How are we doing?
“...the headline learning so far is really clear! The programme is working to achieve its aims and has already had some valuable impacts on for participants. It is supporting the alternative businesses who take part to do sometimes transformative work that benefits them, their organisations, and their communities across West Yorkshire.'
A year on from our first discussions with partners about their hopes and inspirations for the Business for Good West Yorkshire pilot programme, we reflect on the learning from the set-up and delivery of this important and innovative new scheme for our region.
Our independent evaluator, Nifty Sustainability CIC, has been working with us to explore what the impacts look like, and assess what’s going well and where there have been challenges.
This summary highlights key learning from evaluation activities (March to October 2024) in line with the Business for Good Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning framework. It highlights how the innovative relational approach to supporting alternative businesses in West Yorkshire, delivered by trusted partners with expertise in different types of alternative businesses (social enterprises, co-operatives, community businesses) is working well and already leading to important learning for partners and positive impacts for participants.
‘The session was very informative. I learnt a lot about co-ops and other methods of supporting customers I work with’ 9/10
‘Really informative with interesting contributions from wider attendees’ 10/10
Key Learning Points
The five key learning points are:
- Aligned values of the programme partners are helping to achieve ambitious objectives.
- Early challenges around time and resources impacted set up and delivery.
- Shared learning is key to effective programme design and delivery and overcoming challenges.
- Participation is helping to build confidence, skills knowledge and capacity.
- Creating a ‘space’ for Alternative Business brings benefits for those involved.
‘What did you find most beneficial/helpful in this workshop?’
‘Time to think and listen to others.’
‘Working out the vision and hearing other people’s experiences and plans too.’
‘What were your key learning points from this workshop?’
‘Not to feel as anxious about making decisions and realising everyone is feeling the same about those decisions.’
‘It confirmed I am on the right track and have a strong social purpose.’