Case studies

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.