CARLISLE PARTNERSHIP NEWSLETTER 2015
WELCOME TO THE CARLISLE PARTNERSHIP 2015 NEWSLETTER!
The Carlisle Partnership is made up of more than 80 organisations spanning public, private and the voluntary and community sectors. We have been overwhelmed with wonderful stories from our growing network of partners who are working together to ensure that the Carlisle District is a fantastic place to live, work and play. The newsletter captures a cross-section of (just some of) the activity taking place in accordance with our main themes.
We are delighted to welcome the Youth Council to the partnership (featured on page 11) bringing the voice of young people directly to the table. In the past we have made assumptions about young people’s perceptions and aspirations - we now have the opportunity to work directly with our young people to shape the future of Carlisle and engage them in future planning.
In addition to the Youth Council, the Food Carlisle group has also joined the partnership (see pages 12 and 13) and is driving forward our ambition to become a Sustainable Food City promoting and facilitating local food production and healthy eating.
The Carlisle Ambassadors (page 4) are continuing to grow as more Carlisle businesses become part of the movement to put Carlisle on the map, raising the profile of the City and the wider area. We must encourage more businesses to engage in this energetic approach to jointly promoting our City. The Carlisle Economic Partnership also report on a number of projects which will drive the future economic growth of the City.
Carlisle is recognised nationally, and now across Europe, as a Healthy City. See page 10 for details of the International Conference attended by colleagues, raising the profile of our City overseas. A number of successful initiatives feature in the newsletter including National Walking accreditation (page 10) and the Local Healthy Options Award (page 14).
Page 17 provides details of the new science laboratories being installed at the University’s Fusehill Street Campus. A range of new provision will be available from this September, providing a much-needed pipeline of skilled scientists for the broader region.
There is not enough room to mention all the good work that is happening across the District. I urge you to read the newsletter and to get involved!
It has been an honour and a pleasure to be the chair of the partnership for the past year and I am sure that the City will go from strength to strength based on the passion of the people contributing.
Dr Michele Lawty-Jones Carlisle Partnership Chairperson
3 CARLISLE ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP CARLISLE AMBASSADORS Carlisle Ambassadors continues to go from strength to Fred Story reported that they have now taken on strength. The scheme now has 79 members and a very two new local suppliers following Steve Errington’s active social media presence. It has 1,341 followers on presentation at the March meeting, so one of the Twitter, 560 members of its LinkedIn group, 340 contacts aspirations to keep business local is bearing fruit. Many on Facebook and a significant presence on Google+ and other businesses are collaborating both to support each Flickr. The website has had more than 11,000 hits in the other, and to raise the profile of the city and wider area. last few months and is being developed in line with the More than 100 people are already booked in for the growing needs of the ambassador membership. meeting on Thursday 30 July and it promises to be a lively agenda with a focus on #GiveADayCarlisle which The May meeting was held in the newly refurbished Old has grown from a snowball into an avalanche of projects Fire Station. Cllr Colin Glover, Leader of Carlisle City to benefit the city. Exciting times ahead. Council, gave an overview of the history and future plans for this inspiring arts and entertainment venue. Carlisle City Council has secured £2.25million Cumbria DURRANHILL LEP /HCA funding for infrastructure improvements to IMPROVEMENTS Durranhill Industrial Estate. Planning permission has been granted for a new access road from Eastern Way and the widening of Brunel Way. The City Council is currently undertaking a tendering process to commission the works and are looking to start on the site in the late summer 2015. Construction should last approximately one year.
The plans to improve the access to the estate have already attracted interest from businesses with two sites currently being brought back into use. The project aims to revitalise and bring jobs to the area.
OLD TOWN HALL AND CARLISLE TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE The Tourist Information Centre (TIC) The TIC is not just about supplying in the Old Town Hall will re-open to people with details of things they the public this summer following are already interested in; it will extensive improvement works. become an information hub for all things Carlisle. It will also suggest, These included structural repairs through the use of selected and reconfiguration works to form imagery and text displayed by the the new lobby, lift shaft, staircase, Discovery Wall and AV screens, kitchen and toilet areas, plus a sights, events and attractions that ‘fit-out’ of the TIC. visitors and residents alike may be These will create a rich, engaging interested in and to inspire visitors environment and will encourage to want to spend more time (and visitors to linger and explore the money) here. maximum possible range of activities Project completion is programmed and leisure interests in Carlisle and for the end of July 2015. surrounding region.
5 CARLISLE AIRPORT
The £12million redevelopment of Carlisle Airport Regional Air Connecting Fund in order to support daily is underway with the distribution centre due to be services from Carlisle to London Southend, Belfast and completed by September 2015. Stobart Air has also Dublin to begin in April 2016. applied for start-up aid from the Government’s
LOCAL PLAN AND HOUSING DELIVERY
Consultation on the proposed submission draft of the Local Plan closed on Monday 20 April 2015. So far, 411 representations have been received from approximately 100 different individuals/organisations. The volume and nature of responses support that there has been a good level of engagement in the process.
Carlisle City Council is now proceeding with submitting the Plan to Government for independent examination. The Local Plan currently allocates 42 sites for housing, with 21 in the city and 21 in the District’s outlying settlements including Longtown and Dalston. Collectively these allocations will deliver 4,135 units.
6 DIGITAL CARLISLE
CARLISLE CITY WI-FI Carlisle City Wi-fi network has been in place for more than six months. The figures from BT are very impressive, with a 26% increase from March to April on data usage and a 2% increase in users. Overall, it has had more than 4,800 users in March and promotion of the network continues with lamp post banners in the city centre.
SUPER CONNECTED CITIES - CONNECTION VOUCHERS The City Council has succeeded in securing access Carlisle and parts of Allerdale, Copeland and Eden the for businesses within Carlisle to apply for Government opportunity to apply for grants to cover the cost of high- funding to improve broadband provision. speed broadband installation. The national £40million scheme enables small and Carlisle joins a list of 50 other cities across the UK medium enterprises in Carlisle to bid for a grant of benefiting from the Government’s Super Connected up to £3,000 to improve their business broadband Cities Initiative. The City Council will be working with connections. The Connection Vouchers Scheme partners including Connecting Cumbria to promote offers businesses, charities and social enterprises in awareness and encourage take up across the District.
DISCOVER CARLISLE The new dynamic and responsive Discover Carlisle website - www.discovercarlisle.co.uk - has been up and running for three months. The site is growing in content every week, working with our host partner NVG, over 200 local providers of tourism services have been approached to engage with the new offer.
The initial focus has been on the accommodation sector, moving on to the food and drink sector which is so significant to the tourism economy. The Carlisle Story toolkit has been applied throughout the site and new images have been commission to keep the work fresh and current. It has already regained our position as number one on the google search when you type ‘Carlisle’ in and we have just passed the 300 unique visitors a day milestone.
If you would like to know more, please contact [email protected]
7 CARLISLE HOUSING PARTNERSHIP
HOMELIFE CARLISLE More than 1,200 clients have been helped by Homelife Carlisle since they started trading in January 2014. They were chosen as one of three National Evaluation areas for the ‘Warm at Home’ scheme.
Community Neighbours now has 72 volunteers and nearly 60 partnerships providing befriending to socially isolate older people in their community.
Their Hospital Discharge worker has received further funding from Age UK.
The home improvement agency has recently been highly commended in the ‘Innovative Approach to Design and Delivery of HIA Services’ category at the National Home Improvement Agency (HIA) and Handyperson Awards hosted at the House of Lords.
WELFARE ADVICE SERVICE Case Study 1 Founded by Carlisle City Council in 1989, the service A client was suffering from severe long term depression provides free, confidential, quality welfare advice and and presented with no income and was failing to representation for all within the District, with the aim of engage with the Benefit Advice Service following their combating poverty and homelessness and promoting transfer from Water Street Family Hostel to move on social inclusion. accommodation. By working in conjunction with the Support Worker, based at Water Street who had gained The success of the work not only maximises incomes, the client’s trust, the service was able to re-establish £2,050,904.30 benefits gained in 2014/15, but also contact with the client and submit the relevant benefit improves/stabilises client wellbeing, reduces fuel poverty claims. and contributes directly to the local economy (research has shown that welfare benefits tend to be spent locally Case Duration: May 14 to March 15 on essentials such as food and heating.) Total weekly benefit gain: £287.65
8 Case Study 2 Case Study 3 A 61 year old client, with communication difficulties, The Home Improvement Agency asked us to check if a was referred to Benefit Advice Service by Revenues & client of theirs, who was severely disabled and needing Benefits because they had existed with no income for substantial adaptations to their home, was receiving several months; surviving on hand-outs from relatives income-based Employment & Support Allowance, as and friends who were reluctant to continue their the award letter stated that their entitlement it was both support. The Revenues & Benefit section backdated contributory and income-based. The service not only his Housing & Council Tax benefit based on nil income identified from the letter that it was contribution-based and the client was given an emergency appointment Employment & Support Allowance only but also that the at the Benefit Advice Service. The client presented in a client should be receiving an additional £15.55 per week distressed and unkempt state and advised that he was income-based Employment & Support Allowance. The suffering from heart disease, insulin dependent diabetes service assisted the client to claim this and requested and body tremors. The client was subsequently backdating to 2011 (the date when they had transferred diagnosed as suffering from bowel cancer. Assistance to Employment & Support Allowance from Incapacity was given to reclaim Employment & Support Allowance, Benefit). The client was awarded the additional premium, and Personal Independence Payment and the provision but the DWP refused to backdate this award further that of follow on assistance with questionnaires to ensure the three month statutory limit; an appeal was lodged that his difficulties were fully to the DWP; as it was his on the grounds of an ‘official error’ and just prior to the inability to explain his difficulties that contributed to the appeal the DWP withdrew their case and awarded the failure of an earlier claim. premium back to the date of transfer in 2011.
In the course of discussion the client also advised they Duration of case: Feb 2014 to April 2015 were unable to use their heating, having only a fan Total weekly benefit gain: £15.55 heater to keep warm and no access to hot water. The service liaised with the energy company and established Total backdated gain: £1528.85 that because the client was not topping up their meter on a regular basis, having stopped when they had nil income. As a consequence the meter was retaining most of the top up for the standing charge, leaving no credit for usage - after this was explained clearly and simply to the client they were able to rectify the situation commence using their boiler.
Case duration: Jan 14 to present day
Total weekly benefit gain: £322.30
9 HEALTHY CITY STEERING GROUP The conference consisted of 22 key speakers and 36 CERTIFICATE OF presentations came from UK cities alone.
ACHIEVEMENT Carlisle was firmly placed on the map following being selected to present after the main plenary session. The District was held in high regard and commended on the work advanced in partnership, to tackle the wider determinants of health. Many countries were keen to learn from Carlisle’s Healthy Cities work. With eight final submissions, Carlisle was one of the only cities to have such an array of work accepted, which is a great example of how Carlisle is advancing as a Healthy City.
Carlisle’s eight submissions consisted of: three presentations (Carlisle Doorstep Walks, Hospital at Home and Community Neighbours); two poster presentations In October 2014, the Healthy Cities programme marked (Carlisle Healthy City Week Approach and Food Carlisle) their 25th year of implementation in the European and full academic papers on all projects. region of the World Health Organisation (WHO) with an In addition Carlisle was presented with a certificate international conference celebrating best practice and of gratitude for commitment and achievements to launching phase VI. partnership for health, healthy equity, wellbeing and There were participants from more than 56 countries sustainable development at the local level, by Dr Agis with more than 500 people attending over the four days, Tsouros (Director of Policy and Governance for Health including many health sector experts. and Wellbeing, WHO).
NATIONAL WALKING ACCREDITATION
Walking for Health is England’s largest network of health awarded National Accreditation for the Carlisle scheme. walk schemes, helping people across the country lead a Evaluation of the programme also found that users more active lifestyle. It has been running for more than recognise the value and benefits of programme. 12 years and has helped improve the mental, social and The robust new requirements are designed to give physical wellbeing of thousands of people. Every year new walkers, health professionals and referrers added over 70,000 regular walkers experience the benefits of confidence that the Carlisle Doorstep Walks getting and staying active through walking. (co-ordinated by Carlisle City Council) can support them The Carlisle Doorstep Walks programme now has to lead a healthier lifestyle. Accredited Walking for Health over 500 members and within the last year has both walks are free, short, friendly and accessible to where been recognised as best practice by the World Health you live. Walkers with Walking for Health know that they Organisation International Healthy Cities movement are in safe hands with each walk led by a fully trained and nationally recognised by Walking for Health, being walk leader. CARLISLE YOUTH COUNCIL CARLISLE YOUTH COUNCIL AGM The Carlisle Youth Council (CYC) AGM was held in the council chamber at the Civic Centre earlier this year. CYC members outlined the projects they had worked on and announced the priorities and campaigns they will be working on during 2015/16 - Mental Health and involving young people in their communities.
THUMBS UP CAMPAIGN Planning for this project started in late 2013 with initial worked in partnership with Cumbria Education research completed at the Carlisle Skills Fair 2014. Business Partnership (CEBP). From their information The group then went on to work with youth media databases CEBP were able to recommend the top 18 organisation ‘Fixers’. The outcome of working with organisations for a “Thumbs Up Project Award”. ‘Fixers’ resulted in a Carlisle Youth Councillor being on The top 18 organisations were invited to attend the Border Television’s ‘Lookaround’ news programme in CYC AGM and were awarded their certificates. CYC May 2014. are now planning to work with Carlisle Youth Zone to Carlisle Youth Council (CYC) designed and developed roll out the “Thumbs Up” project to encourage more a ‘thumbs up’ sticker to award those organisations who local businesses to offer positive work experience offered positive work experience opportunities and opportunities.
FIRST CUMBRIA UK YOUTH PARLIAMENT The first Cumbria UK Youth Parliament election took They work through the six youth council priorities, place in December 2014 and was open to all young deciding on the three highest priorities and campaign people aged 11 to 18 in Cumbria. Schools, colleges and work to make a change. They also have young and other community based organisations supported people representing Cumbria on the North West the election process. Rebecca Morley was elected as regional youth forum, Youthforia which gives young the Member of Youth Parliament (MYP) and William people a voice at a regional level. Stonebridge was elected as Deputy MYP. Make Your Mark is UK-wide ballot which gives The Cumbria youth democracy program is based young people aged 11-18 the chance to decide what around the six Local Youth Councils, with Lakeland Members of Youth Parliament should debate and Youth Council being our local group. These six Youth vote on during their sitting in the House of Commons Councils base their priorities on the young people’s this November. experiences of living and learning in their local areas. Young people chose from a shortlist of topics on Each Member of Youth Parliament and Deputy the ballot paper, the top five are then debated in Member of Youth Parliament is a member of their the House of Commons by Members of Youth local Youth Council. Parliament (MYPs) from across the UK, on Saturday 14 November. Following the debate, MYPs vote for Cumbria Youth Parliament meets twice a year two issues to become their national campaigns for bringing together representatives from the six local the year ahead. youth councils.
11 FOOD CARLISLE
PIONEERING RESEARCH WITH FOOD BUSINESSES Carlisle is on a journey to become a Sustainable Food The questions in the survey look at food supply and City and aims to be a beacon of good practice. Keith distribution chains, as well as the manufacture and Jackson is coordinating a Carlisle Food City research use of local produce. project that is designed to capture and celebrate the The initial output from this research will be a map that producers, processors, retailers, cafes and restaurants plots the location of the local producers who supply that keep the city’s food tradition alive. This research Carlisle’s food retail and catering businesses. The includes an online survey for local producers, cafes, research will also be used to investigate and develop farmers and anyone else involved in the food industry the type of support these businesses require in within a 50 miles radius of Carlisle. today’s competitive market place.
and stimulating demand for local produce. Local volunteers deliver the meals to homes across the city.
People living in Water Street get the opportunity to develop skills in growing food, preparing food and basic cooking skills. While interaction with volunteers builds confidence, and helps clients to engage with the support offer. This in turn, helps people who are homeless to overcome barriers that prevent them from making positive changes in their lives. Any excess meals are frozen and are used to support rough sleepers. FAIR MEALS DIRECT AWARD Awareness raising among health, social care and housing practitioners Carlisle City Council and Fair Meals Direct, a not-for-profit social enterprise, has created additional capacity to are engaged in growing, sourcing, preparing and delivering freshly cooked enable community meals direct to seasonal, local food to elderly and housebound people assessed as requiring increase its offer to all older people, a hot meal. not just those assessed as requiring All the meals are prepared in Carlisle City Council’s Water Street temporary the service. Since April 2014, take up accommodation for Women and Families. The meals are prepared has increased from 20 people to 35 by a professional chef using seasonal produce sourced from within a people and the number of volunteers 30-mile radius of Carlisle, reducing food miles, helping the environment, has increased to 25. PHUNKYFOODS PhunkyFoods is an award-winning early years and primary school programme of healthy lifestyle lesson plans, resources and teacher training.
They provide teaching staff with the tools and training to deliver top quality, fun and healthy lifestyles lessons in school. The aim of the programme is to aid schools in meeting healthy lifestyles curriculum requirements by delivering key, consistent health messages in-line with current Government recommendations.
The programme also aims to help schools deliver a whole-school approach to healthy lifestyles and to engage with all pupils, and their families, in promoting tangible health behaviour changes in a fun, lively and positive manner.
Currently, 22 schools have taken advantage of the programme in Carlisle. Their Community Support Worker, Gill Douglas, is based in Carlisle and on hand to help schools implement the programme. Offering extended learning through workshops and extra-curricular activities and ensuring teaching staff are confident in delivering key healthy lifestyle messaging. Gill has delivered a number of workshops and assemblies in schools, reaching around 800 pupils so far. For further information, visit www.phunkyfoods.co.uk
13 PARTNERSHIP PROJECTS
THE LOCAL HEALTHY OPTIONS AWARD
The Local Healthy Options Award (LHOA) was set up as Officers have been trained in nutrition and can provide part of Carlisle Healthy City to reward those businesses businesses with free advice and suggest how simple who offer healthier choices and use local suppliers. The changes to their menus and food preparation practices main aims of the award are to enable customers to make can provide healthy and appealing dishes. healthier and more informed food choices, to contribute Since the launch of the Scheme in January 2015, a total positively to the nation’s health and support Government of 14 businesses have received the award, of which 10 public health campaigns, such as the Department of have achieved the prestigious gold award. Businesses Health’s, ‘Public Health Responsibility Deal’. attended a successful award ceremony allowing To qualify for the award local food establishments must engagement between businesses, officers, councillors maintain a high standard of food hygiene and food and local health professionals, including the Director of safety, incorporate healthier choices within their menus Public Health for Cumbria. The award supports local and provide evidence that food produce is sourced from businesses and the economy by encouraging the use local producers and suppliers. Applicants are required to of local produce and supplies. The introduction of the complete an assessment sheet followed by a visit from LHOA will contribute to healthier eating habits. a member of the Council’s Food Safety Team.
14 OFF THE WALL COFFEE SHOP, BRAMPTON - EMMA GOODMAN It has been such an honour to meal to suit their needs. Whether have had our love of food at Off that is wheat, gluten and dairy free The Wall recognised and to be put or just providing a smaller portion forward for and receive a ‘Gold’ of something. Local Healthy Options Award. For us it’s not just about low; fats, Being food conscious has been sugars and drinks. It’s also about important to us from when we first good quality natural ingredients, opened Off The Wall coffee shop in sourcing products from; local 2009. We’re a family run business, providers, free range, organic and with everyone bringing their own Fairtrade whenever possible. talents and skills together to Winning the award has helped create; food and a place that we It’s been fun sharing what we do us promote our healthy options, believe in. with the people we’ve met through showcasing what we offer. We’ve winning the award. We like to get to know the people been able to network and reach who come through our door other likeminded people. With Once again we really appreciate and hope that we can provide people finding us through Discover the hard work that’s being put in something for everyone. There is Carlisle and Food Carlisle on to supporting all the local food nothing nicer than seeing someone Twitter. businesses in Cumbria! Keep up smile when we can make them a the great work!
GP RECRUITMENT AND PROMOTING CARLISLE In and around Carlisle there have been significant Recruitment has now been raised as a specific issue that difficulties in recruiting GPs over the last couple of the Clinical Commissioning Group of Cumbria and other years. It is also recognised that in the coming years health partners, need to make a priority. Additionally the rate of GP retirement will increase so that 47% the Partnership Executive members have considered of our current GPs will have retired within the next 10 this topic as an issue and through the subgroups are years. Already recruitment is not keeping up with need advancing this agenda – examples include: digital so there is real concern around maintaining GP services training for GPs, exploring the opportunity to produce a in the coming years. In partnership with City Centre GP recruitment video with partners. If you are keen to help, Practices, Dr Chris Corrigan has recently championed please contact Emma Dixon. this issue and presented at a number of Careers Fairs across the North East and North West of England in a bid to promote the area and attract new resource into the area.
The Carlisle Partnership and Carlisle Ambassador programme have assisted in preparations for the events, by providing a wealth of promotional material, themed on the Carlisle Story. This was well received and feedback after the events has highlighted this as best practice. They have been overwhelmed by the support from partners in reference to promotional offers and items to promote the city.
15 FASHION RATION The Fashion Ration project was undertaken by the A 12-page feature in Carlisle Living magazine also UAL Foundation Diploma in Art and Design (Fashion followed, providing the students with an incredible Pathway) students at Carlisle College of the Arts in opportunity to model. commemoration of the centenary of the First World War. The Lanes Shopping Centre were keen partners, Students were supplied with a package containing the allowing a fashion show in Central Square linking in with vital ingredients to make a war inspired garment with a ‘pop-up’ arts exhibition that Carlisle College of the Arts items sourced and supplied by local charity shops. held in the former Clarks Shoes Unit.
However this project was not just about designing This project become so much more than a ‘fashion brief’. pretty outfits, it aimed to embed a deeper knowledge The support from the community has been astonishing, and understanding of the bigger picture of the world, special thanks go to Ted, a war veteran who not only including equality and diversity issues and contemporary modelled with the students on shoot but shared his own issues which are surrounding us today. war related experiences with them.
Cumbria’s Museum of Military Life hosted an exhibition Many of the students have since had their interviews for of the finished articles with a formal launch for the university courses and have received some extremely exhibition attended by local dignitaries including the positive feedback on the work which has been produced, Mayor of Carlisle who opened the exhibition. Fashion putting them in a great position to secure places at some workshops were also held in the Museum during of the best renowned colleges and universities around February half term, as part of the exhibition. the country. UNIVERSITY OF CUMBRIA INVESTS OVER £1M IN NEW FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT With science courses growing in popularity in schools and universities, the University of Cumbria continues to respond to demand by further investing in its facilities.
More than £1million will be invested in high-specification laboratory facilities at its Fusehill Street campus to support teaching on newly introduced subjects including Bsc (Hons) Biology Bsc (Hons) Zoology and Bsc (Hons) Marine and Fresh Water Conservation. The investment is a result of two The new initiative will also involve The new laboratory space will initially successful bids to England’s working closely with local FE College provide 40 bench spaces ready education funding authority, HEFCE, partners to ensure trained graduates for use when the new academic and to the Cumbria Local Enterprise are ready to meet the needs of local year starts in September 2015. For Partnership, as well as matched employers. 2016 onwards, the university will investment from the university and For more information, visit additionally develop new courses in forms part of the university’s wider www.cumbria.ac.uk chemistry, biomedical science and ambition to attract bright students other science related areas. into Cumbria.
OLD FIRE STATION Carlisle’s Old Fire Station was officially opened on Friday The arts centre additionally supports local business and 15 May 2015. It is a multi-purpose venue, offering a the newly opened McGrew’s Bistro is now open and space for live performances, rehearsals, exhibitions, serving food throughout the day. meetings, parties and many other events that bring For more information, please visit people together. It has already got more than 70 events oldfirestation.carlisle.city confirmed, ranging from spoken word and comedy to dance and a wide variety of music.
Another growing element is the use of the venue for meetings, conferences and seminars, especially those geared to invigorating and promoting the area. From the start, the intention was for the building to be part of enhancing Carlisle’s appeal as a destination and add to both its cultural and economic value.
We are connecting with new partners all the time and already have links with many organisations around the city and county, including the Arts Council (who awarded us £40,000), the University of Cumbria and Tullie House.
17 HIGH IMPACT AWARD FOR GLOBAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP WEEK The University of Cumbria and Cumbria Chamber of Arts Council England, Bluefin Insurance, Dodd & Co Commerce were rewarded for their efforts with a High Accountants, HMRC, Pulse Creative Marketing and the Impact award from Youth Business International, the Intellectual Property Office. charity responsible for Global Entrepreneurship Week. For more information, visit www.cumbria.ac.uk/ It’s the second year running both have won the accolade. entrepreneurship2014 or contact A week of partnership activities celebrating [email protected] entrepreneurship in Cumbria culminated with a business master class for the next generation of business leaders presented by BBC Apprentice stars Dr Margaret Mountford and Tim Campbell.
Delivered as part of the Cumbria Business Growth Hub programme, the event saw nearly 150 local businesses, prestart businesses, students and graduates make their way to the university’s Fusehill Street campus and was one of a number of events hosted by the university and Cumbria Chamber of Commerce during 2014.
Other events during the week were delivered at the Carlisle Business Interaction Centre and the university’s Brampton Road campus by experts from the university’s Business School, Cumbria Chamber of Commerce,
CARLISLE SKILLS FAIR This was up from around 70 the previous year. The businesses represented all sectors including media, financial, law, retail, care, hospitality, travel, education and all of the businesses were offering either apprenticeships, training opportunities or job vacancies in the Carlisle area.
More than 2,000 young people, school leavers and job seekers attended the event. They were able to speak to employers and to see for themselves the opportunities that were available in Carlisle.
The event is now very popular amongst schools, training providers and businesses. Carlisle Skills Fair is fortunate to have been sponsored by local training providers and the Skills Funding Agency for the past two years. The event has been scheduled to be held again on Thursday Carlisle Skills Fair is now an annual event, organised for 28 January 2016 at The Sands Centre, Carlisle. Please the past two years, by John Stevenson MP. Carlisle Skills follow @skillsfair on Twitter for further information Fair 2015 saw almost 100 businesses exhibit. throughout the year. An update from last year’s Forum venue... CARLISLE BUSINESS INTERACTION CENTRE: REFLECTIONS 18 MONTHS ON With support from Carlisle City Council, the University of The CBIC is a focal point for a number of EU funded Cumbria launched Carlisle Business Interaction Centre projects and has hosted a range of Cumbria Business (CBIC) in November 2013 to a positive response from Growth Hub training and master-class events. Through businesses, students, stakeholders and staff. these projects it has assisted over 50 businesses by providing graduate placements, provided 21 businesses Situated in Carlisle’s historic quarter on Paternoster with accredited training in Prince 2 Project Management Row, the centre is a hub for businesses and individuals and Six Sigma, and 110 businesses have attended seeking to access expertise and support particularly master-classes delivered by high-profile speakers. from the University business school, enterprise and regional economic development teams. Also based at the centre is The Centre for Regional Economic Development (CRED). Renowned for its A number of small businesses rent office space in research expertise, it has recently produced reports on the facility and an increasing number of business and skills and employment and inter-firm relationships in the individuals are using the well-equipped meeting rooms, nuclear supply chain. Current research activity includes shared workspace and hot-desks, taking advantage the socio-economic analysis of Carlisle. of super-fast broadband connections alongside video conferencing facilities. The centre continues to build on its success and provide tangible benefits to the business community. For more The feedback from students and graduates attending information, visit www.cumbria.ac.uk/cbic or contact business related courses at the centre has been 01228 888740. excellent and many have engaged with activities hosted in the CBIC such as business networking events. Those wishing to start their own business are able to access enterprising skills development activities and other support from the university’s Student Enterprise Co-ordinator also based at the CBIC.
The venue is a popular choice for the Cumbria Chamber of Commerce Business Start-Up Support programme of events and training courses, which attracts new and existing businesses from across Cumbria.
‘YOUR CARLISLE’ KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER PARTNERSHIP The ‘Your Carlisle’ Knowledge Transfer Partnership shared with one of the businesses (Ashbridge & Brown) brings ESRC funding to Carlisle to help promote our where Emma Kerr the KTP associate proudly showed local high street businesses. The partnership is a a ten minute video that captured the enthusiasm and collaboration between Carlisle’s independent high street diversity of high street businesses. This video is also businesses, Carlisle City Council, University of Cumbria available on the website. and Carlisle College. This year it has already worked There are now 30 businesses on the website, with nine with Carlisle College’s EDGE scheme to help businesses from food and drink, eight from service industries (from upgrade their social media skills and in consultation with hairdressing to architects) and 13 from retail and in the the high street businesses it has developed a website three months before its official launch the website had http://yourcarlisle.co.uk that captures the flavour that over 3,000 page visits. Now the site has been officially they bring to our city. launched, Emma is keen to recruit more businesses onto The ‘Your Carlisle’ website was launched at the the website and can be contacted via the university or on Cumberland Show on Saturday 6th June on a stand twitter @your_carlisle
19 AND FINALLY…
A BIG thank you goes out to each and every one of you for your continued support and fantastic partnership contributions. Without you, this work would not happen. A special thanks to everyone who has contributed to this newsletter and has been involved in pulling it together. Images were supplied by the organisations included within the newsletter plus CN Group Ltd and www.sjstudios.co.uk For further information about Carlisle Partnership activities or subgroups, please contact: [email protected]
Produced by Carlisle City Council