Inspira corporate brochure

Inspira Inspiration for Life

Welcome to Inspira

We are a powerful and dynamic organisation dedicated to inspiring and supporting people, communities and organisations to make the key decisions that shape their own futures.

We are leaders in helping people improve their employability skills. Our teams manage and deliver a range of personal development and career management programmes to help young people and adults become ready for work. Projects are managed and delivered on behalf of employers, learning providers, government departments and councils throughout England.

Youth is, after all, just a moment, but it is the moment, the spark, that you always carry in your heart.

We value our longstanding relationship with Cumbria County Council, and are also excited about the further strong growth of our business relationships around the country, inspiring people to realise their dreams.

I am proud of what we do, who we work with and the results we achieve. As a team we look forward to building strong and enduring partnerships with organisations like yours to help people become prepared for life and ready for work.

Raisa M Gorbachev Mark Bowman Chief Executive

1

Inspiring success

Leaders in inspiring people to improve their employability skills.

Inspira is an innovative national social enterprise based in Cumbria. We were created in 2001 and have built a business based on the core ethos of inspiring people through professional and structured career management and innovative personal development programmes. We are leaders in managing and delivering powerful programmes to help young people and adults be successful in life and the world of work.

Success has many different dimensions depending on ability and aspiration. A minor everyday achievement for one person may be a major triumph in overcoming obstacles for another. 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.

We inspire people to realise their dreams by providing services that meet their individual needs, raise their aspirations and encourage them to continue developing throughout their lives.

Solution focused

When you identify a need, we provide the solution.

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, such as homelessness, or perhaps a group of young people or adults with transport problems. Or maybe 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 and ensure their effective implementation.

We manage and deliver programmes on behalf of employers, learning providers, government departments and councils.

Our aim is to achieve the most effective outcome for you. We take account of the environment and the expectations of others. We seek to build inspired, innovative solutions that will set people firmly on the path to a secure, fulfilling future.

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 valuable, expert input.

We manage a diverse range of projects

It’s been a pleasure watching my lad over this summer, learn things about himself, learn lots about others, and move on to college a more confident young man. He’s signed up to be a Young Inspira, I hope he will gain more from that. So thank you Inspira.

Shona Carrick, Parent 2

3

Effective approaches Every programme is unique but the way we work follows an agreed path and common principles.

We build structured teams to deliver comprehensive community support services or create highly-effective one-off projects.

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 approach: • Exploration – we explore the most appropriate route to the solution, in light of our experience and best practice.

Our team is accomplished in providing guidance and support. When we need outside expertise, we do not hesitate to get it. For some projects, we hand-pick, brief and train new team members. Our passion and knowledge is shared throughout the entire organisation.

• Measurable results – we agree not only your aims and objectives but the milestones along the way.

Our code:

• Clarity of purpose – we listen to what you want and how you want us to help you achieve it.

• 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.

You get: • Answers – we provide structured, workable solutions, not just reports that tell you what’s wrong.

The Company has developed the ability to tender for and win further funded projects to support a wide range of initiatives.

Investors in People

4

• Satisfied stakeholders – we balance different priorities and interests, to fulfil their aspirations.

• Improved perceptions – we can help you engage positively with your local community.

• A map for the way forward – we do not see challenges in isolation, but as stepping stones to achieve your long term goals.

We look for opportunities to innovate and to exploit technology, but we do not reinvent the wheel. Staying abreast of national research and maintaining links with academics and other experts gives us access to current best-practice experience and expertise.

• 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.

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 success and have fun in the process.

5

Encouraging participation

Achieving results

We inspire people to realise their dreams. In turn, they often show us new ways of looking at situations and galvanise our activities with their skills and attitudes.

We work with:

Successful engagement relies on participation not just from the young people and adults we work with, 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.

• schools, academies, sixth forms, colleges, universities and training providers

• government departments • local authorities • local and national businesses - as employers, concerned members of communities, programme sponsors and providers of resources • 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

We measure our performance by comparing our results to national benchmarks, and by analysing our feedback. We operate a rigorous Quality Management System and are 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 80,000 plus young people placed into education, employment and training.

• We have worked with over 30,000 adults.

• We increased Company turnover by 25% in the financial year 2013, despite nationwide economic stringency.

• We hold the Matrix Standard, which sets rigorous criteria for delivering Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG).

• We hold the International Standard ISO 9001:2008 for quality management systems.

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, we listen to all views with care and act in response to them.

• We hold the Merlin Standard which recognises sustainable excellence managing supply chains.

• We hold the Investors in People standard.

• 97% of Inspira staff say they take pride in belonging to the Company.

• 92% of young people we worked with felt they had the chance to develop skills which will be useful to them in the future.

However, we believe there is always an opportunity to do better. We do not rest on our laurels.

Mick Farley, Chair of Inspira

6

7

Changing lives

Case study one 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 two Working in partnership to develop innovative products.

Product development is an important part of our business. New to the market is Carrus, a career management toolkit which has been developed in conjunction with AQR, GMCP and CXK. Rather than predicting which jobs would suit a client, Carrus is designed to provoke people into thinking how well they are prepared for the world of work. The programme assesses four areas of ability; numerical, verbal, non-verbal, and mechanical, as well as twelve aspects of personality. The subsequent Development Report provides feedback on the test and includes development suggestions while the Coaching Report enables a coach or mentor to help the client understand their report and use the Career Management Guide as effectively as possible.

Carrus can be completed numerous times so that clients can measure their development.

Carrus is proving to be an easy to use tool with clear and concise feedback, and is cost effective.

Case study three From pilot programmes to prime contractor.

Case study four Ready for Work provides a solution to Sellafield’s challenge.

In 2010, we were selected from hundreds of applicants to run one of twelve pilots for the Government’s National Citizen Service (NCS) a unique programme for 16 and 17 year olds which aims to help them become responsible and engaged members of adult society.

Sellafield commissioned us to help them help unemployed people in West Cumbria improve their job prospects.

In 2012 our success resulted in us becoming a prime contractor in the North West for National Citizen Service.

Results from the NCS 2013 survey said 92% of young people on the programme managed by Inspira felt they had the chance to develop skills which would be useful to them in the future.

This agreement reinforces our link with central government where we are established as a trusted partner.

Our response was Ready for Work – an innovative employability skills programme designed to give participants the personal competencies, qualities, qualifications and experiences that employers seek.

The Sellafield pilot, rolled out at the beginning of January 2014, attracted nearly 400 applicants. The programme combines interactive and motivational personal development with intensive mentoring in selfpresentation, job applications and how to transition into the workplace. It is tailored to Sellafield’s objectives and individualised to the participants.

Activities include team and individual challenges, video analysis of interview techniques, psychometric tests and work experience. Where needed, literacy, numeracy and other key work qualifications are delivered as part of the programme.

“Now I have lots of hope, enthusiasm and a clear plan of where I want to be.”

Youth Work Participant 8

9

Taking initiative

We keep our fingers on the pulse of technology, encourage innovative thinking, and draw on the growing body of research about career management and personal development.

As a consequence, we are able to provide practical solutions and make positive changes to a person’s life experiences.

• Our innovative Wheels 2 Work (W2W) scooter loan scheme enables people in Cumbria and East Cheshire, who have difficulty accessing public or private transport, to travel to work, education or training.

Needs and opportunities provide the foundation for proactive service and programme development at Inspira. Taking the initiative is one of our core beliefs. If we identify a challenge within our area of remit, we’ll take action – either to provide the solution or to inspire others to act.

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

10

11

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 carefullyplanned 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 range of organisations including: Academies Allerdale Borough Council Arts Council England Barrow-in-Furness Borough Council Big Lottery Fund Britain’s Energy Coast Careers England Carlisle City Council Cheshire East Borough Council Children in Need CN Group Colleges Copeland Borough Council

If you would like to learn more about our work or how we might be able to help your organisation, please get in touch

www.inspira.org.uk t: 01931 711300 e: info@inspira.org.uk Gillan Way, Penrith 40 Business Park, Penrith, CA11 9BP

You’ll also find us on Twitter: @InspiraCumbria

12

Cumbria Chamber of Commerce Cumbria Constabulary Cumbria County Council Cumbria LSCB Cumbria Youth Work Consortium Cumbria Youth Offending Service Department of Education Department for Work and Pensions Eden District Council Furness Building Society Fylde YMCA Groundwork UK Health Bodies Jobcentre Plus Lancashire County Council Local Enterprise Partnership National Apprenticeship Service NCS Trust North West Regional Youth Service Unit Nuclear Decommissioning Authority Open College Network Reachfor Schools Sellafield Ltd Skills Funding Agency Social Landlords South Lakes District Council The Challenge Network The Football League Trust The Outward Bound Trust Training Providers University of Central Lancashire University of Cumbria Youth Action

COVER

Leaders in helping people improve their employability skills We are a national social enterprise. We are leaders in managing and delivering personal development and careers management programmes to help young people and adults become ready for work.

call: 01931 711300 | email: info@inspira.org.uk www.inspira.org.uk | twitter: @InspiraCumbria