Wider Impact Consultancy

01/04/2015

Dudley CAB Money Confidence Project in Action
rsz_atlanic_houseIt was a joy to join the Dudley CAB Money Confidence Project team in action yesterday as they met with and supported numerous service users at Atlantic House, Dudley Road.
The observational visit was carried out as part of our independent evaluation of the Project highlighted at link http://www.widerimpact.com/march-2015-wider-impact-commissioned-evaluate-lottery-funded-dudley-cab-project
Please do not hesitate to get back to me at [email protected] if you feel you can support the evaluation, or would like to learn more about how we can support your work.
Kindest regards
Edwin :-)

31/03/2015

Creative Producer Vacancy – Lead on Digital/Visual Arts

MARCH 16, 2015BY LEONA IN BLOG, VACANCIES TAGGED VACANCIES
CBC Black on WhiteThe Creative Black Country (CBC) Consortium is seeking a Full Time Creative Producer who has a wide range experience of the creative sector. We are particularly interested in a candidate who has a specialism (not exclusively) in the visual arts or digital technology. This role will be part of a core team working with the Programme Director and Artistic Director to manage and deliver the CBC Programme, funded by Arts Council England.

CBC is a 3-year programme to enable more people to experience and be inspired by the arts. CBC will invest in the talent, appetite and potential of the people of the Black Country to engage in the arts through innovative and highly creative arts and community engagement that will combine public events, commissioning, local arts seed funding and community development. The programme will take place across the three local authority areas of Walsall, Sandwell and Wolverhampton.}

This is a high profile and cutting-edge initiative with the potential to affect real long lasting change in the area. We are looking for a Producer with creative vision, knowledge of digital arts, the professional arts and community sector and a wide breadth of experience and expertise in developing and managing large programmes of work.

Contract: Fixed Term (Until September 2017) – based on a 6 month probation
Salary: £24,894 – £28,922 per annum
Deadline for applications: Tuesday 7th April 2015, 12pm.
Interviews: Tuesday 21 April 2015
Possible 2nd Interviews: Tuesday 28 April 2015

Application packs downloadable at: https://creativeblackcountry.wordpress.com/jobs

To discuss any part of the application process, please call Parminder Dosanjh or Sajida Carr on 0121 525 1127

31/03/2015

Spirit of 2012 Launches Challenge Fund

MARCH 6, 2015BY STEVE BAYLIS IN FUNDING TAGGED FUNDER NEWS, FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Funding4The Spirit of 2012 has launched the Spirit of Achievement Arts and Culture Challenge Fund to increase the participation of disabled people in the arts and cultural activities across the UK.

Spirit of 2012 is an independent Trust, established with a £47 million endowment from the Big Lottery Fund to ensure the spirit that radiated from the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics Games is felt across the UK.

Grants of between £100,000 and £250,000 are available to charities, voluntary and community organisations, Social Enterprises, and Community Interest Companies in the UK to create opportunities to enable disabled people to participate in arts and cultural activities, individually and with their families. Arts and cultural activities is meant in the broadest sense and can include visual art, craft, writing and literature, music, dance and performance arts.

Spirit uses the social model definition of disability which includes those with learning disabilities, mental health problems and long term life-limiting conditions.

Projects should:

Increase opportunities for disabled people to participate regularly in arts and cultural activities.
Provide opportunities for disabled and non-disabled people (particularly families) to participate in activities together.
Provide regular and sustained opportunities for participation (not one off activities).
Provide opportunities for disabled and non-disabled people to volunteer together to deliver those activities.
Provide disabled and non-disabled volunteers with training and skills that both ensure a high quality volunteering experience and boost employability.
Address a clearly identified and evidenced need, reflecting current public health priorities and including the views of potential beneficiaries.
Articulate a clear vision of how the project will impact beyond the life of Spirit’s funding.
International artist Rachel Gadsden (who sits on the Spirit of Achievement Panel) said:

“Without the kind of opportunities which the Challenge Fund is offering I wouldn’t have been able to be the artist I am today. I think it is really important that people like myself, who live with disabilities all of their lives, have the opportunity to live the most fulfilling lives. The Challenge Fund helps make that happen so is absolutely critical to everything I care about. I look forward to receiving the applications.”

The deadline for applications is 20 April 2015 (9am). Full details can be found on the Spirit of 2012 website

31/03/2015

The 2014-2020 European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme has now been launched and includes €3.6 billion of European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and €3.5 billion of European Social Fund (ESF), including the Youth Employment Initiative. Organisations can now apply to run projects that create jobs and economic growth.

27/03/2015

March 2015 Wider Impact Supports the Delivery of Social Care Survey
Wider Impact Consultancy is delighted to support Dudley based Safe & Settled in the delivery of an important social care survey, which is currently being featured on the Dudley Community Information Directory – see link http:// www.dudleyci.co.uk/kb5/dudley/asch/event.page?id=Rucz8qYFLRs
Wider Impact Director, Edwin Lewis says, ‘We are delighted to be able to support Safe & Settled with this important survey, and pleased that the questionnaire we helped design has the potential to reach many thousands of local people.
We urge as many people as possible to complete the easy to complete questionnaire, and look forward to analysing the results‘.
Please feel free to contact Edwin Lewis at [email protected] if you feel you can contribute to this commission, or would like to learn more about how we may be able to support your work.

Dudley Libraries have been asked to circulate a questionnaire in order to establish the social care needs of local community members.

25/03/2015

March 2015 Potential Graduate Employment Opportunity
We may have an opportunity to employ a Graduate / Under Graduate for a limited period as a Researcher. The post will be paid well, and will provide an excellent work experience opportunity for the right person.
Please get back to Wider Impact Director, Edwin Lewis at [email protected] if it is you, or you know someone who may fit the bill.
Please feel to circulate as you feel appropriate.

24/03/2015

The Department for Communities and Local Government launched a £250,000 fund to support projects that empower women today. This is an exciting and new opportunity for charities and voluntary groups to bid for between £2,000 – £20,000 to support work that will empower women and give them the skills and confidence to take a full Read more

18/03/2015

Thanks to Stoke on Trent 6th Form College
rsz_6th_form_workshopThanks to staff and students at the Stoke on Trent 6th Form College for their support with our independent evaluation of the Ceramic Skills Academy – see http://www.widerimpact.com/october-2014-wider-impact-commissioned-evaluate-ceramic-skills-academy-programme
There input has proved extremely useful and informative!
Please do not hesitate to get back to me if you feel you can assist with the evaluation, or want to find out more about how we can support your work.
Kindest regards
Edwin :-)

10/03/2015

An excellent workshop linked to the quality of care for diabetes suffers
rsz_swicdaA rewarding day today at a SWiCDA workshop as part of our independent impact evaluation of the Skills for Care funded SWiCDA Project aimed at ‘Improving the Quality of Care for Diabetes Sufferers’ - see link http://www.widerimpact.com/september-2014-wider-impact-evaluate-skills-care-funded-project
Those involved in the delivery (seated) are amazing, and I am looking forward to meeting them in their workplaces as we carry out case studies.
Please do not hesitate to get back to me if you would value more information about this commission, or you are looking for similar support with a project you may be delivering.
Kindest regards
Edwin :-)

09/03/2015

March 2015 Wider Impact Commended for the Submission of Groundbreaking & Innovative Reports
rsz_family_network_meeting_11_juneWider Impact has been commended for the quality of our evaluation of the Lottery funded Oldbury based SinglePoint Project, which aims to deliver a range of recreational, educational, enrichment and support activities for children, families and local community members.
Methodology included desk research and extensive field research, which as this photograph highlights, included meeting, surveying and interviewing Service Users, members of the wider local community and other key stakeholders.
Findings include a number of recommendations, which aim to assist in securing the sustainable future of this excellent and worthwhile project.
Community Involvement Managers Lisa Harrison and Eve Loveridge say, ‘We would like to commend and extend a huge thank you to Wider Impact. The independent evaluation process has been hugely beneficial for the SinglePoint Project, our Staff Team and ultimately the people who access our services. The insight, and reflection of the Project has been invaluable.
Edwin totally understood the ethos of SinglePoint and was able to translate this into print and film. His support has ensured that we are in a fantastic position to exceed our ambitious targets with a sound knowledge base and positive focus.

02/03/2015

Really pleased to support such a worthy project!
We are really pleased to have the opportunity to carry out an independent evaluation of the Lottery funded Dudley CAB Money Confidence Project – see link http://www.widerimpact.com/march-2015-wider-impact-commissioned-evaluate-lottery-funded-dudley-cab-project
Such work is important to us, as our reports and findings play a key role in the future and sustainability of such excellent work carried out by such special people!
Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you want to find out more about what we do.
Kindest regards
Edwin :-)

02/03/2015

March 2015 Wider Impact Commissioned to Evaluate Lottery Funded Dudley CAB Project
rsz_1doc_2Wider Impact is delighted to be commissioned to carry out an independent evaluation of the Lottery funded Dudley CAB Money Confidence Project, which aims to provide an easily accessible, timely and personalised continuing support service (incorporating aftercare) for people with mental health issues, who are struggling to cope with dept and feel unable to manage their money; so much so that it is having a negative impact on their health and well-being.
Evaluation commissioner, Liz Jones (Dudley CAB Money Advice Manager) (pictured) says, ‘We are looking forward to this independent evaluation by Wider Impact, which will provide a steer on how the Project is achieving objectives and recommendations on the way forward‘.
Wider Impact Director Edwin Lewis (pictured) says, ‘We are extremely interested in hearing from anyone who can add value to this commission and encourage input from service users, partner agency members and other key stakeholders‘.