Our services

Project and programme management

We provide temporary project / programme management services on a contract basis (full time or part time).  Recent programme management roles include:  Programme Manager for the £4.5m Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire LEP’s Stafford and South Staffordshire Building Better Opportunities project which seeks to support those furthest from the labour market in finding a job; the management of the voluntary sector Controlling Migration Fund grants programme (£550k) for the West Midlands Strategic Migration Partnership and Project Manager for the £1.5m ERDF Enterprise Coaches project in Staffordshire for Business Enterprise Support Ltd.

Research and Evaluation

We provide research and evaluation services to help organisations investigate, understand and evidence a wide range of issues in relation to community regeneration and economic development, including, for example, demand for new housing or workspace, the effectiveness of business support services, customer experiences in using a service or facility, undertaking market research and community consultation. Our aim is to combine research and evaluation services with the preparation of plans and strategies that turn research and evaluation findings into practical actions that have genuine application. Recent projects include the evaluation of Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s Creative Industries Business Development Programme and the undertaking of community consultations for Task Works CIC in relation to its bid to manage the Minster Hall Community Centre in Lichfield, Staffordshire.

Interim Management

From time to time, organisations need extra capacity and/or expertise to deliver their projects and services. We can provide that extra capacity on a flexible basis to suit your needs; it might be one day a week for four weeks, full time for six months or just the odd day here and there. Our aim is to give the people we work with control over how and when they use our expertise and capacity.

Community projects & services

Community groups up and down the country do great things to make their towns, villages and neighbourhoods better places to live.  In so doing they often take on the challenges of doing something new and exciting where an extra pair of hands and some additional expertise can be of real assistance.  Whether starting a new youth club, running a community centre or providing a new community service, we provide support in developing ideas, in consulting residents, in forming a project management group or new organisation, in getting other organisations to support, in preparing a business plan and in writing and submitting proposals for funding.

Enterprise

Starting and running a new business, whether private or a social undertaking, can be a big step.  Unlike private businesses, social enterprises have to strike a balance between making a profit from their trading activities and delivering social, environmental and economic benefits for the wider community.  We can help by supporting the business planning process.  We can help to evaluate the business idea, to explore what the reality of the market opportunity might be, to set goals and targets, to prepare financial plans, to develop the pricing strategy and to decide what should be the most appropriate structure and legal model for the business.  We can also help with getting the initial funding you might need to get started.

Funding

Finding funding to deliver projects, to start a new service or expand a business can often be a daunting prospect; key hurdles that need to be overcome include where to go, how much to ask for,  how to make the ‘business case’, how to provide evidence of need, proving that the funders money will be well spent and demonstrating  ability to deliver the project, service or business idea.  We have over two decades of experience in supporting all kinds of organisations in accessing funding, including community groups, local authorities, voluntary organisations, the NHS and social enterprises.  We recently helped a social enterprise in winning over £1m in European Regional Development Fund grant.  Other examples include £500k Reaching Communities Big Lottery funding for an East London Youth Club and £230K for a community centre in Torbay.  We have also recently supported two social enterprises in the preparation of competitive tenders for the delivery of business support and mental health services.