Creative Spaces

Introduction

• Local communities are improving their own environment
• Work experience and NVQs will help people into jobs
• Neighbourhoods are being transformed

Summary

Thanks to Business Link Yorkshire, who are funded and managed by Yorkshire Forward, a social entrepreneur has got local people working together to improve the landscape in run-down parts of Bradford.

Bradford entrepreneur Robin Dark has set up an innovative social enterprise, a community interest company called Creative Spaces, to get local people involved in landscaping their neighbourhoods.

Creative Spaces encourages people to engage with improving the environment they live in. Areas such as Manningham, Bierley and Ravenscliffe have been transformed, and local people working with the company have been able to gain NVQs and vital work experience. People who had no formal academic qualifications now have skills which will make it easier for them to find employment.
 
Robin Dark has received mentoring and one-to-one support from social enterprise advisors at Business Link Yorkshire, helping him at every stage of the development of Creative Spaces.

Robin has ambitious plans for expansion and is taking on new projects in Leeds, Wakefield and even Grimsby. He plans to work with housing trusts to devise garden plans that will allow new tenants to have a say in the way the outsides of their homes look.

What is Yorkshire Forward’s connection with this initiative?
Business Link Yorkshire is funded by Yorkshire Forward.

Find out more at www.creativespacescic.com.

Read more of our success stories