We Nurture, You Grow - First Ark · We Nurture, You Grow Making a Social Impact Social Accounts...

We Nurture, You Grow

Making a Social Impact

Social AccountsSummary 2016 - 2017

First Ark Social Accounts 2016 - 2017

HelloHere at the First Ark Group, generating Social Value is at the heart of everything we do. Working at a local, regional and national level to influence the social economy, we strive to invest our money in pioneering solutions, growing businesses and bringing opportunity & prosperity to local communities.

Collaboratively, with the private, public and social sectors, we add value and create life-changing opportunities through our unique social business model.

Delivers facilities management and property refurbishment solutions across private, public, healthcare, leisure and education sectors across the North West

Works with partners to offer value for money products and services to our customers that can help them lead an independent lifestyle for longer and support their care

Provides low carbon energy solutions to reduce carbon footprints and save businesses money

Offers homes for sale, rent, shared ownership, extra care and sheltered schemes that are affordable and contribute to sustainable communities

Invests in and nurtures social enterprises to grow sustainably through Social Investment Funding

First Ark Group

Collaborates with organisations and secures investments that enable programmes to be delivered that create life-changing opportunities for people

2

Introduction

InvestmentSocial Value

Values Led

Influencing

PartnershipEnabling

ChangingPeople's

Lives

Open

1 HACT

We’ve generated

£22,786,218in Social Value

by creatinglife-changing opportunities

1

3

It’s about people really; those people who grasp the opportunities available to create better futures for themselves and their families. It’s these people that make a stronger economy, increase business productivity and build a stronger fabric on which our society can grow. It’s imperative we continue to generate more of these opportunities through the way businesses work, invest and influence.

Social businesses like First Ark are providing answers to the real socio-economic and environmental challenges we're facing in the UK. Being commercial and social in our business model, our profit is re-invested to make a significant difference to people’s lives and the places they work in.

As a business, entrepreneur, global organisation or a sole trader, considering social change as a key aim alongside profit can see income grow and new opportunities created, in such areas as employment, health & wellbeing and the environment.

I’m extremely proud of all the people who work for and with us at First Ark and the results we've achieved in creating, delivering and measuring our social impact across businesses and communities.

Working collaboratively to nurture our existing partnerships and create new relationships, supports our innovative approach and our unique social business model.


It's been a great year

4

You too can be a part of this dynamic way of working that truly changes people's lives through the way you run your business and making money work smarter and harder for your local economy and community.

Here at First Ark we’re passionate about creating sustainable social impact to support our customers, businesses and their communities. We can do more with your help.

Bob Taylor CEO

We change people's lives –

you can too

Introduction

5

£9,371,489Generated

Social Value

Investing to create life-changing opportunities and nurture sustainable communities leads to greater economic prosperity and opens up new and exciting paths for the development of individuals and businesses. Our investment funds offer loans and grants in an open, transparent and flexible way to ensure they meet the needs of the receiving organisation and act as a true growth enabler to deliver social impact.

However, First Ark’s investments are not just about money. We provide a pre and post-investment support programme that enables organisations to become 'investment ready'. When funds are received we provide ongoing support throughout the life of the investment. This ensures they can successfully deliver their ambition and increase their social impact.

Through partnerships and creating strategic alliances, First Ark supports projects and enables programmes that tackle some of the most prominent social and economic issues in the UK.

What we do at First Ark when looking to invest is simple – get money to people and projects that make a positiveand long-lasting social impact that changes people's lives.Whether it's charities or social impact businesses, we wantto enable organisations to get the backing they need to growand help more people.


The way we invest

1 HACT

1Generated

Social Value£9,371,489

1

6

http://www.hact.org.uk

To ensure we are meeting our objectives, we assess all our investments to monitor the social impact they deliver. Evidence of this impact is reflected in some of our case studies.

We look to invest in people, businesses and government initiatives that advocate:

Employability, skills and economic growth

Enabling life chances for people who need a helping hand

Eliminating the Poverty Premium

Developing sustainable home tenancies

Environmental awareness and impact

The way we invest

7

When Brathay Trust needed to update its outdoor activity facilities at its Lakeland residential centre, First Ark Social Investment was ready to help. Now, thanks in part to a £99,000 social investment, hundreds of young people are finding new self-confidence & teamwork skills and exercise on the High Challenge Rope Course and other facilities, potentially generating millions of pounds in Social Value.

Brathay Trust – the greater outdoors

Based in Ambleside, Brathay Trust operates a residential centre with programmes that include a range of outdoor activities. Its mission is to inspire young people, build confidence and improve life chances through physical and mental activities.


Helping Brathay climb higher

8

An opportunity to do more

Brathay identified an opportunity to increase Social Value and letting revenue by updating its facilities. Re-commissioning the ‘High Challenge Rope Course’ and modernising accommodation, would providea more fullfilling experience for young people visiting the centre. The resulting boost to letting revenue would also support more Lake District jobs with three extra full time positions at the centre.

Money for new rope

Brathay approached us for funding. We worked with them on pre-investment planning, including social impact and economic value forecasts – assessing the likely benefits to young people visiting the centre and assigning that social impact a financial value, as well as helping to forecast the increased revenue and spending power.

After a successful pre-investment planning stage, we invested £99,000 to help Brathay update its facilities. Of that investment, £27,000 brought the rope course up to date with brand new equipment, creating a 250-foot span over two levels linking to a climbing wall.

A further £72,000 was used to refurbish nine letting bedrooms in Brathay Hall, providing modern accommodation for visitors and generating increased letting income, enough to support three additional jobs at the centre.

£4,600,000Estimated

Social Value

Up to 500 young people use the facilities at Brathay annually, resulting in increased social inclusion and building confidence in young people.

The way we invest

1 HACT

1

9

First Ark Group was one of four investors in a ‘Payment by Results’ contract commissioned by the Department for Work and Pensions Innovation Fund. It aimed to test social investment and delivery models to support disadvantaged young people and those at risk of disadvantage, aged 14 to 24 years.

The DWP commissioned a £16m Youth Engagement fund. A programme was developed which aims to help young people, many of whom are young offenders, have learning disabilities, or are in or leaving care, overcome their personal challenges and have access to more opportunities that will change their lives. The programme runs in one of the most deprived areas of the UK where unemployment and youth crime is above average and is known as 'Unlocking Potential'.

First Ark and other investors are repaid on a payment-by-results basis only when pre-agreed educational, training and employment targets are met. The programme has a three-way incentive to succeed:

Investors see their money being spent on tackling youth issues, with potential for a positive return on investment

Individuals at risk of being NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) are given an opportunity to develop their skills and access employment opportunities

Taxpayers have nothing to pay if the programme targets fall short

Unlocking potential


10

The way we invest


Social Value

Through supporting young people with training & education and progressing them into apprenticeships, Higher Education and employment.

1 HACT

1

11

EMERGE provide a full range of waste recycling and confidential shredding services to businesses, schools and organisations whilst promoting waste reduction, reuse and recycling through advice and information to customers and the wider community. EMERGE have a strong environmental and person-centred ethos. The real '3Rs' (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle) of sustainable resource and waste management are at the heart of everything they do.

First established in 1998, they have demonstrated an ability to remain sustainable. The organisation has diversified into different areas of waste recycling having successfully built up its commercial work; EMERGE Recycling, the social enterprise subsidiary, now has around 900 customers across Greater Manchester.

Parent charity EMERGE 3Rs has a partnership with FareShare UK whereby they run the Greater Manchester industry surplus food operation, redistributing the food to community organisations, schools’ breakfast clubs, soup kitchens and the like. The Touch Wood training workshop and store sells reclaimed construction wood waste and upcycles it into bespoke products for sale to the public.

EMERGE Recycling are keen to extend their reach across the region, adding more collection areas and increasing their range of waste and recycling services, which will in turn allow them additional capacity to meet their charitable objectives.

Through a flexible investment arrangement and a common goal to grow sustainable businesses across the North West, EMERGE and First Ark Social Investment have agreed that together they could create a wider and stronger social impact.

Investing in recycling


12

The way we invest

Over the period of the investment, the money is being used for various projects including:

EMERGE are measuring their social impact to ensure the following outcomes are monitored and achieved by:

Safeguarding 18 sustainable, full-time jobs

Creating 1 new Apprenticeship position with continued support

Recruiting 50 volunteers

Providing accredited qualifications to 30 volunteers

Recycling 2,400 tonnes of paper, cardboard, metals, plastic and wood

Upcycling and reusing 70 tonnes of wood

Redistributing 800 tonnes of food to 250 community groups and charities

Purchase of enhanced on-site shredding infrastructure

New containers for collecting paper and card for confidentialshredding and recycling

Taking on additional apprentices

13

Agent AcademyGenerated

Social Value£138,003

Agent Academy is an industry-led, leadership development programme, established as a solution to the issues faced by 16 to 25 year olds who find themselves, post education, without the skills to begin their careers in creative and digital industries. As a social enterprise, Agent, an award winning creative and digital agency, is focused on developing values-led, socially aware young leaders who will go on to make a positive impact in their places of work and society.

First Ark and Agent Academy teamed up and First Ark made an investment that would enable Agent Academy to grow and offer more young people from the Liverpool City Region, not currently in full time employment or education, an opportunity to attend the 12-week training programme and progress into employment. Of the attendees, 73 per cent secured a permanent position following completion of the programme.


1 HACT

1

14

Steph'sstorySteph graduated with a degree in English and wanted a career in marketing but lacked a knowledge of basic marketing principles. She was doing unpaid freelance work writing content. Joining Agent Academy enhanced Steph’s marketing knowledge and skills in how to communicate effectively to a target market through her writing. Steph went on to secure a paid internship.

Steph

Sean'sstorySean graduated with a degree in Journalism but had lacked practical experience, this proved to be a barrier to employment. He enrolled with Agent and worked on a charity youth engagement project, connecting with a number of influential business leaders. Agent Academy gave him the confidence and experience he needed to succeed. Sean now works at a local Well-being and Yoga organisation.

Sean

The way we invest

Agent Academy helped me to gain the experience and skills I needed and it helped me to develop my knowledge of marketing , putting theory into practice. I was able to build my contacts and network through them, which crucially helped me to get my job.

Agent Academy really helped me build back my confidence and more importantly my optimism and belief for my future career.

15

Dream High offers support for aspiring business people in Liverpool.

Using a simple model, the core components of a successful business are:

Business Development: defining the product or service Financial Management: advice on funding and business grants Marketing Support: how to start generating sales

Clients’ needs are identified and they are signposted to the relevant people who can support them in achieving their goal. There is a panel of business leaders, local entrepreneurs, professionals and community representatives, who provide clients with expertise, ideas, contacts and market research opportunities.

By Dream High supporting new and existing businesses in this way, they’re helping the local economy develop through trade, extending links and building relationships, leading to opportunities to increase the economic prosperity of the area and strengthen communities. First Ark recognised the social impact that Dream High had created and how, with further investment, they could strengthen that impact and grow. To facilitate this we made an investment and supported in the management of the programme to:

Increase the number of people accessing Dream High Grow the number of business start-ups and existing businesses Attract more volunteers to be part of the panel Give people access to financial support

We contributed volunteer hours, one-to-one support for business owners, ran ‘Open Café’ sessions and were on hand to offer advice and assistance when needed.

From dreams to reality


16

The support and values all

around business acumen

and experience Dream

High had within their ranks

helped me create Nourishing

Routes as a business and

has put the company in a

very favourable and exciting

position heading into the

new year.

Marissa Pendlebury Nourishing Routes

Marissa's story

The way we invest

17

£114,972Generated

Social Value

78 disadvantaged people have access to local advice and

support.

£190,330Generated

Social Value

8 people moving into employment,

includingself-employment.

£326,410Generated

Social Value

Regular volunteering of 70 individuals.

Marissa is a Personal Wellbeing Coach. Dream High helped Marissa to establish and develop her new business, Nourishing Routes. Together, they identified two specific business tasks to focus on: workshop delivery and an offer to publish a book. The investment that First Ark made in part went towards working with Marissa to define her products and services, how to price them in the marketplace and developing her networks and contacts. Marissa was introduced to a Dream High panel member, working at a senior level within the NHS, who was able to offer invaluable guidance and support.

Marissa launched her book Nourishing Routes last year and now regularly delivers workshops across the North West.


Marissa's story

1 HACT

111

18

Halewood Town Council manages Hollies Road playground and Elwyn Gardens. Being next to a community centre, the playground was in desperate need of an overhaul and the children were missing a safe area to play. Elwyn Gardens is a recreational area for local residents. The garden had become overgrown and the path was hazardous.

The scale of these two projects meant it was essential to source additional funding. There is an existing relationship between Halewood and First Ark as we've provided grounds maintenance for Halewood Town Council since 2015. Working collaboratively we facilitated funding, trades people and equipment to complete the two projects.

A place to play and sit a while

The way we invest

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We partner with other organisations to extend our reach and our influence.

Social Enterprise UK (SEUK): Acts as a Strategic Partner for six Government departments and leads on public policy on social enterprise. This has subsequently created a wide reaching business network and a series of vibrant business relationships with some of the most successful companies across the UK. Actively collaborating with SEUK allows us to ensure the national, regional and local economic development needs are understood, supported and delivered.

Social Economy Alliance (SEA): A coalition of organisations who campaign to create a stronger social economy within the UK, where they empower others through practical yet effective business practices, principally based upon equality, transparency, democracy and sustainability. As a leading member this allows us to campaign to drive change that delivers real social and economic impact.

At First Ark, we look to influence others to create a more balanced and socially active economy.As a social business, we aim to:

Influence and encourage ‘Responsible Business’ maximising the social impact and value that a business can create in the way it operates

Encourage the private and public sectors to identify and harness the potential in people by creating life-changing opportunities

Inspire the development of a culture and society that is more entrepreneurial, less dependent and more inclusive

Influence national policy to support the growth of a socially active and inclusive society within the UK

The way we influence


20

Homes for the North: First Ark is part of Homes for the North. It’s an alliance of twenty housing associations who want to deliver more homes across the North of England. Collectively we already provide homes for almost one million people but we want to do more. Good quality homes are the bedrock of a strong economy and thriving communities, yet across the North, not enough good homes are being built.

We work with a range of organisations to help raise public awareness of housing policy challenges and solutions, commissioning research and sharing our expertise and best practice, informing policy makers regionally and nationally on:

Creating the conditions for more and better homes

Extending home ownership in the North

Making the North of England a more attractive place for businesses to invest


21

Our Social Mission is all about ‘Changing People's Lives’ and our focus is on the tangible impact that we have on people, businesses and whole communities reaching their full potential.

By quantifying Social Value, it enables others to recognise the scale of impact that is achievable, whether it be impact on individuals (the subjective wellbeing), on local economy (the Local Multiplier Effect) or the reduction of costs to UK Treasury (Cost Benefit Analysis).

We aim to use these impact values to enable others to recognise, document and highlight the benefits that operating as a social impact business can have. First Ark call upon other like-minded people to work in partnership with us to maximise this.

It has been said that something as small as

the flutter of a butterfly's wings can ultimately

cause a typhoon halfway around the world.

- Chaos Theory

The Butterfly Effect:

Change one thing - change everything


Why we quantify Social Value

22

Subjective wellbeing refers to how people experience the quality of their lives. HACT have developed the impact from those outcomes into financial values. A number of Government departments use these to assess the success of the programmes they develop.

HACT:Housing Associations Charitable Trust – HACT.org.uk

Visit Neweconomics.org for more information on the LM3 model

Visit Neweconomymanchester.com for more information on Cost Benefit Analysis model

Developed by the New Economics Foundation, the LM3 Local Multiplier Effect measures how spending generates local economic impact, what benefit that brings to communities as money is spent locally and therefore being circulated in the local economy.

The Cost Benefit Analysis model allows a consistent method of assessment of Value for Money of public service reform programmes. Developed by HM Treasury and New Economy, it values benefits to the state of impact programme outcomes.

£38,766,883 £7,736,873£22,786,218 Generated

CostSavings

Generated

EconomicValue

Generated

SocialValue

HACT Local Multiplier Effect Cost Benefit Analysis


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The way we workFirst Ark is passionate about enabling people to succeed by creating life-changing opportunities. We do this through growing our own business and other people’s businesses and we then reinvest our profits to create a positive impact on society.

It’s about a social business model that uses those partnerships, local supply chains, suppliers and investors to share common values and really make a difference by the way we all work together.

First Ark is committed to creating opportunities for younger people and offers a range of apprenticeships across both office and trade disciplines. There is an annual intake and we have made a commitment to 5% of our trades workforce being apprentices. Our work placements offer training to NVQ Level 3 while earning a wage, a mentor, a personalised support package and the opportunity to secure a permanent job at the end of the placement. First Ark facilitates an Apprentice Support Group and holds an annual awards ceremony to recognise our apprentices.

By voluntarily paying the Real Living Wage(1) as a minimum rate of pay, we demonstrate a long-term people investment that attracts and retains like-minded individuals. Our people are motivated and, in turn, provide excellent customer service. We go a step further to contribute to our employees’ work life balance by offering a comprehensive benefits package that supports fair pensions and terms and conditions. Lower pay makes it harder for people to find time and extra money to enjoy local or family activities. There are myriad causes related to poverty but offering our staff the Real Living Wage contributes to reducing some of these.

(1) Set by Living Wage Foundation

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The way we work

We try to maximise our impact on the local economy by spending with businesses that are local to where we deliver our services, who in turn create additional employment and training opportunities in the North West.

First Ark has supported sole traders to become accredited in such areas as Health and Safety. They continue to work with us but can also apply for additional work, giving them access to bid for work they may not have been previously eligible for. This makes them sustainable and successful in the local economy, generating additional Social Value from the way we work with them.

The ‘Poverty Premium’ means the poorer in society are paying more for basic goods and services. This has a detrimental impact on people’s living standards. The gap is more noticeable for those that are unemployed and receiving benefits. If they live in a house with high energy bills, their low income and the Poverty Premium combines to leave them somewhat short of a socially acceptable standard of living. Our products and services offer value for money to our customers, are affordable, high quality and work towards removing the Poverty Premium. Taking into account the customer experience, what people can actually afford and how it can make their life a little bit easier, is what we focus on.

£82,800 £897,927 £38,766,881Generated

CostSavings

Generated

SocialValue

Generated

EconomicValue

Savings to the public purse moving people from benefits

into empoyment.

Progressing apprentices into sustainable full-time

employment.

Additional spent in theNorth West economy.

1 HACT 2

LM3

3 Cost Benefit Analysis

1 2 3

25


A little help goes a long way

£4,522,030Social Value

GeneratedLexi, a single parent aged 31, lives with her two-year-old daughter. She was working part time as a Care Assistant and had rent to pay. Lexi was making efforts to pay her rent but was falling further behind. She told her Rent Officer that she had a number of debts and was struggling to manage basic bills, including food and heating for herself and her daughter. She was finding it more difficult to keep going.

Lexi was put in touch with Karen in the Welfare Reform team. They arranged a visit and discussed options to improve Lexi's situation. Karen handled the case with sensitivity and dignity and immediately organised a food parcel from the local church to keep the family going. Next, Karen applied successfully to the local council’s Emergency Support Scheme to pay the gas and electricity bills.

A Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) application was submitted with the aim of reducing the level of rent arrears. By providing budgeting advice, Karen helped the customer to reduce her bills and was able

to recommend a number of care agencies who were recruiting in the local area. Karen referred Lexi to a local Advice Centre who offered debt advice and managed to significantly reduce Lexi’s outgoings.

She got a full-time job in the local area that significantly contributed to managing her financial situation. Because of the support the Welfare Support team were able to offer and working with referral agencies and local connections, Lexi reduced her outgoings and is now able to maintain rent payments.

(Some names and indentifying details have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals.)

The way we work

1 HACT

1

26

We look to invest in people, businesses and government initiatives that advocate:

additionalincome

Secured

referrals

Working in partnership with local authorities, support agencies, and experts in money matters, the teams were able to secure just over £2 million in additional income.

Offering regular support and advice, by listening, understanding and empathising with people in need of financial assistance, the teams have made referrals for benefit advice, completed affordability checks and helped people to maximise their budget.

£2,079,528

3,981

pg14

KHT Welfare Reform Team and Income Team

I was in a desperate situation that was spiralling out of control. The team were very understanding and made me feel like there was a light at the end of the tunnel. My daughter and I are in a much better place thanks to their support and guidance.

Lexi

“ “

27

Shirley and Ken Wah live in Halewood, Merseyside. They’re both elderly and Mr Wah now has restricted mobility and is unable to move around easily without a walking stick.

Shirley called her local council to ask for a referral to a reliable plumber, and was put in touch with our Adaptations and Repairs team. Alan Flute, a member of the team, arranged a visit to check what needed to be done. Upon visiting the couple, it was evident that Mr Wah was finding it difficult to go about his daily routine. Their home was not equipped for Mr Wah to get around easily.

After a conversation over a cup of tea, Alan arranged for a visit by an Occupational Therapist to assess Mr Wah’s condition. Following their report, it was identified that adaptations to the home could be made to facilitate Mr Wah’s ability to get around the house; handrails and a wet room were installed.

Mr Wah is fond of his garden, which he has spent years nurturing, however, he was no longer able to get outside via the steps and enjoy time there. The team set to work and built a brand new ramp so that access to the garden was easier. Mr and Mrs Wah are delighted with the adaptations the team have made to their home and regularly enjoy a cup of tea in their garden.


Social Value

Through tenants feeling more secure and confident in their own homes since receiving support with adaptations and installations.


Offering a helping hand

1 HACT

1

28

“Alan came along and he just sorted everything, we can’t believe it – life is just much easier now.”

Shirley Wah

The way we work

29

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UhrnfLdbiA

£6,080,984Social Value

GeneratedOur Independent Living team work with agencies and providers to deliver tailor-made care packages and a range of activities to enable our customers to retain their independence in a safe and secure environment.

Highfields is one of our Sheltered Housing Schemes. It is made up of 45 properties and there are 50 residents. Last year, 32 residents received tailored Support Plans that catered for their individual care needs and supported their ability to live independently.

Saved

in delivering free activities

£29,230

Activitiesdelivered

788£1,203,606through reductionin social isolation

Social Valuegenerated


Supporting independent living

1 HACT

1

1

30

Having no family close by means events like these arereally important to people like me.

We enjoy meeting and having lunch together,keeping each other company.

Sally

Olive

The way we work

31

“Susan’s story

The lads in different trades support you and they take the time to teach you new skills.

First Ark gives you great opportunities and they support you throughout your journey and you gain more confidence every day - you really are part of a team. Susan Thompson

Multi-skilled Apprentice


32

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X41sPgxXXFA

Susan Thompson is a Multi-skilled Apprentice working with the Facilities Management team. She joined the First Ark Apprenticeship Scheme in September 2015 and enjoys her work immensely. With women making up only 11 per cent of the construction workforce and just 1 per cent of workers on construction sites,

(1) Susan is breaking down barriers and is one of our shining stars.

With her dad, brothers and uncles in the building trade, Susan’s career aspirations were always to work in the construction industry. However, Susan first tried her hand at being a dancer and a hairdresser, but soon discovered it wasn’t for her. She decided to take the plunge and enrol on a plastering course. Qualifying in 2010, she excelled in Level 1 and went on to study Level 2. Finding a job without practical experience was difficult and Susan now had a young family to consider.

Despite attempts to find work, she came up against a brick wall. Challenged with unflexible childcare provision and jobs with unsociable hours and, keen to put her skills into practice to earn a living, she researched apprenticeships in Knowsley and came across the First Ark Apprenticeship Scheme. It offered the perfect opportunity to use her skills and earn a wage. Now a highly valued member of the team, Susan has been able to work on a variety of projects, such as day to day repairs, refurbishing empty properties and maintaining the Group's homes.

Supported and mentored by experienced tradesmen in the Facilities Management team, Susan has embraced the apprenticeship and gained valuable skills that she is able to transfer into the working environment. Now working as a Multi-skilled Apprentice, Susan can decide whether plastering is the skill she wishes to focus on or diversify into other trades.

1 UCATT

The way we work

33

More confident in her abilities and in what she can achieve, Susan now has a more defined career path and can plan a future for both herself and her young family. The construction industry is one of the UK’s largest employers so, with her growing skillset, she will be well equipped to work in the industry. With a reputation for being a hard worker and quick learner, Susan has set herself along a path that has changed her life and provided her with a skill, income and confidence.

Susan's storyFirst Ark Social Accounts 2016 - 2017

34

LewisHassan

Being 21 and coming from the local area, I heard about the First Ark Apprenticeship Scheme through friends.

I applied and was given a place as a Multi-skilledApprentice and I am working towards a trade qualification.

I now have a brighter future ahead of me.

Multi-skilled Apprentice

The way we work

35

Lyndale Knowsley Cancer Support Centre and charity is run entirely by volunteers. They provide caring support in a homely and friendly environment. Helping people affected by cancer, their families and friends, they offer one-to-one support, group activities, cancer information, access to health professionals and more.

As First Ark’s Charity of the Year 2016-17, Lyndale knew that we delivered refurbishment solutions and turned to us for help. Having such an emotive environment and the sensitive nature of their work, made it imperative there was minimal disruption when refurbishment works were carried out. The work, which included painting, decorating, plumbing and joinery works, was delivered in just two weeks and fitted around Lyndale’s schedule and requirement for minimum disruption.

It was a privilege to support Lyndale in improving their facilities, where they care for families at what is the most challenging time they may ever face. The sensitive nature of the charity meant we undertook our work with minimal disruption to their daily routines. Our professional team exceeded expectations; providing a tailored programme of redecoration and maintenance in a timely manner, whilst the centre continued with their essential support.

Tony Cahill, Executive Director at First Ark


Consideration in a caring environment

36

The way we work

37

Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPT) are dedicated to policing a certain community or area. Their presence helps to reassure the public and improve police/community relations but on its own, it rarely deters crime. Only intensive, targeted patrols that work with partners and the local community, alongside adopting a problem-solving approach, are likely to have any impact on crime and antisocial behaviour.

In one local area, NPT particularly struggled to gain access to communal residential blocks quickly and safely in order to respond to incidents. These delays consistently thwarted police efforts to apprehend offenders and sometimes allowed the disposal of valuable evidence. The loss of such evidence often hindered the prosecution of offenders.

To support the Police in their efforts to reduce crime and improve safety in the local area, Liz Squires, a member of the Facilities Management team, worked with local Neighbourhood Police teams and members of the Neighbourhood Management team, to look at ways of helping them attend incidents quicker and apprehend offenders.

By using community-led intelligence and knowledge of the residential block's facilities, there has been a significant improvement in the ability of officers to access communal blocks more quickly and are now able to tackle crime more effectively. Local residents are reassured and, by working as a partnership to share knowledge and expertise, there’s minimum disturbance to local residents and improved recovery of evidence from crime scenes.

Working together for a safer community


38

Merseyside Police

The way we work

This saving time for both Merseyside Police and First Ark would not have arisen without the work completed by Liz Squires, which in turn built greater relationships for both parties.

39

First Ark are partners with Step Forward, providing homes for both shared ownership and rent across the North West. The partnership aims to bring to market nearly 1000 homes over the next 5 years. Rental properties are made available to tenants on a long-term basis, with rents set at affordable rates 20% below open market value. The outright sale properties are made available through various approved shared ownership schemes to suit buyers' incomes and budgets.

Step Forward have a priority group of current Armed Forces personnel and veterans, emergency workers and NHS staff. Our role is to assist in buying suitable homes and deliver property and tenancy management; dealing with all aspects of housing management from signing up new tenants, collecting rent, fixing defects and repairs to general enquiries.

Someone moving from temporary

accommodation to secure housing

Someone moving from rough sleeping to secure housing

Helping those who protect us


£8,019Social Value

Per family

£24,467HomelessnessOver life of

programme

Social Value Social Value £2,396,385

1 HACT

1

S T E P F O R W A R D

H O U S I N G

T r a d i t i o n a l V a l u e sM o d e r n A p p r o a c h

40

The Way We Work

41

Measuring social impact can tell a story of how you’re changing people's lives

Social impact is the outcome of your organisation’s activities and what effects these have on people’s lives and other organisations you work with. Investors and funders want to know how their investment is used and what real benefits it delivers. Measuring social impact will enable your organisation to recognise, govern and share the Social Value it generates.

Measuring your social impact will help you:

Attract further funding and investment

Sell services and secure new contracts

Improve communication and influence with stakeholders

Improve learning from results

Increase positive publicity

There's a range of tools that can be used to evidence social impact. We'll work with you to understand your organisation and its aims and outcomes, then apply that information to the most relevant measuring tool. The result is a compelling document that uses data and the story behind the data to evidence how you’re changing people's lives.

Measuring social impact


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We help charities and social enterprises to grow – yours could be next!

Charities and social enterprises can struggle to find finance that’s right for them, as often what’s available is unsuitable for established organisations to maintain and grow. New organisations that need charities and social enterprises can also struggle to find finance that’s right for them.

We’re in this together, helping you become ‘investment ready’ by accessing the 'Reach Fund', and when it's appropriate, by applying for 'Invest for Impact'. Working with our established partners, we help you with investment and wraparound support.

The Reach Fund: A grant programme that offers help to charities and social enterprises to become ‘investment ready’. As an Access Point, we’ll work with you to identify your needs, develop an ‘investment readiness’ plan and apply for the 'Reach Fund'.

Invest for Impact: A flexible unsecured blended capital (loan and grant) that includes pre-application and post-investment support. Investments are available from £50,000-£150,000 and there’s up to 30% available as a grant.

Other funds are being developed to meet your needs so why not...

Chat to one of the team 0800 464 0797

firstarksocialinvestment.com

[email protected]

Access to funds

Working with us

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First Ark GroupLakeviewKings Business ParkPrescotL34 1PJ

T: 0151 290 7000firstark.com

Get In Touch

If you're as passionate about making a difference as weare - not just in what you dobut how you do it - then we'dlove to hear from you.

Connect with us

@firstark

First Ark

We Nurture, You Grow - First Ark · We Nurture, You Grow Making a Social Impact Social Accounts...

Documents

Transcript of We Nurture, You Grow - First Ark · We Nurture, You Grow Making a Social Impact Social Accounts...