About ushttp://www.newera.coop/aboutusAimshttp://www.newera.coop/aboutus#a1homes with lights on, the globe circled in stick men holing hands, the globe held betweed three pleople, a crowd or children and a group of busy studentsOur aim is to provide a service which supports the growth of skills and networks so that people are able to initiate and participate in their own and their community's development. This is achieved by working at a neighbourhood level within a vision of equal opportunity and sustainability.

These aims are illustrated in the following extracts from the memorandum of association of the company:-

(a) To improve the lives of local people, primarily within communities which are economically and socially disadvantaged, through economic development, regeneration, community capacity building and personal development activities.

(b) To create employment opportunities and develop the workforce, encourage industrial and commercial activity, support co-operative and social enterprise; to provide advice, information and support services, education and training, consultancy and professional services; to carry out research; and to pursue any other activity in support of these objects.

(c) To promote mutual self-help within communities through local initiatives which empower people to meet their own personal and collective needs and participate more fully in their community; in the process, to develop the skills, self-confidence and employability of individuals, and the capacity of voluntary and community organisations.

New Era fulfils its aims by developing and running varied community development, training and employment projects, and more significantly, enables local residents successfully to develop and manage their own. These projects are generally funded through a mix of public sector funding and grant funding regimes.

]]>Historyhttp://www.newera.coop/aboutus#a2New Era was established in 1987 and although the company has undertaken work throughout Lancashire it works mainly in East Lancashire.

]]>Commitment to qualityhttp://www.newera.coop/aboutus#a3New Era is committed to high standards of work throughout the organisation. This commitment is expressed in every aspect of New Era's work, in practice and in writing, both internally through its practices and externally through its project work. The commitment is integral to New Era's purposes, and is subject to self-evaluation in several ways. The exacting standards required by funding bodies in relation to outputs and financial reporting are also met.

New Era has been recognised as continuing to meet the requirements of the national standard for effective Investment in People and has been awarded the Matrix quality standard for information, advice and guidance services.

New Era actively responds to all the above evaluation, regularly reviewing its activities, policies and procedures. Recommendations for improvements are made, and the consequent changes are monitored, appraised and reviewed, to ensure they achieve the planned result.

]]>Structurehttp://www.newera.coop/aboutus#a4New Era's own management structure is founded on the principles of co-operative working and community accountability. All staff are involved in the management through a staff committee and representation on the Steering Group.

New Era is a membership organisation open to all who share its aims and from which is elected a Board of Directors. The Board delegates management to a "Steering Group".

The Steering Group is responsible for obtaining contracts for projects which further the company's aims. It appoints a project team of a key worker and project workers to carry out the work of the project. Administrative support is provided to each project from a team of administrative workers with an administration key worker. Financial and accounting support is provided to each project from a team of accounts worker with a finance key worker. The Steering Group receives reports from and monitors progress of projects.

The appointed project key workers are responsible for the delivery of contracts. Key workers allocate staff to the tasks according to the needs of the clients and the abilities, skills and experience of the staff member. Project workers may work on one or more projects according to their skills and experiences.

The Operations Group is an advisory and co-ordinating meeting of project and admin key workers providing co-ordination of project activity within the company as a whole and support for key workers.

]]>Staffhttp://www.newera.coop/aboutus#a5 

Sarah Bailey

Sarah Bailey is part - time Finance Worker for the Company, working in the Finance Team with Karen. Sarah is also involved in NESOS work for Co-ops North West and Burnley Community Farm.

Fiona Duncan

Fiona Duncan is part time Project Worker on the New Beginnings Project and is Part time Jobsearch Coach on the New Deal Project (in partnership with Bootstrap).

Jo Haworth

Jo Haworth is full time Administration Worker and supports the Accounts team with wages and invoices. Jo also looks after the IT for New Era.

Emma Horsfall

Emma Horsfall is currently Key Worker on a project working with New Deal Participants, working in partnership with Bootstrap Enterprises.

Andrew Lowe

Andrew Lowe is part time Project Worker on the New Deal Project (in partnership with Bootstrap).

Karen Pashley

Karen Pashley is Key Worker - finance, working on the company accounts, and funding bids, and involved in NESOS work. She works with Ann Marie and other key workers as the "Development Group". Karen is also Counter Signatory for the CRB applications.

Sue Rae

Sue Rae is Key Worker on the Train to Gain Project. Sue shares the Key Working position the BwD Playwork Project with Jackie. She is Centre Co-Ordinator and tutor for New Era Enterprises Training and Assessment Centre (NEETAC) and the CACHE accredited courses of NEETAC. Play Centre Manager.

Jackie Ringer

Jackie Ringer is part time Key Worker for the Childcare Agency and New Beginings project. Jackie shares the Key Worker position on the BwD Playwork project with Sue. She is also Counter Signatory for the CRB applications.

Kath Rowley

Kath Rowley is part time Administration Key Worker. She is responsible for co-ordinating the admin support to the company and projects, for health and safety of the company, and is involved in NESOS work. She is also a back up for the Childcare Agency.

Elaine Sharples

Elaine Sharples is part-time Project Worker on the ESF/Train to Gain Project and is an accredited Assessor and Internal Verifier for Neetac, Playcentre Dep Manager/Co-ordinator.

Andy Toynton

Andy is a Part Time Project Worker on the New Beginnings and part time Jobsearch Coach on the New Deal Project.

Jean Wilkinson

Jean Wilkinson is part time Administraton worker and Volunteer.

Wendy Woodfine

Wendy Woodfine is part time Project Worker on the Train to Gain project and is also an accredited Assessor.

Ann Marie Wrigley

Ann Marie Wrigley works on the No Limits programme supporting the start up and growth of social enterprise. She is a Key Worker and works with Karen and other Key Workers as the "Development Group". She is a key worker and is a counter signatory for the CRB applications.

Vanessa Sutton

Vanessa Sutton is the cleaner and works 1 hour each day, normally after 5.00pm.

Play Centre Pre-School Staff

Catherine Fairfield is Play Leader with Carol Blacklock and Clare Pickering are Assistant Play leaders at the Play Centre Pre-school. There are also a group of volunteers/students placed at the Play Centre Pre-school.

Crèche Staff

New Era employs qualified crèche workers on a casual basis and on "block-bookings" to fill crèches in various venues in East Lancashire.

]]>Board Membershttp://www.newera.coop/aboutus#a6Bill Greenwood

(Chair)

Jackie Ringer

(Secretary)

Full time member of staff.

Cath Howley

(Vice Chair)

Karen Pashley

(Treasurer)

Full time member of staff.

Kath Rowley

(Minutes)

Full time member of staff.

Ann Marie Wrigley

Full time member of staff.

Sue Rae

Full time member of staff.

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