BBO Impact Event, 17th June 2022

On June 17^th 2022, the People’s First Alliance: Groundwork Greater Nottingham, Framework Housing Association, and the St Ann’s Advice Group, hosted a Building Better Opportunities (BBO) Impact event. The event highlighted our unique approach to working with those furthest away from the labour market including those with physical and mental health issues, those affected by substance misuse, homelessness, domestic violence and those who need assistance to become financially resilient.  During the session we shared our collective successes and impact from a project and participant perspective.  We also addressed the gap in provision that will be left when our projects come to an end in March 2023.

It is evident that the continuation of such services is paramount before the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) goes live in 2024.

“Loss of services or gap in services would be devastating for participants furthest away from the labour market. BBO has offered a personalised, holistic individual pathway that has both sustained and changed lives.”

The event covered:

• BBO National Impact, Sue Ormiston, The National Lottery Community Fund (EU Programme Manager)
• Highlighting the uniqueness of our programmes – Towards Work, Opportunity & Change and Money Sorted in D2N2
• Supporting vulnerable people through social and economic crisis
• Share life changing case studies from participants
• Delivering person-centred support throughout the pandemic
• Connecting cross cutting strategy: Stakeholder Managers
• Key learning, evaluation and Social Return on Investment
• Impact of losing BBO
• UKSPF opportunities to maximise support for vulnerable people through the voluntary and community priority

What some of our attendees said:

“Just to see how life changing the different BBO projects have been to so many people is truly inspiring, but it is paramount that this continues in some capacity.”

“The right support can change people’s lives. What will replace this provision when BBO ends?”

For more information on the BBO strands, you can contact:

Towards Work
Groundwork Greater Nottingham penny.halewood@groundworknottingham.org.uk

Opportunity and Change
Framework Housing Association Richard.oskwarek@frameworkha.org

Money Sorted in D2N2
St Ann’s Advice Group Debbie.webster@stannsadvice.org.uk