match ball', and signed programmes and photographs.
As teacher David Walsh points out, 'The whole day was simply outstanding! I have never seen such a dissolute group of boys come together as well as they did..... the boys' attitude to learning seemed to improve no end. It was clear Wider Impact, in partnership with Stoke City have carried out a great deal of preparation for this day, which certainly paid off'.
| Click Image to view the report |
Girls Confidence Building Day - when female students accessed a 'Luxury Health Spa', and were provided with the skills and confidence to understand their 'natural beauty and self-worth'.
Building on a 'healthy lunch', other activities included seminars, workshops and discussions aimed at tackling key
Issues, such as identity, personal presentation, self-esteem, body language, feeling good and healthy, motivation, risk taking, tackling stress and anxiety and the risk of under-achievement.
As teacher Miss Needham points out, 'The girls realised that relaxation is important in order to succeed in examinations. Having business people there gave the girls other perspectives from people who have been there, done it, and done it well. The day was extremely enjoyable'.
Agencies interested in commissioning Wider Impact can contact our team at enquiries@widerimpact.com
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February 2011 Wider Impact commissioned to deliver innovative 'Confidence Building Workshops to students
Building on previous experiences of supporting young people, Wider Impact is delighted to accept a commission from Sandon Business & Enterprise College to deliver a series of Workshops aimed at building the confidence and skills of young students,
The Workshops will focus on males and females separately, and will be delivered with the support of two companies, Nice to be Kneaded and Bloomin Potential.
Agencies interested in commissioning Wider Impact can contact our team at enquiries@widerimpact.com
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January 2011 Wider Impact praised at the highest levels.
We are delighted to start the New Year with knowledge that our work is making a difference and impacting on National policy. As the below testimonials demonstrate:
I am delighted to draw your attention to the Association of Chief Police Officers & The Youth Justice Board report: The YOT Police Officer Review and Role Development.
You will see that your 2010 evaluation of Birmingham Youth Crime Officer has clearly helped inform and influence the National thinking on this vital role and the importance of not making short-term decisions in these times of ongoing spending cuts.
Thank you again for valued and important input and support inthis important area of work on our behalf. Sergant Tom Dobrovic, Safer Birmingham Partnership
Thank you very much for the producing the Youth Work Evaluation and the Executive Report so efficiently and effectively in line with the brief given.
Your analysis and recommendations will positively inform our strategic approach; your analysis of our teams' skills and strengths in this area is thorough and has helped us identify training needs in our teams.
We are very pleased with this report which clearly evidences a thorough and considered approach to the work commissioned. Carol Hayton, Neighbourhood Investment Team Leader, L&Q Housing Trust
Agencies interested in commissioning Wider Impact can contact our team at enquiries@widerimpact.com
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