Pulse Regeneration - Case Studies, Research & Evaluation

Bristol's Corporate Policy

Pulse Regeneration brought with them a broad range of commitment,a fresh perspective and an ever present commitment to delivering theservice that we, as clients, needed. They have won two contracts withus on price and quality of proposal grounds against strong nationalcompetition, and have worked closely with us from inception stagesonwards to ensure together we realised projects that met ourstringent requirements and remain credible for a wide range ofstakeholders within professional, community, and policy environments.

Ted Fowler, Economic Regeneration Officer
Bristol City Council

West Middlesborough
Neighbourhood Trust

The evaluation report produced by Pulse Regeneration was clear, well structured and addressed all the areas of the brief provided. The report provided us with clear recommendations that gave us direction on our forward strategy for the service. Following the success of the evaluation, we have commissioned Pulse to deliver Business Planning Support for the project to develop on a sustainable basis and the provision of business planning training for managers.

Jenny Whinham, Monitoring & Review Coordinator
West Middlesborough Neighbourhood Trust

Vision for Leeds (from www.leedsinitiative.org)

Vision for Leeds, 2004-2010

It is really good to work with a consultancy firm that get the job done.
We had real anxieties about finding a company with sufficient understanding of both community needs and mainstream service providers to develop a city strategy for the sustainability of the voluntary, community and faith sector in Leeds. Pulse provided this expertise and we are now taking Pulse's recommendations on extending public sector procurement , developing social enterprise whilst also supporting community groups forward.

Andrea Tara-Chand, Programme Manager
The Leeds Initiative

GIS Community Modelling

We have worked with Pulse for two years now, and during that time have developed a strong working relationship. We have always found Pulse to be responsiveto our needs, personable, able to adapt to changing requirements and find innovative solutions to problems. They have worked and communicated well with our transnational partners, and have shown flexibility in working practices with different cultures involved with this particular project.

Jayne Tucker, PICT Co-ordinator Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council


	RESEARCH AND EVALUATION CASE STUDIES Please click on the links below to view our case studies: · Bristol City Council, Asset Transfer Research · WMNT, Evaluation of Young Person's Development Team · The Leeds Initiative, VCFS Research · PICT, Transnational Evaluation Return to Case Studies Relevant Services Bristol City Council, Asset Transfer Research Background Bristol City Council required information to help Council Officers and Councillors, as well as Bristol’s social economy partners, draw up a set of good practice guidelines to facilitate future asset transfers and similar property disposals. Objectives Pulse Regeneration was appointed to undertake research into asset transfer within the Bristol social economy sector to enable the Council to better achieve its broader social, environmental and economic objectives. Actions Pulse worked closely with the Council over a number of months and with a number of key stakeholders. The research included the following: · Defining and identifying current support for asset transfer in Bristol · Consideration of relevant legislation, policy development, and examples of asset transfer from around the UK · Consideration of Bristol City Council’s own polices and plans · Consideration of experience of undertaking asset transfer from both the Council’s viewpoint and that of social economy partners · Analysis of the demand for assets and corresponding supply · Development of key issues and recommendations including how support may be provided in the future, the need to measure social value, guidelines and further research requirements Key Achievements Better understanding within Bristol City Council of the policy and requirements surrounding asset transfer and how support may be improved in the future. Please e-mail for an Information Sheet about this case study, or to find out how we could assist you. Return to top WMNT, Evaluation of Young Person's Development Team Background West Middlesbrough Neighbourhood Trust is a community led regeneration initiative, funded by the government with a New Deal for Communities (NDC) grant of £52 million, with a focus on three wards, including Ayresome, Middlehaven and part of Gresham. WMNT is a Company Limited by Guarantee and intends to apply for charitable status in the near future. Objectives Pulse was appointed by West Middlesbrough Neighbourhood Trust (WMNT) to evaluate the Young Peoples Development Team and to investigate ways of taking the Project forward post March 2007. Actions · Undertook a review of the financial and operational performance of the Project, including the added value of the activities provided · Undertook quantitative assessment of the Project from the quarterly monitoring forms, the Project Application Form, and the original Funding Agreement · Qualitative review of the project including the quality of the services provided and how young people have been involved in decision-making. This was undertaken through focus groups with young people that had accessed the Project, consultation with residents and stakeholders, and a survey to 500 households in the area. Key Achievements · Development of a forward strategy for the Project post funding · Production of an Evaluation report with recommendations for the future of the Project Please e-mail for an Information Sheet about this case study, or to find out how we could assist you. Return to top The Leeds Initiative, VCFS Research Background The Leeds Initiative is the city’s Local Strategic Partnership (LSP). The Leeds Regeneration Plan sets out the practical steps that partners in the Leeds Initiative will take to narrow the gap between the most disadvantaged people and communities and the rest of the city. The Narrowing the Gap Executive was established in November 2004 and is responsible for making sure the 'narrowing the gap' aim of the Vision for Leeds is integrated into the work of all other strategy groups of the Leeds Initiative. Objectives Pulse were commissioned by the Narrowing the Gap Executive to undertake a review of the Voluntary, Community and Faith sector (VCFS), as part of a wider strategy for the development and sustainability of the sector in Leeds. Actions · The study consisted of three main areas as follows: 1. The development of a framework for contracting services using the 8 Vision for Leeds Themes 2. A review of capacity building support to the sector in Leeds 3. A review of Leeds Initiative partnerships capacity to understand the role of the sector in community involvement and service delivery Key Achievements · Development of a series of recommendations to increase contracting opportunities with the sector, develop capacity building and greater partnership working · Presentation of the findings to the Narrowing the Gap Executive Please e-mail for an Information Sheet about this case study, or to find out how we could assist you. Return to top PICT, Transnational Evaluation Background The rolling three-year Leonardo da Vinci funded PICT Project (Planning Inclusion of Clients through e-Training) aims to facilitate effective public participation in planning through the development of advanced ICT applications. The project is implemented through Local Authorities, universities, and social partners across Belgium, Greece, Hungary and the UK. Objectives Pulse Regeneration was appointed by Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council to undertake the external evaluation of the PICT Project. Key Actions Pulse developed an approach with the support of partners, and included: - Interactive presentations at Transnational Steering Committee Meetings to update partners and disseminate information - Attendance at Local Consultative Committee meetings in the UK to observe the PICT learning process ‘live’ with local community members - Direct consultation with project partners and contributors, and completion of annual evaluation reports - Site visits to provide opportunities to question local residents about the impact the project is having on their communities in the different target countries Achievements Annual evaluation reports and advice in shaping the project’s future development. Please e-mail for an Information Sheet about this case study, or to find out how we could assist you. Return to top Return to Case Studies