Creating a framework for the future
Arrow strengthens Northern Heartlands’ path to growth
Arrow strengthens Northern Heartlands’ path to growth
Arrow helped us to feel confident, providing wider evidence to show that our ideas were worth exploring and there is need for our work across sectors. It was a really positive experience that gave us a lot to work with and is helping us to move forward.Katy Milne
Creative Director, Northern Heartlands
An email from Newcastle University about the Arrow project arrived at just the right time for Northern Heartlands as they were preparing for a transition in the leadership and embarking on the development of a new business plan for the organisation that also considered the financial implications of expanding into new markets.
The support from Arrow offered an opportunity to explore the organisation’s strategy and future direction more comprehensively, exploring new opportunities for commissions, collaborations and income diversification, backed up by research and evidence.
Northern Heartlands worked with Doctor Nicholas Cooke, Senior Innovation Associate at Arrow, and Professor Simin Davoudi, Professor of Town Planning at Newcastle University, who took a deep dive into the organisation’s service offer and how it could work in different contexts. Using place-based examples of similar services from around the country, as well as drawing on evidence of impact from Northern Heartlands’ own work, and synthesising valuable learning from a wide range of research reports, the Arrow study helped to create a framework for the future.
The study delivered a comprehensive and user-friendly report, with practical recommendations for developing new services, markets and partnerships. It has created a valuable tool and point of reference for Northern Heartlands as they continue to develop their business plan and identify where the organisation can add value to communities across County Durham.
The work with Arrow has given Northern Heartlands a real boost, increasing their confidence to network and build relationships with new partners beyond the arts sector. It has also guided their refreshed communications, with a new website, strapline and clear way of articulating their offer.
Northern Heartlands is now building on the firm foundations of its past work to look ahead to the future, identifying new and different ways to build relationships, engage communities, and create positive change in rural, isolated and post-industrial areas where people’s voices are not always heard.
This was typical of the best projects we work on at Arrow. Northern Heartlands were very engaged, focused on the practical outcomes of the project, and had clear goals in mind. This meant that Prof. Davoudi and I were able to work together with them to meet those needs and deliver a project that was not only satisfying to work on, but delivered real and measurable benefits for Northern Heartlands.Dr. Nicholas Cooke
Senior Innovation Associate, Arrow
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