The Hub, Sheffield

CASE STUDY: The Hub, Sheffield

The situation
The Hub is an inter-church organisation committed to supporting Christian youth work, mission and ministry in the Sheffield area. It focuses on supporting local churches in their work amongst and alongside young people, and in the sharing of the Christian good news. It is a gathering of Christian youth workers committed to mission and ministry amongst young people. Beneficiaries of the Hub’s work are also increasingly coming from a wider area and they are developing plans to sustain and extend their services. 
 
Issues raised by The Hub at the start of TfR support

• Membership: The Hub wanted to build up the number of Churches in its membership to achieve its vision and be regarded as a credible option by denominations or potential funders wanting to make an impact on the quality of Christian Youth Work in the City. It had been proving difficult to convert participation in successful events into new membership despite incentives such as reduced charges.
• Developing the organisation: It was felt that it was time for the Hub to have a worker to provide extra capacity to focus on its development. There had been some discussion about this at the Steering Group and some voices were uncertain that this was the best way forward.
• Resources: The Hub wanted to secure support and financial contributions from each of the main denominations– Anglican, Baptist, Methodist, Roman Catholic and URC. This would enable them to deliver services and employ a Development Worker.
• Funding Raising Skills: Funding for The Hub and Funding Skills for youth workers were needed.
• Developing Partnerships: The Hub was linking up with other organisations such as Youth Association South Yorkshire and Cliff College and needed support through this.

How TfR helped
TfR has provided a package of support to help The Hub move forward in response to these issues. The TfR adviser helped the Hub to think about the possible need to restructure membership to express clear and distinctive relationships with churches, individual youth workers and service users. They also met with several of the leadership team, provided mentoring for one of the leadership team, signposted the group for specialist funding support and facilitated dialogue with some denominational partners. TfR continues to work with the Hub into 2010: the next steps will include facilitation and development support for the Directors to implement change, continue consultation and secure funding for a worker.

What was particularly valued about the support received?
Following an initial surgery to diagnose the issues faced by the organisation TfR support was found to be “very useful and encouraging – positive advice about how we can develop and shape The Hub with reference both to faith and community sector. Much more insight into possibilities and opportunities”. Surgery attendee.

• Mentoring: A series of sessions with the TfR Adviser have enabled the leaders to develop an OUTCOMES framework that has helped in clarifying the difference that The Hub wants to make for its beneficiaries. This will form the basis for consultation and dialogue with service users and partners about the future direction of the Hub.
• Signposting: TfR worked with South Yorkshire Funding Advice Bureau (SYFAB) to provide workshops and advice surgeries for Christian Youth Workers at The Hub conference in October 2009.
• Facilitation: TfR are supporting dialogue between The Hub and Sheffield Diocese to identify opportunities for working together and aligning The Hub’s services with existing provision. TfR has also offered facilitation for the Steering Group to clarify and develop their organisational strategy.
• Funding: TfR is working with The Hub’s Directors to develop funding strategies and to explore links with the VCS Children & Young People’s consortium.

What have been the results?
“As Chair of The Hub I have found the advice and support of TfR to be most helpful and timely.  The group had gone through some organisational changes and I have greatly appreciated the input from TfR on the possibilities and potential of different structures. The outcomes framework that the adviser drew up with us has helped to focus our thinking and has enabled us to see what our role is and how it fits into the overall delivery of Christian Youth services across the city and beyond.”
Rachel McCallum, Chair.

To find out more, contact TfR
Or Rachel McCallam, Chair:  racheldmde@sheffieldmethodist.org
Supported by TfR since January 2009