turning dreams into reality
“
Youth is,
after all, just a moment, but it is the moment, the spark, that you always carry in your heart�. Raisa M Gorbachev
Welcome to Inspira
We are a powerful and dynamic organisation dedicated to inspiring and supporting people as they take key decisions to shape their own futures.
Our experts help them individually with some of the most critical life choices they will ever have to make. But Inspira teams also work with other organisations in the field to help them reach their corporate aims and objectives—innovatively, efficiently and cost-effectively. Our record of achievement is firmly underpinned by the strategic partnership we have enjoyed with Cumbria County Council since 2001 and which we look forward to developing further in years to come.
The excellent reputation of our people is built on demonstrable success, and Inspira itself is constantly seeking new challenges and opportunities to serve communities nationwide.
Mark Bowman Chief Executive
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www.inspira.org.uk
Inspiring Success
Inspira is an award winning, Cumbrian based social enterprise company with a national reputation. We are a delivery-based provider of community services, and our name reflects our purpose which is to inspire people, organisations and communities to be successful. Success has many different dimensions, according to ability and aspiration. A minor, everyday achievement for one person may be a major triumph in overcoming obstacles for another. At Inspira, our aim is to help individuals and groups recognise their potential, identify and define what success means for them, and then help them gain the confidence to achieve it, particularly through careers guidance and youth support. Our roots run deep. We were created in 2001 following the Learning and Skills Act, as part of a Government-funded partnership service for young people. We are built on the long-established and nationally-recognised name of Connexions Cumbria. Inspira is our new brand name, but individual services will continue using their current names. Our branches spread widely, both geographically and in the scope of our activities. We offer comprehensive solutions to a wide variety of social challenges, including delivery of statutory services to public bodies and strategic support for local authority programmes supporting young people in the community. We are a people business, inside as well as outside; a talented, multi-faceted team, experienced in all aspects of community work, social behaviours and project planning and management. We work in partnership with many organisations nationwide, providing invaluable, expert input.
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Dedication to Challenge
When you identify a need, we provide the solution and deliver the service. In the delivery of careers guidance and youth work, interaction can take place on many levels and between different groups. These might be face-to-face, in the classroom, in advice centres or with social agencies. Our aim is to achieve the most effective outcome for young people and adults as they make their way through transitional stages of their lives. We take account of their environment and the expectations of others, but their individual needs take precedence. We seek to build inspired, innovative solutions that set them firmly on the path to a secure, fulfilling future. Our Objective: To inspire people to realise their dreams by providing a support service that meets their individual needs, raises their aspirations and encourages them to continue developing throughout their lives. Our depth of experience enables us to extend our services to other areas of social need by assembling specialist teams with relevant expertise, dedicated to answering your challenge. You may want to fulfil a statutory service or develop a community-wide programme. You might be concerned about a social issue affecting a particular individual or group of young people, for example, the homeless. Or, perhaps you want to address an information gap that is undermining a project’s progress. We listen, question and research until we completely understand the goal, then search for the best solutions. We test these proposed solutions, then develop bespoke programmes to ensure their effective implementation, continuously seeking to identify new needs and improve ourselves. We know that every service requirement is unique and we do not have formulaic responses.
“There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.� Nelson Mandela
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Hands-On Expertise
Although every programme is unique, both in requirements and solutions, the way we work follows an agreed path and common principles. We build structured teams of dynamic professionals to deliver comprehensive community support services or create highly-effective one-off strategies. Our approach can be: Strategic – structuring programmes and services within the broader context of strategy, policy or statutory requirement Wide-ranging – embracing many areas of social need, and broad-scope activities such as youth support Focused – able to tackle even the most complex project single-mindedly Guiding – providing direction and support on future actions Influencing – playing a more subtle role to stimulate activities and responses Implementing – putting services and approved recommendations into action Managing – overseeing successful programme fulfilment and ensuring compliance with statutory requirements Proactive – acting as a catalyst for action when we see a need or an opportunity for service improvement
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Effective communication is important to us. We agree measures of success at the outset, report regularly on progress, and seek feedback as part of a process of continuous improvement. We look for opportunities to innovate and to exploit technology, but we do not reinvent the wheel. Staying abreast of social enterprise developments and maintaining links with academics and other experts gives us access to current best practice and expertise.
“The company has developed the ability to tender for and win further funded projects to support a wide range of client support initiatives due to the successes achieved in its core provision.” Investors in People 04
Team Strength
At Inspira, our key strength is the way we support each other. We respect each other's individualism but we are a team in every sense, working together to provide great service and sound solutions. Our team is accomplished in providing guidance and support for young people and adults. When we need outside expertise, we do not hesitate to get it. For some social enterprise projects, we hand-pick, brief and train new team members. Our passion and knowledge is shared throughout the entire organisation. Here is our code: We have the common goal of serving the needs of our clients, building relationships and earning their trust We train for success, keeping up-to-date with the latest thinking and best-practice in our service We show mutual respect for each other by behaving openly and honestly, as we do with our clients We support and inspire each other with direct help, ideas and suggestions when needed We keep each other informed of our progress, mindful of how our work impacts on others We challenge the status quo and constantly seek to improve
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Collectively, we make a point of acknowledging that each member of the Inspira team is accountable for their own actions and outcomes. We encourage staff to be self-critical and to recognise others' achievements. We celebrate diversity and seek to exploit individuals’ strengths to the benefit of all. Finally, and importantly, we work together with good humour, celebrate our success and have fun in the process.
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Encouraging Participation
We seek to inspire people. In turn, they often show us new ways of looking at situations and galvanise our activities with their skills and attitudes. Youth support relies on participation not just from young people, but also their families and learning providers, as well as government bodies and other leading social enterprise and not-for-profit organisations. Much of our work involves formal or informal partnerships, where we share the common objective of helping others identify and fulfil their aspirations. In the broader field of social enterprise, we work with: Schools, academies, sixth forms, colleges and training providers Local and national businesses - as employers, concerned members of communities, programme sponsors and providers of resources Local Authorities Partners and consortia Universities - as key sources of knowledge, guidance, advice and ideas Public agencies such as health, housing and law enforcement services, as concerned providers of support services Third sector, charities, other social enterprises and not-for-profit organisations
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We appreciate that by working with others we can achieve even more than we do alone. Each person working with us plays an important role in framing our activities and providing feedback on our performance. They also help us to prioritise solutions and budgets. Our board members bring special expertise, support and advice to provide strategic direction, but we listen to all views with care and act in response to them.
“An organisation providing clear strategic and operational direction.” Ofsted 06
Achieving Results
We measure our performance by comparing our results to the high standards we set, and by analysing our feedback. We are also proud to earn external recognition for our efforts. We believe the high standards we achieve reflect the passion we commit to our work.
• We have had over one million personal contacts with young people • • • • • •
resulting in 60,000+ young people placed into education, employment and training We received recognition from the Institute of Careers Guidance for our groundbreaking and innovative work with pre 14 year olds We have maintained a solid financial performance despite nationwide economic stringency We hold the Matrix Standard, which sets rigorous criteria for delivering Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) We hold the National Youth Agency’s Quality Mark, which recognises high quality services and support in organisations working with young people One of our team was named National Guidance Practitioner of the Year 2011 by the Institute of Careers Guidance In a recent survey 94% of young people said our services were easy to use and felt we respected and listened to them
However, we believe there is always an opportunity to do better. We do not rest on our laurels.
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Changing Lives
Case Study 1 Helping Young People Grow Like so many young people, Adam had no clear idea of what he wanted to do. Amidst the often bewildering array of teenage diversions, careful, thoughtful consideration of a fulfilling way forward in life was not high on his agenda. We got to know Adam well. As we listened to him, it was possible to draw out where a rewarding future might lie. His skills, aptitude and interests suggested a possible career in mechanical engineering. We helped him with his CV and arranged for him to go to relevant careers events. We even rang him up to remind him to attend! In short, we treated him as an individual, opened his eyes and widened his horizons. Adam received three apprenticeship offers and now works happily and successfully for a major engineering company. He may have had some difficulty looking forward, but he has never looked back.
Case Study 2 Working in Partnership Extending the philosophy that two heads are better than one, we established a large network of collaborators to help us deliver youth work. Now, we all work as a partnership to find the best training initiatives, understand policy changes and develop plans. As a result, not only do we come up with better ideas, but more people are in a position to benefit from them. We currently work throughout Cumbria and manage projects in other regions.
“I find it easier to talk to people now, and not to be that shy, which helped me with an interview I had a while ago. I got the job!� NCS participant
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Case Study 3 Developing Pilot Programmes In 2010, we were selected from hundreds of applicants to run one of twelve pilots of the Government's new National Citizen Service (NCS). This programme aims to help 16-year-old school leavers become responsible and engaged members of adult society. With seven other voluntary sector partners, we ran a challenging personal development programme for over 400 Cumbrian young people in socially mixed teams. We met 20% of the cost with direct contributions, sponsorships, in-kind assistance and other support from public and private sector organisations. Our success has been rewarded with an enhanced contract for 2012, to pilot a developed version of NCS and help introduce it in other parts of the country. This reinforces our link with central government, where we have gradually become established as a trusted partner.
“Now I have lots of hope, enthusiasm and a clear plan of where I want to be.� Participant Case Study 4 Managing Transitions As part of a national initiative, we formed a joint venture partnership with seven other social enterprise organisations. This joint venture aims to deliver high quality support for young people and adults during key transitions in their lives, in particular, focusing on employment, education and training. This partnership aspires to be the national social enterprise provider of choice for information, advice and guidance services. It has already secured significant grants from the Department for Education and is actively pursuing other bids.
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Taking Initiative
We have a listening approach that allows us to identify people’s challenges. When we find them, we see it as an opportunity to take the initiative and act to implement a solution.
We keep our fingers on the pulse of technology, encourage innovative thinking, and draw on the growing body of social enterprise knowledge. As a consequence, we are able to provide practical solutions and make positive changes to people's life experiences.
• Our innovative Wheels to Work (W2W) scooter loan scheme enables hundreds of young people without other transport to secure jobs that require them to travel to work We like to be approached. We encourage individuals, organisations and communities to tell us about their needs. We are always keen to maintain best practice, so we liaise closely with relevant experts, both academics and people working in the field.
“The bike gave me more independence.... because I was able to get a job. Then I had enough money to buy my own bike.” W2W participant
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Our Approach
We offer: Clarity of purpose – we listen to what you want and how you want us to help you achieve it Exploration – we question the most appropriate route to the solution, in light of our experience and best practice Measurable results – we agree not only your aims and objectives but the progress milestones along the way Realistic goals – we expect to deliver on time and on budget The right experts – we have the depth of expertise and breadth of experience to tackle most social issues, or we know where to find it Answers – we provide structured, workable solutions, not just reports that tell you what is wrong Satisfied stakeholders – we balance different priorities and interests, to fulfil their aspirations Improved perceptions – we participate in programmes that make a positive statement about your organisation, increasing support and commitment to it A map for the way forward – we do not see challenges in isolation, but as stepping stones to the achievement of your long term goals
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Working together
Inspira is all about partnership. Partnership with individuals. Partnership with organisations. We listen, we engage and we act, taking the lead where appropriate. Our approach is carefully-planned and structured. We communicate clearly to ensure our clients achieve the outcomes they want, on time and within budget. We work in collaboration with a wide range of organisations including:
Academies Arts Council England Big Lottery Fund Brathay Trust Carlisle Youth Zone Colleges Cumbria Alcohol & Drug Advisory Service Cumbria Chamber of Commerce Cumbria Constabulary Cumbria County Council Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service Cumbria Youth Alliance Cumbria Youth Offending Service Department for Education Department for Work and Pensions Furness Building Society GMCP
Health Bodies Jobcentre Plus Local Authorities Nacro National Apprenticeship Service Nuclear Decommissioning Authority Office for Civil Society Open College Network Schools Sellafield LTD Skills Funding Agency Social Landlords Tata Steel UK The Outward Bound Trust Training Providers University of Cumbria Young Cumbria
If you would like to learn more about our work or how we might be able to help your organisation, please get in touch.
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www.inspira.org.uk t: 01931 711300 / f: 01931 711301 e: info@inspira.org.uk Gillan Way, Penrith 40 Business Park, Penrith, CA11 9BP