Independent Evaluation of Digital Media Exchange (Dmex)

Independent Evaluation of Digital Media Exchange (DMEx)

Liz Kettle Writer and Consultant EUROPEAN UNION Investing in Your Future European Regional Development Fund 2007-13 Oct 2013 - June 2015 Acknowledgements Contents

This independent evaluation report was commissioned by the Digital Media Summary 1 Exchange partners –-Community Media Solutions, Cultural Industries Quarter Agency, SOAR Community, SERO Consulting, Sheffield Community Media, Sheffield Local Television, Commedia Sheffield, Community Media Association, Heeley 1 Introduction 2 Development Trust, The Sheffield College – and co-financed by the European Union 1.1 Aims and Objectives of DMEx 2 from the European Regional Development Fund as part of Europe’s support for the region’s economic development through the 2007-2013 Yorkshire and Humber ERDF 1.2 The context for DMEx 2 Programme. 1.3 Aims and objectives of the evaluation 4

The report was researched and written by Liz Kettle, Writer and Consultant 1.4 Research methods 4

© 2015 Digital Media Exchange 2 Project delivery 5 All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in 2.1 Partnership 5 a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or in any means – by electronic, 2.2 Achievements and timeline 6 mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise – without prior written permission. 3 Outcomes 8 Further information is available at: 3.1 Enabling local journalism, content production and www.dmex.org.uk community engagement 8 Case study 1: Neon Tech Productions 10 or by contacting: Case study 2: Cool Beans 11 Community Media Solutions 3.2 Enabling new pathways into employment and 15 Paternoster Row self-employment 12 Sheffield S1 2BX Case study 3: Joanne Jenkins 13 Case study 4: James Woollen 14 3.3 Fostering social enterprises 15 Case study 5: theCHAT 16 3.4 Benefiting communities and groups 17 Case study 6: Learn for Life Enterprise 19 Case study 7: IMAN Media 20 3.5 Effective methods of support 21

4 Outputs 24 4.1 Progress against targets 24 4.2 Challenges 24 4.3 Success factors 25 5 Lessons learnt and conclusions 26 Summary 1. Introduction

This is an evaluation of the Digital Media At the same time, DMEx was unique in its offer Digital Media Exchange (DMEx) was a £1.06 • ensure that people in Sheffield can access Exchange (DMEx) project in Sheffield. It covers of combining digital media skills with business million partnership project, part-funded by the digital media production and distribution October 2013 – June 2015. development support. This enabled a range of European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). facilities and specialist technical and social new pathways for people into work. These were Its overall aim was to promote jobs and enterprise enterprise support irrespective of geography.2 Findings are based on research, meetings overwhelmingly on a sole-trader or self-employed in Sheffield and South Yorkshire by supporting and interviews with 21 people including DMEx basis reflecting the economic reality of the media local people to work with a range of digital media. DMEx followed the larger and more ambitious partners, Digital Media Centre (DMC) staff and the industry and local economy. Sheffield Community Network. It was timed to project’s beneficiaries. Key findings include: DMEx built on the infrastructure of the Sheffield capitalise on a significant amount of funding for, Working for social benefit was a key theme that Community Network. This was a much larger and the launch of, a new local digital TV channel Background was embedded in DMEx. Initially there was a (£4.6 million) project that was also funded by the called Sheffield Live TV. lack of clarity about the definition of a social ERDF and ran until 2013. DMEx was established with the aim of supporting enterprise and how this fitted with self-employed In order to achieve its aims and objectives, deprived communities and disadvantaged social sole traders, but the project resolved this issue This evaluation reports on the progress and DMEx undertook these activities: groups in South Yorkshire to learn and use digital to show that many also had primarily social achievements of DMEx during the lifetime of the skills for jobs and businesses, and be part of objectives. project, from its inception up until June 2015. • Production, distribution and network new economic opportunities in a range of digital services media. As well as individuals setting up businesses, 1.1 Aims and Objectives of DMEx Installing transmission facilities, and upgrading DMEx has also benefited communities and and buying studio equipment needed for the new It follows - and builds on the existing groups in Sheffield in a range of ways, from DMEx was set up “to support digital participation local TV station. infrastructure from - the previously ERDF funded access to a new television station specifically and economic engagement of deprived Sheffield Community Network. The evaluation of set up for communities, through to directly communities and disadvantaged social groups • Neighbourhood environments for digital SCN and current statistics showed that there was supporting a number of community groups to use including young people at risk of exclusion. It participation and inclusion still a need for such a project. digital media. will also strengthen community voices, improve Facilities and mentoring for media production access to information and services, build a and business support based in two existing Project delivery There is evidence that DMEx employed effective culture of innovation, creativity and enterprise, neighbourhood centres (called Digital Media methods of support in offering free, one-to-one, and contribute to effective communications and Centres) and The Sheffield College. Also Partnership was a key factor in the DMEx project, client-led mentoring and support in a range ICT usage1.” developing a network of new Digital Media with 10 different organisations working together of locations and with the draw of specialist Centres across Sheffield. to deliver a range of linked and complementary equipment and committed project staff. The objectives of the project were to: support. • Cross-platform digital media enterprise Outputs • improve connectivity to economic incubator In just one year of delivery, DMEx achieved a opportunities using public access and Facilities and mentoring for media production great deal including successfully setting up The project performed extremely well in relation community-based ICT facilities to remove and business support based at Sheffield Live’s significant infrastructure and new opportunities to three of its formal targets (businesses assisted, the digital divide and to tackle social and offices in the city centre. This included specialist for people in Sheffield to work in the digital media businesses created and jobs safeguarded) and economic exclusion software and production equipment, and was industry, and to use digital technology to support reasonably well in the other two targets (social • promote social entrepreneurship and a linked to potential for broadcasting on Sheffield new local businesses. enterprises assisted and jobs created). culture of enterprise through support for a Live TV, Radio and website. network of community-based digital media Outcomes Conclusions production facilities in Sheffield and South 1.2 The context for DMEx Yorkshire DMEx expanded the potential for local journalism A number of lessons can be taken from the • create new sustainable jobs in creative, media The links between digital and economic exclusion in Sheffield through the launch of a new DMEx experience, including considering and digital technologies are now widely accepted. People who suffer deep community television station. It also supported improved referral systems, skill-sharing and • support the development of effective social disadvantage are up to seven times more people in different communities to produce a targeted promotion in any similar future project. communications and ICT usage in the work likely to be disengaged from the internet than are diverse and substantial range of content for environment and at community level and to those who are socially advantaged3. community radio, individual websites and social The findings of the evaluation endorse the contribute to community ICT strategies media. development of a future project building on the achievements of DMEx. 1 Digital Media Exchange ERDF application 2 Digital Media Exchange ERDF application 3 Helsper, Ellen (2008) Digital Inclusion: An Analysis of Social Disadvantage and the Information Society 01 02 1. Introduction 1. Introduction

Initiatives such as UK Online Centres and Learn Local context Building on SCN As stated in the research brief, given the limited Direct are well-established in training people in timescale and budget for the evaluation, the data basic digital skills. People setting up their own Internet use in Yorkshire and the Humber is Although it was a new and distinct project; the collected can only allow indicative answers business can also usually get some kind of below the national average. In some parts of aims, ethos, physical infrastructure (and all of to these questions. business advice and support from their local South Yorkshire, over 15 percent of adults have the partners) of DMEx followed closely from the authority or Chamber of Commerce. However, never used the internet10. Sheffield Community Network. The findings of Although this report includes some basic there are very few programmes that aim to build the SCN evaluation validated ‘the need for a quantitative data about project targets and capacity to create jobs and enterprises Sheffield is the 56th most deprived local programme like SCN,’ and reflected that, ‘There outputs, its essential focus is on qualitative specifically through digital engagement. authority district in England11 with higher than is clearly a demand for support in developing information provided by both staff and national average unemployment rates12. The enterprise with a digital element, either as a beneficiaries of the project. National context two Digital Media Centres in the DMEx core component of the product or service programme were based in wards of Sheffield offered or as part of the supporting infrastructure 1.4 Research methods Access to the internet continues to grow in Great with significant deprivation. In Heeley, over a of business…Such a programme can contribute Britain. Over three quarters of adults use it every third of people are living in areas classed as to the dual aims within the city and sub-region of Findings come from research undertaken day, and internet access by households has also amongst the 10 percent most deprived in rebalancing the economy towards growth between November 2014 and June 2015 increased dramatically over the last decade4. England; and some of Southey falls within the sectors through digital enterprise while including: top 5 percent most severely deprived13. achieving real benefits for disadvantaged These figures follow global trends, and in the groups and areas.” 17 • face to face interviews with 10 DMEx staff, UK, a series of government-led initiatives to At the same time, local and regional including those based in five of the delivery promote digital inclusion and e-learning. governments are stating the value of digital 1.3 Aims and objectives of the research partners’ organisations However, research also shows that in the UK media businesses for boosting the economy, • face to face interviews with 5 project there are still 4 million households without generating jobs and helping to enrich This report aims to reflect on the outcomes and beneficiaries internet access5 and that one in five adults communities. impact of DMEx, with a focus on the five • telephone interview with 1 project beneficiary doesn’t have basic digital skills6. research questions set out in the research brief: • data and quotes from face to face interviews Central government is championing local TV as with 5 project beneficiaries conducted as part People who don’t use the internet are more a way of supporting new jobs and giving local 1. To what extent has DMEx enabled the of internal evaluation process likely to be aged over 65, from lower social and communities a choice of programmes14. In development of local journalism, content • attending six meetings of the project’s economic groups, have no formal qualifications Sheffield, local business leaders list the creative production and community engagement steering group or be female7. and digital industry as one of the city’s highest across Sheffield? • attending Digital Opportunities – Pathways to value sectors, and important for driving future 2. To what extent has DMEx enabled new Enterprise event, 25 June 2015 And when it comes to jobs and businesses, economic growth in the region15 16. pathways for individuals into employment • reviewing and considering use of DMEx nearly a third of UK companies and charities or self-employment? website and social media also still lack basic digital skills8. Estimates 3. How successful has the project been in • internal DMEx evaluation reports and suggest that digital technology could unlock fostering specifically social enterprises? materials nearly £20 billion in revenue for UK small and 4. To what extent has DMEx benefited • data provided by Community Media Solutions 9 medium-sized businesses . 10 Office for National Statistics (2014) Internet Access communities and groups as well as including the evaluation of the Sheffield Quarterly Update, Q1 2014 individuals? This includes both Community Network 11 https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/your-citycouncil/sheffield- communities of place and interest, and the • desk research into national and local context profile/deprivation-statistics.html impact on disadvantaged groups such as Accessed Feb 2015 female and BME entrepreneurs. Some of the data collected has already been 4 12 Sheffield First Partnership (2014) State of Sheffield Office for National Statistics (2014) Internet Access 5. What lessons can be learnt about effective included in the interim report published in – Households and Individuals 2014 5 Office for National Statistics (2014) Internet Access 13 https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/your-citycouncil/sheffield- methods of support that enable February 2015. It is reproduced here where – Households and Individuals profile/ward-profiles.html Accessed communities and individuals to participate relevant to the key findings. 6 Go On UK (Accessed Feb 2015) http://www.goon.co.uk/ Feb 2015 better in the digital economy? our-vision/ 14 Department for Culture, Media and Sport (2013) 7 BBC (2014) Media Literacy: Understanding Digital Connectivity, Content and Consumers: Britain’s Capabilities digital platform for growth 8 Go On UK (Accessed Feb 2015) http://www.goon.co.uk/ 15 Sheffield First Partnership (2014) State of Sheffield our-vision/ 2014 17 Sheffield Hallam University Centre for Regional 9 Booz & Company (2012) This is for Everyone: The 16 http://sheffieldcityregion.org.uk/about/overview/ Economic and Social Research (2013) Final Case for Universal Digitisation Accessed Feb 2015 Evaluation of the Sheffield Community Network 03 04 2. Project Delivery 2. Project Delivery

2.1 Partnership • Community Media Association business advice could benefit by being referred from BME (black and minority ethnic) Strategic advice, promotion, communications and to expert support available at other DMEx communities and other communities of interest. Partnership was a key element of the DMEx specialist enterprise support. partners. project with 10 different organisations coming • The Sheffield College Once the funding began to reach the partners in together with the aim of delivering a range of Delivery partner – digital media and business Since then some progress has been made spring/summer 2014, work also began out in linked and complementary support. development support for students. towards encouraging closer work with networking other areas of the city. SOAR, the community support for Digital Media Centres offered by new organisation based at Parson Cross in north DMEx was made up of these partners: This report looks primarily at the support offered staff at CIQA. Sheffield, has a dedicated Digital Media Centre by the delivery partners listed above, and the equipped with Apple iMacs, PCs and access to • Community Media Solutions (CMS) quotes included are from these organisations. 2.2 Achievements and Timeline camcorders, digital cameras and video Lead organisation in charge of project conferencing facilities. Demand from local management and monitoring. Also specialist Apart from the new Sheffield Live TV group In the project’s short lifetime, DMEx successfully people (and those outside the area) for support support for media business development. (Sheffield Community Media and Sheffield Local set up significant infrastructure and new to set up websites and use digital media to back • Cultural Industries Quarter Agency Television), all the organisations were part of opportunities for people in Sheffield to work in up businesses was high, with waiting lists needed (CIQA) the SCN, the larger forerunner to the DMEx the digital media industry, or use digital on occasions. SOAR over-achieved its targets for Delivery partner – creative digital and business project. This meant that relationships between technology to support new local businesses. setting up and supporting local businesses. development support. Strategic support and partners were to some degree already development of existing and new Digital Media established. The start date for DMEx was brought forward to The Digital Media Centre based at Heeley Centres. 27 September 2013 (the date of the letter of Development Trust, just south of the city centre • Sheffield Community Media Representatives from each organisation were acceptance of the outline application) only in was based next door to the Heeley Online Media investment and asset management invited to the project’s monthly steering groups, order to capture match funding commitments. resource. Again, local people, usually on low including acquiring studio, equipment and and nearly all regularly attended. These meetings Following this, however, delays in signing incomes or benefits, were supported and given ICT facilities at Sheffield Live. ran efficiently, offering partners a chance to contracts meant that ERDF funding was not the confidence to use digital media, set up their • Sheffield Local Television discuss ongoing work including delivery and available until spring/summer 2014, with the own businesses and start trading. Delivery partner – city centre based, offering output capture, monthly claims and reporting, DMEx launch event in July 2014. This meant a business development, media production, promotion, communication and risk management. reduction in delivery timescales for most Over at The Sheffield College’s Norton site in technical assistance and access to broadcast on The meetings also offered the potential to look at activities to one year, with initial work being the south of the city, £100k of new equipment Sheffield Live TV/website. joint work and referrals. undertaken “at risk.” was bought including a Tricaster vision mixer, • Commedia Sheffield HD cameras and other peripheries. The vision Delivery partner – city centre based, offering This network, made up of a number of Early on in the project, substantial work was mixer exactly matched the one used at Sheffield business development, media production, organisations with different expertise, facilities done buying and installing equipment for a new Live TV so that content produced at The Sheffield technical assistance and access to broadcast on and based in different locations, was a central local TV transmission and distribution network. College could be broadcast from the city centre Sheffield Live radio/website. strength of DMEx. However, it also meant that Equipment and studio facilities in the centre of studio. By the autumn term, students were • Heeley Development Trust there were 10 different sets of organisational Sheffield were then either installed or upgraded. being trained to use this new and transportable Delivery partner – neighbourhood based Digital cultures, working practices and priorities. So equipment, enabling up to 5 camera live mixes of Media Centre based in Heeley offering digital perhaps inevitably - and when combined with At the beginning of 2014, the embryonic Sheffield events. Students were also supported to set up media and business development support for pressure on time and resources - some partners Live TV put out a call for people to come forward their own media production businesses. local people. felt “self-contained”, “insular” “lonely” with “no with ideas for future programmes, and held three • SOAR Community links.” well-attended public meetings. By summer, On 23 September 2014, Sheffield Live TV began Delivery partner – neighbourhood Digital Media part-time mentors specialising in creative media broadcasting. The launch and continued Centre based in Parson Cross offering digital “The people that are actually working producing and business advice were employed and working running of a new digital television channel on media and business development support for the outputs don’t really get the opportunity to get with a range of potential new media production Freeview, cable and broadband – including a local people. together (for) cross-sharing of information and to businesses. These entrepreneurs had free access syndication arrangement with BBC Regions for • Sero Consulting say what skill set and resources are available.” to new equipment including cameras and editing news content – was the result of a huge amount Strategic support on project monitoring, software. of work, time and commitment. evaluation and sustainability. The issue of referrals and the network was highlighted in the interim report. Some partners At the same time, the city’s well-established said that clients needing, for instance, specialist community radio station continued to support and work with local programme makers, often

05 06 2. Project Delivery 3. Outcomes

During this time, CIQA began some preliminary In January 2015, Sheffield Live TV recruited a 3.1 To what extent has DMEx enabled the effect at Heeley, where the part time member of work looking at developing the network of DMCs. new Production Manager and Production development of local journalism, content staff who was employed with DMEx funding had In October, it began a programme of Lunch Plus Assistant. As well as mentoring, their role production and community engagement? publications skills that she could use at other meetings to showcase the potential of digital included outreach work and potentially making times on the local magazine. Both DMCs were media for employment. links with other DMEx partners. DMEx has significantly expanded the potential keen for their clients to become “news stories” for local journalism in Sheffield through the on Sheffield Live TV and Radio in order to promote Three part-time staff were recruited in November Because of the initial delays in funding, the launch of a new community television station, or showcase their businesses, but again lack of 2014. They worked for the remaining six months project tried negotiating with the Department for Sheffield Live TV. The project has also supported staff and capacity limited this. of the project mapping out existing and potential Local Government and Communities (who people in different communities to produce a DMCs in Sheffield, and looking at appropriate administrated the ERDF funding) for a three diverse and substantial range of content for DMEx funded The Sheffield College to give ways to support them, including running a series month extension until September 2015. This community radio, individual websites and social specialist media and business development of networking meetings. proved unsuccessful. media. advice to students studying for Foundation Degree in Media Production. In terms of local journalism, CIQA also hoped to influence economic policy On 25 June, DMEx held a celebratory final Local journalism some productions involved the recording and so that the value of DMCs is recognised and event called Digital Opportunities – Pathways to screening of local sporting events, which were sustained in the future. As part of this work, it Enterprise. Sheffield Live TV now has an HD quality TV presenter led. produced two publications: DMC Examples and production studio in the city and since September Best Practice and DMC Network Guide. The project spent 80% of potential funding 2014 has been broadcasting on Freeview, cable Content production (£815,000 of £1,064,000). and broadband. An arrangement with BBC Regions means that news content can be Two main types of content production have syndicated to BBC TV. resulted from DMEx, produced with different skills and for very different purposes: “The whole thing about Sheffield Live is that we want to develop community journalists. From the • programmes, footage and material for grassroots feeding into the station from their broadcasting geographical communities of interest, that’s key • websites, marketing and social media to what we want to develop.” material to support businesses.

Local journalists were also supported at Sheffield Sheffield Live needed a substantial amount of Live TV’s sister community radio station to programme content to broadcast on local TV produce content for programmes, with some of and radio. Its support and mentoring enabled the groups and individuals broadcasting on both. groups and individuals to produce much material. They have had the opportunity to learn how to use specialist software and equipment, with business DMEx funding allowed The Sheffield College to development support from specialist enterprise buy equipment to video external events for advisors. broadcasting. This equipment matched the facilities at Sheffield Live, so that content Although there were strong aspirations at produced by students could potentially go out on Sheffield Live to link the new TV station with the local TV station. local journalists in Heeley and other DMCs, lack of staff and capacity meant that these links were Early on in the project, Heeley Development Trust limited. Funding delays meant that production had exploratory discussions with Sheffield Live staff responsible for outreach and making links about recording local live music performances were not recruited until January 2015. for broadcast. Both the DMCs at Heeley and SOAR were keen for their clients to have their Neither of the two DMCs felt that their DMEx businesses showcased as features on Sheffield work directly involved developing local journalism. Live TV or radio, including learning how to make However, the project had a knock-on their own promotional videos.

07 08 3. Outcomes Case Study 1: Enabling local journalism and content production Again, lack of staff and capacity meant that this more people might want to get involved and make was not possible. their own programmes. However, there has been a certain amount of frustration about the reach of Otherwise both the DMCs at Heeley and SOAR the station, as some areas of Sheffield are unable were clear that the digital content that they to receive the signal. Subject to future funding, Both Josh and Ashley can list a range of new produced was for websites and social media to there are plans to improve this with an extra skills that they have gained from DMEx. support local people setting up or maintaining transmitter in north Sheffield. their own businesses. “It’s organisation everywhere! It’s been planning Community engagement was integral and everything and making sure there is good time “The people we’re working with are producing central to the two DMCs based in well- management. And from a technical standpoint, I digital content for their needs which are not established, successful community organisations have now been in every single role: camera linked to the production of radio or TV.” in Parson Cross and Heeley. operator, director, editor, producer. So I’ve learnt a lot,” said Josh. Community engagement “We have engaged with a lot of people locally, the community engagement’s been very good.” “As well as supporting us starting the business, Sheffield Live radio has a long-established new equipment bought under DMEx funding history of community engagement. “More people will see the clients that we’re gave us the ability to do more and more jobs. So working with, so from a community engagement Neon Tech Productions I’ve learned how to use professional equipment, “We have broadcasting in different languages, point of view we have a greater contact with how to work as a team and how to manage a we have broadcasting for different communities people with a much greater reach.” Josh Hague and Ashley Foulstone are Media business,” said Ashley. such as the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Production students at The Sheffield College, Transgender) community, we have programmes Both DMCs did consider targeted outreach work and the first people in their families to go on to On top of new technical and business abilities, made for and by people with disabilities…the for DMEx in the community but were limited by higher education. They signed up to be part of the two recognise that the experience has helped success of Sheffield Live is its geographical lack of staff and resources. the DMEx project when the Sheffield Sharks them to develop personal and communication communities but also communities of interest. basketball team came to the college looking for skills too. And obviously they both cross over as well and A major strength of DMEx was that it combined someone to video and broadcast their games. that’s the key.” a range of different methods for community “It has taught me to be calm under pressure. engagement, in order to reach out to different Along with other students, they were trained to You’ve just got to get on. If you don’t, it will just Sheffield Live TV is striving to build on this model. types of people. For example, Sheffield Live use a new portable Tricaster (vision mixer and all start falling apart. It has built my confidence Early on in the project, it put out a call for people radio had a long and well-established history of recorder) and HD video cameras. This industry loads. I used to be a wreck when I was at school, to come up with programmes and held public working with volunteers who were passionate standard equipment made it possible to record but I’m not like that now. I can’t be, I’m too busy,” meetings. It received about 120 programme about issues and culture in their communities. professional looking, multi-camera, live shows said Josh. proposals this way. The feeling at Sheffield Live and events. The Tricaster mirrored the one bought was that this was the appropriate way to reach Sheffield Live TV appeared to work with perhaps a and used by Sheffield Live TV which was just “It has changed me. It has definitely built my out to communities. more educated and “professional” group of people being launched and hungry for new programmes. confidence. I used to be shy about working in a and students to produce programme content. team, I wouldn’t communicate with new people. “We need to obviously go to people and say “The timing really made sense. We thought it But now I’m bringing new people in, training “we’re here if you need us, we want to help and The neighbourhood-based DMCs were able to was a pretty amazing opportunity – especially to them up and I communicate well,” said Ashley. support you”. But parachuting in and saying, oh reach local people, often on low incomes or get stuff on TV,” said Josh. we really need a Polish programme or a benefits, so that they could harness digital media http://www.ntproductions.co.uk/ programme from Saudi, or from wherever, for their own businesses, something which they With business support from DMEx, Josh and doesn’t work. The need has to come from the would have been unlikely to have done without the Ashley registered Neon Tech Productions as a community itself.” project. limited company. They also had help negotiating a tricky sponsorship deal and began to make There was the hope that the TV channel would some income. Neon Tech expanded to work with in itself be a form of promotion within the about 20 other Sheffield College students. community: the more people watched it, the

09 10 Case Study 2: Enabling content 3. Outcomes production 3.2 To what extent has DMEx enabled new The two DMCs supported local people, often on pathways for individuals into employment or low incomes or benefits, back into the labour self-employment? market by setting up a range of small enterprises.

Cool Beans benefited from a range of creative DMEx has been unique in combining teaching “It really opened it up for local people. Everyone and technical advice including use of computers people digital media skills with business who’s come to me knew that they had to register and industry-standard editing software available development support. This resulted in enabling as self-employed to have a business, but it’s here 24 hours a day. a range of new pathways for people into work. that enabled them to do that.”

“The main thing we learnt was the overall ability Sheffield Live used mentors with specialist skills Examples include a mobile crèche, a masseuse, to put together a TV show. We’d never done in either creative media or business development artists, music teachers, and businesses selling a anything like it before, and structuring the show to give this support. This facilitated the start- variety of things from Sheffield mugs and was one of the trickiest things to get our heads up of a number of freelance journalists, music personalised chocolate to cosmetics and juice. round. So there were lots of tips about getting promoters and small production companies. Again, these were mainly on a sole trader or self- your intro theme, outro theme and idents sorted. Nearly all of these have been on a self- employment basis. We’ve learnt about efficient ways to film so if we employment basis. had recurring sketches we film stuff in blocks.” Some of the new small businesses that DMEx Cool Beans “It’s the nature of the beast, because of the way supported have created jobs and may go on to Cool Beans made a series of six shows for the media industry has become structured now, employ other individuals, but the new pathways Chris Arnold originally started Cool Beans in Sheffield Live TV. The first episode was shown it is based on freelancers.” that the project created were overwhelmingly for 2010 as a DJ and events management business. during the local TV station’s launch week in self-employment. It then evolved, and he worked with a team of September 2014. Series One was well-received, The Sheffield College supported students to about ten other people, to make smallscale music and subsequently bought by the Made Television create mainly video production companies, with This finding perhaps reflects the current videos and comedy sketches. Network to be shown in Leeds, Cardiff, Bristol and any work being on a self-employment basis. economic context and employment patterns both Tyne and Wear. Made Television commissioned in the media industry and in Sheffield. It also In 2014, as part of the DMEx project, Sheffield a second series, and now there is interest from “75% of the work for graduates is freelance. had an impact on the project’s social enterprise Live TV provided an opportunity for Cool Beans other TV channels too. Chris and his friends are We’re engaging with them to think, I’m maybe targets. to make - and ultimately sell - television shows. now talking about the idea of forming a Cool Beans not going to get a 20 year career with the BBC production company. or ITV or be a film producer hired by a company “It was really important. The fact that they said for the rest of my life. They’re going to work you’ve got a slot for a TV show motivated us all “The Cool Beans TV show is essentially one very project to project, and we’re trying to get them to to actually go out and make something. Once long pilot of 12 episodes showcasing what we can think that way.” you’ve been given that deadline it’s a big thing. do!” You think let’s do it!” http://welovecoolbeans.com/

11 12 Case Study 3: Enabling pathways into Case Study 4: Enabling pathways3. Outcomes into employment and self-employment employment and self-employment

She shared a partnership with three other artists James started the business in 2009, when he was in High Green until last year but then decided to living in Lincolnshire. When he moved to Sheffield make a go of it on her own. he was referred to SOAR for business mentoring by the disability employment agency, Remploy, where “When I left High Green studio, I needed a new he met DMEx Coordinator Vanessa Kirby. website of my own. In April I was referred to SOAR, a community regeneration charity that provides a She suggested a number of outlets for his work range of services designed to improve a person’s and helped him to set up his website. health, well-being and employability.” “Vanessa has been very patient with me. She’s Joanne met Vanessa Kirby, the Digital Media helped with contacts and the work on the website Exchange Co-ordinator, who helped her set up as well. I could add to it but I would not have been her website, using Create.net. Joanne needed a able to set it up as it is now.” Joanne Jenkins website that did not just display her artwork but James Woollen also allowed online payments, like an online shop. Vanessa has also helped James to find teaching Joanne Jenkins regretted missing out on art Setting up PayPal was tricky with working out James Woollen left Abbeydale Grange school in work at Longley 4G Community Centre as well as college. She left school at 16 and earned a weight, postage and packing. Sheffield with one GCSE in art and a diagnosis starter classes in glass-painting for people with living, first as a hairdresser, then as a florist. of dyslexia and dyspraxia. Twenty five years later mental health problems at Shiregreen community But she had always carried on with her painting. “I had to be able to update the website myself. and after a variety of jobs which were terminated centre. “I don’t think I would have got the classes Then, 23 years later, her artistic talents were Vanessa has shown me how and helped me for health reasons, James decided to start up his either.” recognised and she was advised to take an access through when I got stuck.” own arts and crafts business. course in Art and Design at Loxley College (now In addition to business advice and help with the Hillsborough College). This ‘just-in-time’ ongoing support, involving The DMEx project helped him to take advantage website, support from SOAR has also resulted phone calls and regular meetings, was essential of the internet to sell his own ceramics, paintings in James meeting people in the area and The access course led to a Fine Arts degree at to help Joanne develop independent control of and glass-painting, as well as postcards. extending his own networks. Huddersfield University 10 years ago. Since her website, which went live in July 2014. then she made a living through her artwork and http://jwoollen.com/ teaching art classes to adults in various venues “Vanessa had some great ideas and I’m very around Sheffield. happy with the results.”

“It’s difficult to make a living through art alone, http://joannecjenkins.co.uk/ so I have to top up my income by teaching.”

13 14 3. Outcomes Case Study 5: Fostering social enterprises 3.3 How successful has the project been The project steering group discussed the issue in fostering specifically social and decided to take action. Community Media enterprises? Solutions (the partner managing DMEx) did some research, noting that the definition that the Working for social benefit was a key theme that Department for Communities and Local Carol also found having the Digital Media Centre was embedded in DMEx and written into the Government used for the ERDF programme was based in her local neighbourhood was valuable. project’s aims. All of the DMEx partners were taken from the Cabinet Office: themselves set up as not-for-profit organisations. “I live a two minute walk away and I’ve used it to “Social enterprises are businesses with primarily hot desk when I’ve had IT issues at home. It’s been “A lot of people think social enterprise just means social objectives whose surpluses are principally really good to be able to work in an office amongst not-for-profit; and not-for-profit means you’re not reinvested for that purpose in the business or in supportive people.” making any money, which actually has never been the community, rather than being driven by the the case – it’s always been a matter of what you need to maximise profit for shareholders and Having a professional online presence meant do with the profits.” owners.”18 that theCHAT was able to seize an opportunity for publicity on national radio. With DMEx support, “We’ve done a fair bit, we always try to talk to It also found that the Cabinet Office included theCHAT created a campaign logo and materials, people setting up businesses to really think sole traders as social enterprises in a recent ready on its website when Carol launched a about social enterprises, we try to push that paper on Social Enterprise Market Trends.19 theCHAT brand new campaign called Itsnotmybag on BBC side of things more than would be done in the Woman’s Hour. Itsnotmybag supports young mainstream because that’s quite important for So although the bulk of the project’s Science teacher Carol Perry was disturbed to women to have the confidence to say no to ‘porn us… most of the people we’ve got at the moment beneficiaries were registered as sole traders, discover that children were being regularly sex’, a phrase coined by teenage girls referring to are set up as sole traders because of the many also had primarily social objectives and exposed to easily available online pornography intimate relationships that lack respect and mutual industry.” invested any surpluses in the business or in the and that this exposure was having an impact on pleasure. community. their understanding of adult sexual relationships However, about half way through the project the including issues of consent and coercion. Carol’s aim for theCHAT is to work with a well- interim evaluation identified that DMEx was It was agreed that the way evidence was collected informed and committed group of people to failing to meet its target for assisting social for social enterprises should be changed to She set up theCHAT in 2012 as a not-for-profit deliver high-quality training to professionals enterprises. The main reasons appeared to be: reflect this. Instead of asking for a copy of the community organisation with the aim of delivering working with young people so that they can deliver constitution or articles of association, social up-to-date, effective sex and relationship this sensitive content confidently. • Lack of clarity and shared understanding of enterprises were asked for a letter describing education sessions to young people and the the definition of social enterprise, including both their social benefit and the other people adults who support them. “So now I’ve got to think about being an employer. for the monitoring and reporting for the social involved in the project. There’s another skill set I need to get. I do feel enterprise subset Carol met with Jade Richardson at the Digital proud of myself and I’m really chuffed that I’m • A perhaps rigid definition of social enterprise Media Centre in Heeley when theCHAT needed doing it. It’s great to be putting my energy into for organisations and groups of people, support to develop a website and improve its something I believe in.” that appeared to preclude self-employed branding. sole traders (who formed the bulk of http://thechat.org.uk/ the businesses created and assisted, “I learnt how to use the graphics software a bit reflecting the current economic reality and which was pretty good. I also feel confident with opportunities). editing the website. It means I don’t need Jade that much now. But power to her! It was a completely sustainable process.”

18 A Guide to Legal Forms for Social Enterprises, BIS (Department for Business Innovations and Skills) November 2011 19 Social Enterprise: Market Trends (Based upon the 2012 Small Business Survey) May 2013 15 16 3. Outcomes 3. Outcomes

3.4 To what extent has DMEx benefited Having DMCs based in existing community community-run library and housing association. “Definitely more women – I’d say 70:30.” communities and groups as well as individuals? organisations in Heeley and Parson Cross had There was a strong push at CIQA to influence This includes both communities of place and the potential to increase the scope and activities economic policy so that the value of DMCs and One of the partners speculated that the reason for of interest, and the impact on disadvantaged there, and bring new services to people living in economic investment in community infrastructure more women using the service could be because groups such as female and BME entrepreneurs. those specific neighbourhoods. is recognised and sustained in the future. they had heard about it from people attending their existing IT project, who werealready mainly Many individual people benefitted from DMEx in That said, there was recognition from some Impact on female and BME entrepreneurs women. However, none of the partners targeted terms of setting up and developing their own partners that DMEx was not primarily in itself a promotion to women. businesses. DMEx has also benefited community development project: Many of the partners reported that a high number communities and groups in Sheffield in a range of the people they worked with were female. Sheffield Live has a wide range of programmes of ways, from access to a new television station “It is less about communities and more about on both radio and TV made by people from black specifically set up for communities, through to people from the community, but not necessarily “They’re all women, apart from (one).Don’t know and minority ethnic communities, and in different the positive ripple effect that skilled-up doing something with a community focus.” why, you can’t predict it, just random.” community languages (See 4.1 Community individuals and entrepreneurs may take back to Engagement). their communities. Although most of their work is with self-employed “Within the group we have a lot of quiet female individuals, the DMCs also worked directly with a students. In the media as a rule of thumb we get The Sheffield College and the two DMCs DMEx also funded the city’s long-established small number of community groups. For example quite confident male students. This has allowed reported that the people they worked with were community radio station and has enabled the DMC at SOAR supported Stannington Library, some of those female students to come and start predominantly White British. In other parts of its communities and groups to get publicity and the S5 Observer community newspaper and the a business and do something that maybe they work, Heeley Development Trust had links with coverage for their issues and interests on the Garden Village Community Association. wouldn’t normally have done…I’ve been quite BME communities including with a well Sheffield Live website. surprised but very pleased with the way they’ve established Asian women’s group, and through its There were examples of the ripple effect that engaged with it.” provision of ESOL classes across Sheffield. “We’ve given people a platform which you won’t happened when one person benefiting from get in the mainstream…The most popular thing digital media and business advice took their new on our (Sheffield Live) website is Reclaim the skills back to their community. Night, which is women talking about being able to walk the streets without any fear of violence.” “Her confidence is growing. She provides cake decorating classes with a community centre…a Another popular item on the Sheffield Live lot of the women there have very low confidence, website reflecting community interests was very vulnerable, very lonely, nearly all of them coverage of a campaign run mainly by women single parents. So it’s had a knock on effect and children in Heeley to keep their lollypop because the work I’ve done with her, she’s then lady. gone and done that and that’s the type of people who are struggling.” Sheffield Live TV broadcasts in three different community languages: Arabic, Urdu and Punjabi; At The Sheffield College, many of the students and Sheffield Live Radio in at least another receiving DMEx business support came from six including Tigrinya (Eritrean) and Wolof families in communities where they were the first (Senegalese) person to go on to higher education.

Unlike the entrepreneurs who come to Sheffield “…to think that they would be on the second year Live TV to set up production companies, most of of their degree…and started a business in media the people broadcasting in these different production is unthinkable. So, in terms of that, the languages are doing so for community - not paid benefits have been fantastic.” work - reasons. It is worth noting that Sheffield Live Radio therefore benefited from a substantial CIQA was responsible for developing and number of volunteering hours. extending the network of DMCs. It mapped out existing and potential DMCs in Sheffield, and undertook some preliminary work with a

17 18 Case Study 6: Benefiting communities Case Study 7: Benefiting communities3. Outcomes and groups and group

But funding for the DMC finished with the end of IMAN stands for Institute of Media, Art and Naats the Sheffield Community Network project in 2013. (Naats are Muslim religious poems, similar to Learn for Life still has the physical space and Christian psalms). It serves the 30,000 Muslims resources for the DMC, but currently there is no and wider communities of Sheffield and money to employ designated DMC staff.Like most Rotherham in over 10 community languages, voluntary and community sector organisations, including English, Urdu, Panjabi, Pothwari, Arabic, securing the money to run activities is time- Bengali, Malaysian, Somali, Pashto and Turkish. consuming and difficult. DMEx partner Community Media Solutions As part of the DMEx project, Learn for Life has supported IMAN to secure 24/7 radio for 5 years, received support from CIQA. One of the CIQA and also helped it to access funding. workers came to visit and discuss funding opportunities, although Hayley was already well- IMAN Media provides free media training for Learn for Life Enterprise informed about possible sources. IMAN Media budding radio presenters funded by Humber Learning Consortium, thereby expanding the pool Learn for Life is a busy community education “You see a grant opportunity, you apply for it IMAN Media were helped by DMEx to launch a of local broadcasting talent. centre in Sharrow, one of Sheffield’s most and cross your fingers.” new community radio channel serving the Muslim culturally and ethnically diverse neighbourhoods. community. http://imanonline.org/ About 300 people a week – mainly refugees and Learn for Life staff have been to information and asylum seekers – come to learn English and other networking meetings run by CIQA. Meetings are skills at the shop-front building. based around themes such as promotion and funding, and give people the chance to visit and Learn for Life works with people who may have learn about other DMCs in the city. escaped from wars and other traumatic situations. As well as language classes, they “I think everybody cares which is great because can take part in cultural activities including a you’ve got the human support. And there’s a value newly formed football team. in CIQA being there to coordinate things. It’s about keeping us all connected, keeping it bubbling.” Learn for Life set up its Digital Media Centre in 2012 as part of the Sheffield Community Network “It would be great if we had a consortium project. The idea was to support local people with approach. It’s very hard to get national funding online and computer resources to become self- for a local organisation like Learn for Life on its employed and set up their own businesses. own. But if we could say to funders, look we’ve got these digital media centres in different parts Director Hayley Nelson says that the DMC had of the city, all looking after different pockets and a positive impact on the look of the groups of vulnerable people, it would be a very neighbourhood, including improved signage for good offer for the whole of the city.” local shops, which in turn drew in people to spend more money. http://learnforlifeenterprise.co.uk/

1319 1420 3. Outcomes 3. Outcomes

3.5 What lessons can be learnt about effective who’ve ended up producing stuff and getting it “I know I can always contact Vanessa if I have Sheffield Live and The Sheffield College was a methods of support that enable communities on there, and they’ve been getting really good any queries or need support updating my definite attraction for people wanting to produce and individuals to better participate in the feedback and it’s done their confidence a lot of website.” Joanne Jenkins broadcast material. Businesses requiring digital economy? good,” Sheffield Live TV. website and graphics development had access to “We’ve (had) a lot of one on one discussion specialist software and training at the DMCs. DMEx partners reported that they offered a range “A lot of people have come to me after doing support which has been good. Support to start of different methods of support: from teaching (group learning) and all of them said ‘it’s just not the business and make sure we’re doing it in the “It’s a great encouragement for them… because the technical and business skills necessary for me,’ because they’re having to take in so much right way,” Josh Hague, Neon Tech they see that to get my hands on that equipment for working in the digital economy, through to information that they don’t think is relevant. It I’ve got to join this scheme.” The Sheffield softer and less measurable necessary skills might be relevant to them along the line far away, “(There was) technical help on hand during the College and aptitudes. There was an understanding that but at the very start actually those programmes… day if we needed it which was a big help.” Chris building people’s confidence was often the crucial don’t fit with people’s actual needs. Because Arnold, Cool Beans “We’ve been able to offer the complete package… first step to getting started. everyone I work with is completely different and they can borrow the equipment, they can edit and they all have completely different needs,” Heeley • Location and setting have free access to all that.”Sheffield Live TV This was backed up by project’s beneficiaries DMC who were interviewed. DMEx offered support both in the city centre and “People are just really grateful for the support “A lot of people are quite low in confidence and out in a couple of Sheffield neighbourhoods. because it’s a lot of things they can’t do; • Free support you can identify that quite quickly and I can The advantage of this was that people had a programmes they don’t have access to, and always see that growing from week to week.” choice of where to go for support, and those living (things) that they don’t know how to do.” Heeley The fact DMEx did not charge for support meant SOAR DMC in or near Heeley and Parson Cross had access DMC that people on low incomes or benefits were able to facilities close by. A familiar environment could to access training and services that otherwise Interviewees were positive about this approach potentially be a more comfortable and appealing “I actually learnt to use the software a bit which may not have been available to them. to supporting them. setting. On a practical level it meant that people was pretty good. Also I feel confident with editing on low incomes or benefits might not have to pay the website, It means that I don’t need Jade that “A lot of people say they can’t believe it’s free….I “It has built my confidence loads. I used to be a for transport costs. That said, one of the partners much now, but power to her, it was a completely know that in their situation financially and wreck when I was at school, but I’m not like that thought that clients would not have been put off sustainable process.” Carol Perry, theCHAT personally they wouldn’t be able to pay.”SOAR now. I can’t be, I’m too busy,” Josh Hague, Neon by travelling. DMC Tech “The big help was usage of their computers. “You can bring the service to an environment Learnt how to edit, put shows together, the “I would have tried to find another source of “It has definitely built my confidence. I used where they’re already comfortable.” Heeley standard that the shows needed to be at…good support to help me build it. If I could have found to be shy about working in a team, I wouldn’t DMC quality computers, Adobe Premiere and Audition something for free I would have done it and if not, communicate with new people. But now I’m editing programme.” Chris Arnold, Cool Beans I would have paid potentially but I’m a bit limited bringing new people in, training them up and I “I live a two minute walk away and I’ve used it to on my financial resources for that.” Carol Perry, communicate well,” Ashley Foulstone, Neon hot desk when I’ve had IT issues at home. It’s “Also very importantly, the equipment.” Joshua theCHAT Tech been really good to be able to work in an office Haig, Neon Tech. amongst supportive people.” Carol Perry, • One-to-one mentoring support “Most importantly I think the very fact that they theCHAT • Commitment of staff said you’ve got a slot…motivated us all to actually DMEx was designed to give flexible and go out and make something.” Chris Arnold, Cool “We could come in day or night, we had key fobs. DMEx staff appeared to be strongly committed individualised support via specialist mentors. It Beans So we could use it 24/7 which was a big help.” to the ethos and aims of DMEx. Some reported was a client-led approach based on individual Chris Arnold, Cool Beans often working over their paid hours. This was needs and intending to offer a more intensive and One-to-one mentoring also meant that people likely to have contributed to a positive culture of personal method of support than, say, a group could learn the skills they needed at the time • Access to specialist equipment, facilities and support for clients, where – as already mentioned training course. Continuity and trust appeared to when they needed them. training – trust and continuity was in some cases as be key elements of this kind of support, especially important as technical skills. from the DMCs. “I love the one-to-ones. It’s a big selling point The cost of specialist broadcast equipment, and it’s what people need. They need one person cameras and software is often beyond the budget “It’s hard work but it’s something that we want to “Having actual mentor support gets people to to come back to every week to talk to and say I’ve of people starting or running their own business. do.” Sheffield Live TV really think about what is a realist idea…The done this, and this is how I’ve progressed.” SOAR So access to, and training in these, at magic of it is that we’ve had so many people DMC 21 22 3. Outcomes 4. Outputs

“I love partnership working, I’m very passionate “They’ve been really well organised…Vanessa 4.1 Progress against targets about doing that.” SOAR DMC has been very patient with me.” James Woollen

“I think everybody cares which is great because “Jade was really receptive about my ideas, but you’ve got the human support. And there’s a value confident enough to bring in her ideas. It was Target Claimed % of in CIQA being there to coordinate things. It’s about very much a two way dynamic that we both outputs target keeping us all connected, keeping it bubbling.” thought we had something good to contribute. Hayley Nelson, Learn for Life We were keen to hear each other’s ideas so it JOBS CREATED 36 27.07 78% was really collaborative.” Carol Perry, theCHAT. JOBS SAFE 16 19.8 125% GUARDED

BUSINESSES 16 26 162% (2 trading for (if all trading for CREATED* 1 year) 1 year) BUSINESSES 32 55 172% ASSISTED

SOCIAL 20 14 70% ENTERPRISES

Table 1: End of project outputs, July 2015

Note on figures

*According to the ERDF definition, the business created figures can only be confirmed after a year’s trading These are the figures submitted for ERDF funding. At the time of writing, they are still to be confirmed.

DMEx has performed extremely well in relation • They created a significant knock-on effect for to three of the formal targets (businesses employing workers, so that some partners assisted, businesses created and jobs were only in a position to recruit their full staff safeguarded). team for the final six months of the project. In the case of The Sheffield College, summer Although it has fallen short of the targets for jobs holidays also added to this time lag, with it created (78%) and social enterprises assisted only being able to start using new equipment (70%), outputs are close to being in scale with in September 2014. the project’s 80% spend of total potential funding. • The delays in funding also meant that 4.2 Challenges initially at least, some of the activities were undertaken “at risk”. This could potentially • As reported in 2.2, the original 20 month cause cash-flow and other financial problems delivery timescale was concertinaed into for small voluntary and community sector just one year following delays in contractual organisations. arrangements and funding. These delays are likely to have had an impact on the targets.

23 24 4. Outputs 5. Lessons learnt and conclusions

• When asked what could improve the project, • The ethos of DMEx partners contributed to the Lessons learnt a high proportion of the DMEx staff who were success of the project, with a sense of shared interviewed said that they had needed more commitment to the aims of the project. Although the partnership of 10 organisations was Future projects might also consider including a time and capacity. This is likely also to have a central feature of the project, the network dedicated communications worker to undertake been as a result of delayed funding. • The quality of support offered is likely to have and exchange element, especially the way this work, also enabling referrals and skill- been a key factor in the project’s success. clients were referred between partners for both sharing and making more potential use of the • A likely reason why the target for assisting Free, timely, one-to-one mentoring and advice specialist facilities and expertise, could have DMEx website and social media. social enterprises fell short was the initial were effective in engaging clients in terms been strengthened. An effective, systematic challenge of fitting self-employed sole traders of understanding need, providing bespoke method for referring clients may have improved If successful, plans for an additional transmitter within a definition of social enterprise, as support and building rapport. their experience, and could be considered for for Sheffield Live TV in the north of Sheffield reported in 3.3. future similar work. could improve the reach into homes in the city. • The one-to-one mentoring that built rapport This in itself could promote and raise interest in • The internal interim evaluation report found also contributed to clients gaining a range It could have been useful to map the skills and community and digital media. potential anxiety to reach output targets could of soft skills such as communication and expertise across the project, perhaps using the have prevented partners from passing clients interpersonal skills. There was also a feeling DMEx website and regular steering groups to Conclusions on to other partners with relevant expertise from both DMEx staff and clients that people share this information, highlight potential internal or facilities for fear that this would have a increased in confidence as part of their training needs, and again enable better referrals. The findings in this evaluation clearly show the negative impact on their own output count. experience. value of the methods of support employed by In fact, the project did allow for different Good communication is crucial in partnership the project. Specialist one-to-one mentoring partners to work with the same clients, • DMEx was unique in combining both specialist work, and DMEx ran efficient monthly steering and support that was free, timely and client-led and then to both claim this as an output. digital and generic business support. Not meetings. There was perhaps potential to use proved effective and appealing, and therefore are This information was communicated to all all clients needed both types of support, and these meetings more creatively, for instance, likely to have been key factors in DMEx’s success. partners. there may have been times when referrals including training or skills sharing sessions did not work as well as they should have, but on topics that partners feel they need. This kind of support contributed to new • Many of the DMEx staff interviewed stated nonetheless, it was a logical and appealing businesses and jobs being created in the digital that collecting evidence for outputs created a offer. Operating for social benefit was at the heart of media industries for people in Sheffield. It heavy admin burden. That said, they agreed DMEx. However, initially in the project there was also resulted in people who were starting up that the project’s internal reporting systems • Access to specialist equipment was a success a lack of clarity concerning definitions of social or running their own small local enterprises were clear and straightforward, and that on factor in attracting clients to the project. enterprises. Any developments in the future learning how to use digital technology and the the whole beneficiaries did not seem resistant Partner organisations also benefited from could perhaps strengthen this work, maybe by internet to boost their businesses. to filling in the paperwork. However, the the investment in their infrastructure and including specialist advice and information about amount of time it took to chase this up when facilities. legal structures and models from dedicated local At the same time, there is evidence that a range people were already working hard with limited organisations such as the Sheffield Cooperative of softer skills and confidence were gained. hours could be a problem. • DMEx offered support both in the city centre Development Group and Voluntary These may have been critical for some people and in a number of Sheffield neighbourhoods. Action Sheffield. as the first step in learning to use new digital 4.3 Success factors This gave people the choice of where to go for technologies. There is even perhaps some support, potentially in a familiar environment. DMEx was aimed at deprived communities and indication that this new confidence may have had • The DMEx partnership of 10 different disadvantaged groups, with the two DMCs based a positive impact in wider local communities. organisations brought together a range of in Sheffield wards that have significant levels of complementary skills and experience in deprivation. The project bid also included young By investing in equipment ranging from order to deliver different elements of the people at risk of exclusion and the brief for this broadcast transmission facilities through to PCs project. Perhaps because the partners had evaluation specifically mentioned groups such as and specialist software, the project may also have worked together as part of the previous SCN, female and BME entrepreneurs. More strategic contributed to the physical sustainability of some relationships were already established which promotion and outreach aimed at specific groups of the not-for-profit partner organisations, as well enabled the network element of the project to could have helped to increase awareness, linking as to Sheffield’s wider media infrastructure. hit the ground running (although see 2.1 for with other potential DMCs, and getting more exceptions). targeted clients to come forward for support. Again, this could be considered for future developments.

25 26 5. Lessons learnt and conclusions

DMEx performed extremely well in relation to three of its formal targets, and reasonably well in the other two. Given the truncated timescale of the project, these achievements are particularly significant.

To conclude: The idea of linking deprived communities in Sheffield with the potential economic benefits of the creative and digital industry gave a sound rationale to the DMEx project. The findings of this evaluation would endorse the development of a future project building on the achievements of DMEx.

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