Case Studies
Pinnacle Challenges
Staff development programmes that benefit communities
Background
Whilst Pinnacle PSG is seen as leading provider of public service solutions, its ethos is very much to put something back into the communities it serves. It also prides itself as being in the people business and investing in its staff is a key priority. Put these two things together and you get Pinnacle PSG’s Management Challenge.
Pinnacle PSG’s Management Challenge is an innovative leadership development programme aimed at honing our managers’ individual skills in designing, developing and implementing improvement schemes that benefit the communities in the areas where they work.
The challenge is designed to enable Pinnacle PSG’s senior managers develop as leaders whilst at the same time, ensure local residents directly benefit from the community projects that emerge. As well as providing the expertise and staff to do the work, part of the challenge is to raise the necessary funds from external sponsors, so there is no cost to the community.
Although the projects can vary, usually they involve managers working in teams around 15 people. They have five days and a limited budget to consult with local residents and the local council, agree on an improvement scheme and then implement it. They then have a further week to actually complete the project.
Working with the community
Now in its fourth year, we have received overwhelmingly positive feedback from local communities and managers alike for the work our managers have undertaken as part of the challenge. Each project is different, but working with the community to benefit the community is the number one priority. The first projects emerged in 2006 and since then over 12 projects have been successfully completed.
2006 – Radland Road sensory garden
Following extensive consultation with the resident’s association and Newham Council in East London, Pinnacle PSG identified the disused plot of land on Radland Road which was crying out to be converted into a space for the whole community to enjoy. These cries were heard when the garden was officially opened for residents to use on 1 December. Creating this garden was an experience that enabled the project team hone their skills in management, negotiation, fundraising, community engagement, communication and personal responsibility.
2006 – Canning Town landscaped garden
A site in Pollard Close, Canning Town had been neglected for over 30 years and the local residents were keen to see it get a makeover. The Pinnacle PSG team moved in clearing the two acres site of overgrown trees and plants, transforming the area into a beautiful landscape garden suitable for parents and toddlers. The garden was officially opened on 14 December and now young families and older residents have a garden to be proud of. Besides Pinnacle PSG, sponsors for the project included Newham Regeneration, Regenter, the ExCeL Exhibition and Conference Centre and Elevate.
2008 – Colbayns School landscaped wildlife park
This project involved more than 10 cleaning and grounds maintenance managers across a range of Pinnacle PSG’s contracts. When completed an overgrown and disused piece of land within the Colbyns’ school grounds in Essex was turned into landscaped area and wildlife pond used for lessons and recreation time. The site was officially opened on 4 December 2008 with a special ceremony marked by the students, teachers, school governors and the Pinnacle PSG team.
Two more challenges are planed for 2009. The first will involve Pinnacle PSG’s Midlands project, in conjunction with its client Midland Heart, one of the country’s top 10 housing and regeneration groups. The second challenge will be in North East Hackney and will be broadened out to involve the entire local Pinnacle PSG team.
The majority of managers that have experienced the challenge agreed that it was an excellent project that taught them new skills and brought clear and tangible benefits to the local community.
