Case studies archive

The law firm bought digital camera equipment for each group and an initial briefing session was held in the law firm's office over the summer when the young people were introduced to the project and to staff at Pinsent Masons. One Click Photography ran a workshop session at the law firm to introduce the young people to photography techniques and to show them how to use the equipment. The young people were then entrusted with the equipment for three months with a brief to take images of their communities through their own eyes. During Autumn half term, staff from Leeds Metropolitan University's Art Department showed the young people how to edit their photographs on state of the art editing equipment. The young people also received a general introduction to higher education through the university's Aim Higher initiative. Each of the three groups then judged their photos and submitted their finest work into the Pinsent Masons competition. The best photos were blown up onto canvas to be displayed in the Pinsent Masons conference room for one year. The exhibition was launched at a gala evening event to which the young people and their friends and families were invited. Each received a cash prize and a reference from the business. Direct benefit Apart from the new skills developed by the young people and the opportunity they had to work with business and a university on a collaborative project, for two of the young people the project led directly into jobs. They impressed the firm so much during the project that they were offered firstly work placements and then full time jobs in the facilities department of the law firm, saving the firm recruitment costs!

Pinsent Masons has developed the programme further in 2007 with the aim of bringing fresh images from inner city communities into the firm's city centre offices on an annual basis and formalising the work placement programme to introduce up to six further young people to the world of work over the next 12 months.
Images

Leeds Ahead brought the three parties in this project together to identify the needs of the particular beneficiary group and to set objectives for the training. Key to these initial discussions with Archway, O2 and Pinsent Masons was the emphasis on tailoring the training materials and general approach to young people who had little or no experience of the workplace, low self esteem and a range of perceived or actual barriers to employment. 

The programme comprised four sessions focusing on: Communications Skills, Confidence Building, Interview Techniques and Interview Preparation. These sessions were delivered in a variety of locations, including 02's own offices. A fifth stage involved individual interview practice at Pinsent Masons followed by a celebration event. Structured work placements were then offered within the firm for three of the young people. The sessions were designed and delivered by a total of eight O2 and Pinsent Mason volunteers with expertise in training and interviewing.  Five young people benefited from the initial programme.

The young people's capabilities were stretched and the sessions were well structured and interactive. Archway reported that ‘Real life work experiences in a ‘safe' environment are a valuable part of building confidence, motivation, self esteem and, ultimately, supporting young people towards employment.'

Leeds Ahead is working with O2, Pinsent Masons and other business partners to put together similar programmes to benefit a wide range of other groups that face barriers to employment.  

Leeds Ahead organised an ‘Employment and Training Fair'. HMP, Manchester College and Job Centre Plus helped with entry clearance to the prison for all the employers and training providers. They also made the necessary internal arrangements in order to allow inmates to to attend the fair.

31 Employers and Training Providers attended with stands in the prison. The entire prison population of Armley Jail was given the opportunity to attend. On the day, 112 inmates attended entirely voluntarily. They were able to meet and talk to employers and training providers about their individual circumstances and aspirations.

Within one month of the event five offenders had left prison and taken up employment as a direct result of the jobs fair.

The fair enabled prisoners who were shortly to be released to meet the people who can help, such as employers that are prepared to accept job applications, and training providers.

The day was such a success that HMP have asked for two further events per year. Leeds Ahead will continue its role of engaging with business and persuading them of the benefits of supporting the Employers Pledge.

Employers who already support the Pledge are happy to discuss the 'business case" for involvement with other businesses. This can be arranged through Leeds Ahead.

Parties involved

Leeds Ahead, HMP, Job Centre Plus, Best Ltd, WYCCP, DISC, A4E, Business Link, Cathedral Centre Bradford, Barca Leeds, Leeds City Council Jobs & Skills (LIEP), Staff Smart UK, Leeds Libraries, The Prince's Trust, Leeds City Credit Union, Turning Point Wakefield, Places for People Neighbourhoods, SRC Training, Heads Together Media, Baker Harding, Timpsons, Construction Leeds, Pegasus Recruitment, Hewlett Civil Engineering, Leeds City Council and Remploy.

Quotes from businesses

I never knew this stuff went on in prison. I'm grateful to be involved'

I'd be delighted to come back again'

It's been an interesting day, very useful to me and my company'

Approx 112 prisoners attended throughout the day and their comments included:

'I've been in and out of prison for 20 years and I've never seen anything like this'

' There's a lot of things here I'm really interested in, I've got no excuses now'

'There are people here willing to give me a chance'

Click on the link below to hear interviews from the day:

http://www.elfm.co.uk/2008/04/out-of-armley/

The law firm bought digital camera equipment for each group and an initial briefing session was held in the law firm's office over the summer when the young people were introduced to the project and to staff at Pinsent Masons. One Click Photography ran a workshop session at the law firm to introduce the young people to photography techniques and to show them how to use the equipment. The young people were then entrusted with the equipment for three months with a brief to take images of their communities through their own eyes. During Autumn half term, staff from Leeds Metropolitan University's Art Department showed the young people how to edit their photographs on state of the art editing equipment. The young people also received a general introduction to higher education through the university's Aim Higher initiative. Each of the three groups then judged their photos and submitted their finest work into the Pinsent Masons competition. The best photos were blown up onto canvas to be displayed in the Pinsent Masons conference room for one year. The exhibition was launched at a gala evening event to which the young people and their friends and families were invited. Each received a cash prize and a reference from the business. Direct benefit Apart from the new skills developed by the young people and the opportunity they had to work with business and a university on a collaborative project, for two of the young people the project led directly into jobs. They impressed the firm so much during the project that they were offered firstly work placements and then full time jobs in the facilities department of the law firm, saving the firm recruitment costs!

Pinsent Masons has developed the programme further in 2007 with the aim of bringing fresh images from inner city communities into the firm's city centre offices on an annual basis and formalising the work placement programme to introduce up to six further young people to the world of work over the next 12 months.
Images

Leeds Ahead identified the projects in partnership with local organisations, re'new and Friends of Middleton Park. Staff from Ernst & Young were involved in the planning and preparation of the Awayday for two months beforehand to ensure success on the day.

 

Swillington Organic Farm - volunteers cleared a nature trail, built a bridge, redecorated a classroom and laid a boardwalk, to allow schoolchildren to make full use of the facilities.

Richmond Hill, Cross Green and Lincoln Green - volunteers carried out a neighbourhood litter-pick and tidy-up in conjunction with re-new and the active involvement of ten local community organisations.

Middleton Park - volunteers helped a local community organisation, Friends of Middleton Park, with general maintenance of the park.

More than 660 volunteering hours were spent in one of the city's largest Corporate Responsibility days to date. By working with different community partners the volunteers delivered tangible environmental improvements across the city in one day.

The volunteers helped deliver environmental improvements by creating a cleaner and greener environment for those living in the neighbourhoods. The volunteers provided manpower that is not otherwise available and their activities received a warm welcome from local residents.

Ernst & Young Managing partner, Philip Hilling said "Corporate responsibility is not only about giving something back to the community, it also helps develop and expand people's experience and skills, which in turn benefits them in their day-to-day working lives."

Ernst & Young will continue to work with Leeds Ahead to broker a staff into a range of projects under our five strands.   Leeds Ahead will also continue to work with the community partners to broker other businesses in to support thier work.

Leeds Ahead matched Bill's requirements with the expertise of Stuart Marquis, Quality & Efficiency Programme Manager, from Yorkshire Bank and a fruitful mentoring relationship has developed over the ensuing three years.  In particular, Bill has found helpful the business and enterprise advice and support provided by Stuart. ‘Stuart has assisted on a number of levels including developing our business planning and strategy and planning away days with the Management Committee. It is really useful to have discussions with someone with the business skills and experience that Stuart can bring to an organisation like ours.'  With Stuart's input, Care and Repair have developed a social enterprise that is held up as a model of good practice nationally.

But it isn't just Care & Repair that has benefited from the relationship.  Stuart has also found the experience worthwhile.  ‘Working through community issues and helping to develop ideas has been a great two way process and learning experience for me. From my perspective there have been two really good insights. Firstly, by putting myself in Bill's shoes as the community leader and understanding the challenges faced by the not for profit sector, it has given me a different business perspective. Secondly, in terms of balance - ensuring that I continued to act as facilitator rather than follow my natural instinct to step in and become the problem solver. I have also been invigorated by the dedication and passion in the way that Bill and the team go about their work.' 

This ongoing long-term enterprise support has helped Care & Repair improve their business skills and develop new ways of working, and as of October 2007, Stuart has been voted on to the Care & Repair Management Committee.

 

Leeds Ahead offered the furniture through its network of community contacts and then arranged what would be distributed to each of the groups. A significant amount of the furniture was also made available to new enterprise catalyst centres in Beeston and Harehills to support Sharing the Success, the city's Local Enterprise Growth Initiative Programme.

Nine voluntary and community sector organisations benefited from a total of over £7.5k worth of office furniture and equipment.  The furniture delivery was arranged by Eversheds so arrived at the community groups at no cost to them. Eversheds was also able to recycle much of its furniture

Leeds Ahead identified a number of businesses that were able to support the feasibility project in different ways. Tiger 11 received advice on legal structures from Wrigleys solicitors, help from architects Brewster Bye and interior designer Ann Clements on the design of the premises, support from Nisbet LLP quantity surveyors and Unity Housing on costing out the building work and operating costs, and project management support from the Camberwell Project. Meanwhile, solicitors DLA Piper agreed to draft tenancy agreements.

The results of the feasibility study were collated and presented by the Leeds team in the bid for enterprise funding in late 2006. As a result, £20.6m of funding has been won from govenrment to support the development of enterprise in the most deprived areas of Leeds. Thanks to the upfront work done by these businesses, the Tiger 11 plans are now being implemented, along with many other catalyst centres in other parts of the city. Solicitors DLA Piper have continued to advise Tiger 11, representing them on the transfer of the school premises from the local authority to the Trust and in relation to their funding arrangements.

Jeremy Morton of Tiger 11 said ‘The support through Leeds Ahead was excellent and invaluable. As a new community organisation taking on a large building project we were struggling to make progress until Leeds Ahead brought a range of professionals to bear on the project.' The project benefited the city more generally, helping to win £20.6m to fund enterprise development in inner city areas. Finally, the businesses themselves benefited. Many of them, brought together through this project, have gone on to do business with each other on other projects.

Tiger 11 formally opened for business in summer 2008 and offers a range of facilities to local people to help them set up their own businesses. Leeds Ahead still have an ongoing role in linking existing businesses into the centre to offer encouragement, build a vibrant network and help local people to develop their enterprise ideas.

Leeds Ahead approached Chris Mclean from CMC Consulting, who offered to become Steve's mentor during this period of change.  Chris was previously head of organisational development for a large primary care trust so had significant experience in developing organisational excellence through developing people and human systems.  She is also a qualified personal performance coach and neuro linguistic programming practitioner.   

Whilst still in the early days of this arrangement, Steve reports that 'so far the sessions and information have been tremendously helpful.  I have set some targets which involve meeting with the staff to build team strength, and I have gained clarity on what I need to do going forward'. Chris reports that 'Being a mentor is definitely a two way learning process; I get as much out of the sessions as the mentee, such as improving my coaching skills, deepening my understanding of the challenges and ways of working in other organisations, and really helping to widen my horizons and step out of my comfort zone. I would definitely recommend it to others.'

The deputy head of the school went on an approved course to learn about the creation of pond areas. Yorkshire Transformations Ltd, who were carrying out a PFI housing project in the area, agreed to use their equipment and expertise to excavate the pond, mark out the area, secure it with fencing and remove surplus soil.

Follow on work was carried out by a team of 30 volunteers from RBS who shaped the pond, prepared the lining and materials, landscaped the area and filled the pond using tools and equipment supplied by the Groundwork Trust. CTP St James provide a cash contribution towards the cost of fencing.

The children (and all the staff) at the school celebrated the day by coming to school dressed as a ‘pond creature'. The school was alive with a fabulous range of exotic pond creatures: spiders, frogspawn; dragon flys; toads; frogs; beetles!

The school is now involving children in introducing pond life and plants to create a truly magnificent natural habitat.

This habitat will add much value to the learning experience of children by bringing to life the curriculum in a fun and hands-on way.

This project has attracted the attention of other schools in the area, who have approached Leeds Ahead for similar schemes.

Leeds Ahead identified the projects in partnership with local organisations, re'new and Friends of Middleton Park. Staff from Ernst & Young were involved in the planning and preparation of the Awayday for two months beforehand to ensure success on the day.

 

Swillington Organic Farm - volunteers cleared a nature trail, built a bridge, redecorated a classroom and laid a boardwalk, to allow schoolchildren to make full use of the facilities.

Richmond Hill, Cross Green and Lincoln Green - volunteers carried out a neighbourhood litter-pick and tidy-up in conjunction with re-new and the active involvement of ten local community organisations.

Middleton Park - volunteers helped a local community organisation, Friends of Middleton Park, with general maintenance of the park.

More than 660 volunteering hours were spent in one of the city's largest Corporate Responsibility days to date. By working with different community partners the volunteers delivered tangible environmental improvements across the city in one day.

The volunteers helped deliver environmental improvements by creating a cleaner and greener environment for those living in the neighbourhoods. The volunteers provided manpower that is not otherwise available and their activities received a warm welcome from local residents.

Ernst & Young Managing partner, Philip Hilling said "Corporate responsibility is not only about giving something back to the community, it also helps develop and expand people's experience and skills, which in turn benefits them in their day-to-day working lives."

Ernst & Young will continue to work with Leeds Ahead to broker a staff into a range of projects under our five strands.   Leeds Ahead will also continue to work with the community partners to broker other businesses in to support thier work.

Leeds Ahead matched Bill's requirements with the expertise of Stuart Marquis, Quality & Efficiency Programme Manager, from Yorkshire Bank and a fruitful mentoring relationship has developed over the ensuing three years.  In particular, Bill has found helpful the business and enterprise advice and support provided by Stuart. ‘Stuart has assisted on a number of levels including developing our business planning and strategy and planning away days with the Management Committee. It is really useful to have discussions with someone with the business skills and experience that Stuart can bring to an organisation like ours.'  With Stuart's input, Care and Repair have developed a social enterprise that is held up as a model of good practice nationally.

But it isn't just Care & Repair that has benefited from the relationship.  Stuart has also found the experience worthwhile.  ‘Working through community issues and helping to develop ideas has been a great two way process and learning experience for me. From my perspective there have been two really good insights. Firstly, by putting myself in Bill's shoes as the community leader and understanding the challenges faced by the not for profit sector, it has given me a different business perspective. Secondly, in terms of balance - ensuring that I continued to act as facilitator rather than follow my natural instinct to step in and become the problem solver. I have also been invigorated by the dedication and passion in the way that Bill and the team go about their work.' 

This ongoing long-term enterprise support has helped Care & Repair improve their business skills and develop new ways of working, and as of October 2007, Stuart has been voted on to the Care & Repair Management Committee.

 

Leeds Ahead identified a number of businesses that were able to support the feasibility project in different ways. Tiger 11 received advice on legal structures from Wrigleys solicitors, help from architects Brewster Bye and interior designer Ann Clements on the design of the premises, support from Nisbet LLP quantity surveyors and Unity Housing on costing out the building work and operating costs, and project management support from the Camberwell Project. Meanwhile, solicitors DLA Piper agreed to draft tenancy agreements.

The results of the feasibility study were collated and presented by the Leeds team in the bid for enterprise funding in late 2006. As a result, £20.6m of funding has been won from govenrment to support the development of enterprise in the most deprived areas of Leeds. Thanks to the upfront work done by these businesses, the Tiger 11 plans are now being implemented, along with many other catalyst centres in other parts of the city. Solicitors DLA Piper have continued to advise Tiger 11, representing them on the transfer of the school premises from the local authority to the Trust and in relation to their funding arrangements.

Jeremy Morton of Tiger 11 said ‘The support through Leeds Ahead was excellent and invaluable. As a new community organisation taking on a large building project we were struggling to make progress until Leeds Ahead brought a range of professionals to bear on the project.' The project benefited the city more generally, helping to win £20.6m to fund enterprise development in inner city areas. Finally, the businesses themselves benefited. Many of them, brought together through this project, have gone on to do business with each other on other projects.

Tiger 11 formally opened for business in summer 2008 and offers a range of facilities to local people to help them set up their own businesses. Leeds Ahead still have an ongoing role in linking existing businesses into the centre to offer encouragement, build a vibrant network and help local people to develop their enterprise ideas.

In April 2008 the business was just about to start to trade and Nadeem was aware that he needed support to help develop the commercial infrastructure of the company to ensure that the business was judged upon its merit as a professional contractor, rather than a social project or charity. Leeds Ahead discussed Nadeem's requirements for a mentor and established the area of business expertise that Nadeem and his business could benefit from. Through Leeds Ahead's business network, a suitable mentor was identified. John Hayton of Hayton Accountancy offered to mentor Nadeem and the two parties were brought together by Leeds Ahead for an initial meeting to ensure the proposed match was suitable.  John's previous experience with a significant local contractor was just as relevant as his financial business acumen and having set up his own business himself, he understood some of the challenges faced by Nadeem.  Nadeem reports that John has been an outstanding support to the business and has offered a wealth of information and guidance whenever it has been required - on a range of issues. Nadeem said ‘John's expertise and knowledge are invaluable to our organisation at this time.  It has allowed the business to develop a robust infrastructure which conforms to all legal requirements, and without his contribution we would have struggled to develop this and made many more mistakes along the way.  Having John's support allows UCI to get real advice in areas where previously we would have had neither any reference nor previous experience.'

The benefits have not been one-sided however; John has also found the relationship beneficial.  ‘Mentoring has been a marvellous experience for me.  After just a few meetings, we have developed a real rapport which allows us both to benefit from the relationship.  As well as getting a great sense of satisfaction, I am learning a lot about my mentee's business sector which adds another string to my bow."

The deputy head of the school went on an approved course to learn about the creation of pond areas. Yorkshire Transformations Ltd, who were carrying out a PFI housing project in the area, agreed to use their equipment and expertise to excavate the pond, mark out the area, secure it with fencing and remove surplus soil.

Follow on work was carried out by a team of 30 volunteers from RBS who shaped the pond, prepared the lining and materials, landscaped the area and filled the pond using tools and equipment supplied by the Groundwork Trust. CTP St James provide a cash contribution towards the cost of fencing.

The children (and all the staff) at the school celebrated the day by coming to school dressed as a ‘pond creature'. The school was alive with a fabulous range of exotic pond creatures: spiders, frogspawn; dragon flys; toads; frogs; beetles!

The school is now involving children in introducing pond life and plants to create a truly magnificent natural habitat.

This habitat will add much value to the learning experience of children by bringing to life the curriculum in a fun and hands-on way.

This project has attracted the attention of other schools in the area, who have approached Leeds Ahead for similar schemes.

For the last year, the students have been benefiting from a structured literacy and numeracy programme delivered by mentors who are employees at the law firm. As a reward for working hard throughout the year, the students who have been mentored each week of term by the law firm's staff were invited to the firm's  city-centre premises in Park Row. On arrival, the students were treated to lunch in the Boardroom followed by a presentation by staff on the different career opportunities available within the firm. These ranged from jobs in the legal departments to careers in maintenance and security, reception, catering and IT. Finally, the students teamed up with their mentors and were given a full tour of the building.  Peter Nuttall, the school's relationship manager with the firm, stated that "the majority of the pupils would have no other opportunity to experience something of this kind. Our pupils can also see that getting a job in an organisation like Pinsent Masons is a realistic aspiration". This is the second year that the firm has conducted work place visits for the students and has now formally integrated the visit into the third term of the mentoring programme. It has already become renowned within the school and the students look forward to it all year!