WY-FI Annual Learning Event 2017

From Short Changed to System Change

The WY-FI Project supports people with multiple needs across West Yorkshire. We gather evidence about what works and what doesn't work in order to influence system change. At this year's annual event, we will share our learning from year 3 of the WY-FI Project in relation to:

• effective beneficiary engagement
• the impact of integrated multi-agency work, and
• the benefits of co-production

What will we cover?

• What works about the WY-FI approach

• Evidence from the WY-FI Project

• Independent evaluation of the WY-FI Project

• Hear about our specialist work with women, prison leavers and people from BME communities who experience multiple needs

• The results of our street research

• What is the WY-FI Network?

• Peer mentoring with the WY-FI Project

• Local system change action plans and the WY-FI System Change Action Network

• The benefits of co-production

Speakers

Dr Richard Crisp, Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research (CRESR) at Sheffield Hallam University (SHU)

Richard will give an overview of the findings from CRESR’s evaluation of the project including - an update on Multi-Agency Review Boards, the work of navigators, the beneficiary experience and the impact of peer mentors.

Cllr Alison Lowe, Labour Councillor in Armley

Alison will talk about the WY-FI System Change Action Network and local system change

Workshops

Prison Leavers and Desistance facilitated by Sarah Joseph, Sociology Student at the University of Leeds
Sarah Joseph (University of Leeds) has been working with WY-FI through the Leeds Urban Impact Programme. She has undertaken research and analysis into the experiences of prison leavers with multiple needs on their transition from HMP Leeds to the community.

Making the Financial Case for Navigators facilitated by Ian Wilson, Senior Research Fellow at CRESR, Sheffield Hallam University
Ian Wilson has been leading the impact aspect of the external evaluation of WY-FI and will talk about the method of calculating savings to the public purse and the findings in the case of WY-FI so far.

Who should attend?

• West Yorkshire commissioners of services for people experiencing homelessness, addiction, re-offending and/or mental ill health

• West Yorkshire service providers for people experiencing homelessness, addiction, re-offending and/or mental ill health

• West Yorkshire MPs with an interest in homelessness, addiction, re-offending and/or mental ill health

Price

The conference is free to attend.

Venue

The conference will take place in The Hemming Suite at St George's Conference Centre, 60 Great George Street, Leeds LS1 3DL.

The St George's Centre is a fully accessible venue based 12 minutes walk from Leeds railway station. There is a walking map here.

More information

If you have any questions or queries about the conference, please contact Cat Thomas by email cat.thomas@disc-vol.org.uk or telephone Cat on 0113 887 0053.