Organisations creating better futures shortlisted for awards!

08/04/2009

Fifteen organisations ensuring that better futures are being created in communities throughout Yorkshire and Humber have been shortlisted for seven prestigious awards, to be given by the Regional Development Agency Yorkshire Forward.

The Creating Better Futures Awards will take place on Thursday 16th April and will highlight successful partnerships between the private sector and voluntary, community and faith organisations. The awards aim to demonstrate true partnership working and encourage the sharing and development of skills, knowledge and best practice within the community for its economic development.

Thea Stein, Executive Director of Economic Inclusion at Yorkshire Forward comments: “In a challenging environment engaging with communities is vital in gaining a competitive edge. Businesses with a public commitment to ethics perform better, achieve higher profits and improved reputation and customer loyalty. The business benefits are clear.

“The Creating Better Futures Awards show how companies have engaged with their local communities and the real impact this has had on their business. They also show what a difference can be made in the community when a business offers support to a local organisation or project.”

This year, a new award for a partnership between a public sector body and a voluntary, community or faith organisation recognises the key role that the public sector can have in supporting and promoting the work that voluntary sector bodies carry out in the region.

Calderdale Cares and Project Challenge with RSA Group, Pennine Housing 2000, Marshalls plc, the Halifax, and Calderdale College have built on the work of ‘Project Challenge’, which aims to change the attitudes, behaviour and involvement of young people through a six-month training Programme to assist them in training or work, and to develop further their self-confidence.

Leeds-based Create has been working with Barclays since its inception in 2007. The most recent joint venture has been the launch of the first Café Create in October 2008. Barclays provides both financial and practical support to Create as it works to provide employment opportunities to adults who have experienced homelessness or who have been through the criminal justice system.

The Sheffield based Engineering Education Scheme works with N G Bailey to provide a programme of the Engineering Development Trust (EDT) linking Year 12 school students and their teachers with local companies to work on scientific, engineering and technical problems.

Bradford based Holme Christian Community and Incommunities have worked together to invested in improving the housing and neighbourhoods where their tenants live.

The Craven Volunteer Centre and Ermysted’s Grammar School have been working together to ensure that young people become more involved in their community and benefit from increased self-confidence and new skills as part of this process. 

Leeds based Learning Partnerships works with Addleshaw Goddard to provide a school literacy programme including communication skills, self-esteem and confidence, and increasing pupils’ motivation to do well at school.

The Leeds Community Foundation and Leeds Ahead with Leeds City Council has been working to narrow the gap between the city’s more deprived communities and the relative wealth which is enjoyed by the rest of Leeds.

Leeds Mencap and Connaught Partnerships Ltd have joined forces to give Mencap’s Hawthorne Lodge Family Support Centre a makeover. Leeds Mencap has been designated Connaught’s Charity of the Year, which has helped with the charity’s fundraising and volunteering needs.

Meanwood Valley Urban Farm has worked with Zurich Commercial since 2002 in a conservation challenge project at Meanwood, working with children from inner-city schools, young people with low levels of skills and confidence, and adults with learning disabilities.

Bradford based Mind the Gap and developer Urban Splash have worked together to find a permanent home for the charity. They now occupy studios in the Silk Warehouse at Lister Mills. The two organisations are continuing to work together to ensure that the diversity Mind the Gap brings to Manningham continues to be supported.

Southey and Owlerton Area Regeneration (SOAR), Keepmoat and Sheffield Homes have formed SOAR Build, a 50/50 joint venture social enterprise. This new enterprise is improving housing in the area and, at the same time, providing training in construction skills for local people.

The South Yorkshire Probation Service and Emmaus Sheffield have been working together for a number of years to try to ensure that ex-offenders get a better chance for the future; offering training, support and employment opportunities.

The Children’s Hospital Charity and Sheffield Wednesday Football Club have worked together for a number of years with the Club providing both financial and personal support with players visiting the hospital on a regular basis. The Club has replaced their football strip commercial sponsorship deal with The Children’s Hospital Charity branding, to promote the work of the hospital.

Victim Support Humber and Humberside Criminal Justice Board have been working in partnership to develop a new service for vulnerable or intimidated victims and witnesses. The partnership also works in two prisons with inmates to ensure that they become aware of the effects that their crimes have on their victims, with the aim of reducing re-offending.

Wakefield Society for Deaf People and West Yorkshire Fire Rescue Service are working together to improve provision for people with hearing problems. The Service’s aim to contribute to community wellbeing and safety is being developed through their partnership with the Society.

For more information about the awards please visit www.yorkshire-forward.com/cbfawards10.

ENDS

Notes to Editors
For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact Leona Thompson, Press Manager on 0113 3949589 or email Leona.thompson@yorkshire-forward.com

Yorkshire Forward
• Yorkshire Forward is the Regional Development Agency behind the economic regeneration of Yorkshire and Humber. It aims to make a positive difference by investing in jobs, improving towns and cities, and in supporting businesses throughout the region.
• Yorkshire Forward’s investment across the region is maximised by attracting European Regional Development Funding from the Objectives One and Two programmes and the 2007-2013 Regional Competitiveness and Employment Programmes.