Yorkshire Good Practice Goes Out to the World

A new Yorkshire and Humber project is being launched today (24 January 2007) to shine a spotlight on good practice in the region. The ‘What Works Database’ will promote a huge range of projects, evaluation and research reports and communicate their findings to others looking to implement cost effective solutions.

The project is the most comprehensive of its kind ever to be launched by an English Region. It brings together over 250 information nuggets spanning projects that promote enterprise and the economy, to innovative work on communities, environment, transport and sport. The focus on lessons learned from that experience will mean users can emulate what works best and avoid pitfalls. It will help to share understanding, prevent duplication and inform policy making and practice.

Examples include how improving sports facilities in Harrogate doubled the membership at a local Hockey Club, the choice-based lettings scheme in Leeds that gives social housing tenants a greater say over where they live, and even the story of the ‘Crazy Catapults’ challenge during last year’s Enterprise Week that improved creativity and teamwork in 230 of the region’s schools.

Ben Smith, Communications Manager at Yorkshire Futures, who has spearheaded work on the Database said “It is designed to be a powerful and user-friendly tool that allows users to look up solutions and learning points from projects in Yorkshire and Humber and beyond.”

The What Works Database is an online resource accessed from the Yorkshire Futures website (www.yorkshirefutures.com). Its search options mean users can look up material by using a keyword, or by specifying a location, theme, organisation or type of information they are interested in. It is possible to search across one or more criteria, then probe the identified records to look up succinct case studies, whole research reports or useful links. For instance, a user could search for case studies on putting Diversity into Action in West Yorkshire.

The launch is only the first stage of the project’s development. Yorkshire Futures, who have developed the Database, are determined to build it up to have over 1,000 records in the future. As the range of material it could cover is colossal, the project will target a rolling selection of priority themes to build up a critical mass of material on key topics. These include Enterprise and the social and economic benefits of participation in Sport. Summary reports will be prepared that interpret the evidence and case studies on these topics and offer overall conclusions.

Talking about the Database, Simon Foy, Chief Economist at Yorkshire Forward, said “This is a positive step in helping Yorkshire Forward share experience that helps the region to deliver jobs, skills and business competitiveness even more effectively”.

Sue Jeffrey, Executive Director at the Yorkshire and Humber Assembly added “This is a resource Yorkshire and Humber can rightly be proud of. People talk about good practice and linking evidence to action. This is an opportunity to apply it for real”.

Note to Editors:
1. Yorkshire Futures was established in 2001 as a ‘Regional Intelligence Network’. Its purpose is to make Yorkshire and Humber a better place by bringing issues to the fore that need resolving; communicating solutions; and monitoring progress.
2. The What Works Database is available on the homepage of the Yorkshire Futures website (www.yorkshirefutures.com).
3. For more information, please contact Les Newby, Director, Yorkshire Futures on 0113 394 9676; fax 0113 394 9796; email les.newby@yorkshirefutures.com