The CREATEX Partnership
Two heads are better than one is a philosophy that Exemplas readily subscribes to and, as the success of the Exemplas-led CREATEX partnership demonstrates, the benefits of effective partnership working can be far reaching and long lasting.
Getting the right heads around the table led, not only to the successful discharge of a challenging EQUAL project, but also to further opportunities and new areas of activity for the partnership.
Bringing together Expertise
Initially formed by Exemplas to deliver an ESF Funded EQUAL project, the CREATEX partnership illustrates an innovative and effective model of collaborative working, in which specialisms are brought together in a new and complementary way, ensuring value for money and optimum impact.
Through introducing access partners, experienced in particular client groups, to specialist agencies with sector specific knowledge, Exemplas has facilitated the exchange of knowledge, and initiated effective and dynamic working relationships.
New Audiences and New Learning
Organisations participating in the Exemplas-led partnership were able to take a new message to their existing customers –
“allowed franchising into areas which otherwise would be very hard to reach ie PT clients and their volunteers.” (The Princes’ Trust)
-or to take their existing message to new customers -
“pleased to be able to get the message about franchising as a way of growing their business to an audience that may not have considered it prior to the project” (the bfa).
Added value
Operating under an increasingly recognisable brand, partners benefitted on an individual level and as a partnership, gaining both recognition and wider reach:
“CREATEX… established itself as a ‘brand’ and service provider valued by many individuals, businesses and organisations in the region” (External Evaluation, Research House).
With a varied and effective marketing strategy, developed by Exemplas, community partners such as the ‘Community Action Network’ particularly noted that
“CREATEX+ had served to raise their profile and has increased their credibility within the local community and with other funding bodies…” (External Evaluation, Research House).
And, as the partnership gained momentum, further connections were formed -
“CREATEX+ has been one of the most successful EQUAL projects in the country in terms of successful strategic development and mainstreaming”
– and new opportunities presented.
Strategic Partnerships
Extending beyond the lifespan of the CREATEX project, the partnership continued delivery through a range of funding streams, and under local and regional initiatives.
Developing relationships with key agencies - including Development Agencies, Business Links, Councils and LEGI - has ensured that the impact of the partnership is also felt at a strategic level – and proved, for Exemplas, that the sum of the whole can often be greater than the sum of the parts.