Project Introduction
Iron People is Northern Broadsides’ ambitious community engagement and participation project, taking place across Calderdale as part of CultureDale 2024-25. Activity includes a programme of community-led, co-created free events and activities in Todmorden, Sowerby Bridge, Elland, Mytholmroyd, Central Halifax and Park Ward, and an outdoor immersive performance in a local nature reserve. The project will culminate in a landmark closing event at Eureka! The National Children’s Museum on Saturday 26th April 2025, where these creative strands will converge in a day-long change-making event and performance, helping to mark the end of Calderdale’s Year of Culture.
Iron People began in November 2023, engaging local communities in a range of creative activities designed to explore environmental themes and connect participants to Calderdale’s natural and historic landscapes. The workshops include everything from storytelling, acting, and mudlarking to art-building sessions, illustration and family crafts, led by professional artists and eco-activists. These activities will not only inspire creative expression but also encourage participants to reflect on how they can take action to protect their local environment and help combat the climate crisis.
Funding
Iron People has been funded by multiple partners, including:
Arts Council England – as part of Northern Broadsides’ core NPO funding
CultureDale – a key commission
Calderdale Borough Council Culture Fund
West Yorkshire Mayor’s Community Fund
Community Foundation for Calderdale
Liz and Terry Bramall Foundation
UK Shared Prosperity Fund
National Lottery Community Fund
Evaluation
We are looking to work with an evaluator to measure the creative and social impact of the project, someone who has a passion for the arts, experience of evaluating community projects through analysis of quantitative and qualitative data, and a commitment to environmental sustainability.
With so many funding partners, the data capture, reporting and evaluation requirements are complex. An evaluation framework and a reporting timeline is in place, but we seek an expert consultant to work with us to refine this, to help us report to funders and stakeholders and to support our organisational learning and strategy development.
An evaluation of the environmental impact of the project is being completed by Sustainability Arts in Leeds (SAIL), who are also supporting NB to achieve the Theatre Green Book’s Basic Level for the finale event.
Evaluator responsibilities:
- Work with NB to identify organisational goals and learning outcomes
- Refine the existing evaluation framework to ensure all data capture, reporting and evaluation requirements are being met
- Work with NB staff and project freelance staff to identify appropriate and efficient data capture and methodology, including visual and anecdotal data
- Liaise with environmental evaluation partners, SAIL, where appropriate
- Collate and analyse data throughout and at the end of the project
- Work with the Marketing and Communications to ensure appropriate documentation is gathered to support evaluation including photographs and film
- Support reporting to funding partners
- Create a final project report, suitable for public and industry sharing
- Use findings and learning to advise on potential legacy and future strategy for Northern Broadsides’ community engagement
Tender Information
We welcome requests for an exploratory meeting in advance of submitting an application.
Please include:
details of relevant previous work
brief outline of suggested methodology and approach
estimated number of days to deliver
rate / fee
two referees
Deadline for tender applications: Monday 2 December, 5pm
Please submit to: Ruth Cooke, Executive Director at ruth@northern-broadsides.co.uk
