What We Do:

We develop and facilitate innovative solutions that
enabling our clients to achieve their aims.

"He that will not apply new remedies must expect new evils" Francis Bacon 1561-1626

This is as true today as it was in Bacon's time except that now the 'evils' are more complex and in business terms more dangerous. Unlike in Bacon's era The Tarka Foundation is now here to help with such things as:

Social enterprise development

We are a successful social enterprise foundation, practicing what we preach. Having direct experience of operating social enterprises we are able to assist others through the process and demonstrate both the business and community advantages.

Feasibility studies and project evaluations

These can be used independently or as linked packages.

Project feasibility studies include

• Conceptual research
• Market needs, size, structure and trends
• Delivery identification
• Strategic impact
• Value for money
• Exit strategies

Pre-project work includes:

• Local community agenda recognition and support analysis
• Design and preparation of specific application forms; guidance notes; monitoring and audit documentation
• Project delivery, application assessments and reporting (either as short-listing or final recommendations)
• Press and media programmes, exhibitions and V.I.P. involvement with projects

Evaluations include:

• Pre-start, mid-term and final evaluations against agreed criteria
• Measurable outputs
• Hard and soft outcomes
• Impact assessments
• "Lessons learned" reports to assist policymakers with future programmes

Project funding and business tenders

We assist clients to prepare project funding bids and commercial business tenders but as a matter of policy we do not totally prepare bids or tenders on their behalf. From the many years of experience of preparing project bids and tenders; reviewing applications and managing projects we know that you are the ones with the best passion and drive to prepare your own applications - we can help with the technicalities and show you what works but we will not write applications for you. Our 'Getting Your Hands on the Money' workshop based on the successful methods used in project bids and the preparation of commercial tenders helps experienced bid writers hone their existing skills and new bid writers learn proven, successful techniques. As one workshop delegate put it "I was challenged, educated and entertained, a useful day, it took away the feeling that bid writing is too complicated."

Strategic growth

We work with the public sector, private sector and the voluntary/community sector to identify and help with strategic growth.

Work includes among other things:

• Strategic planning
• Growth and succession planning
• Communications and public relations including exhibition organisation
• Income generation
• Asset transfer
• Market analysis
• Bespoke training to meet a variety of needs
• Motivational speakers for events
• Provision of non-executive directors
• Chairman training programmes

Workshops, seminars, conferences and events

We have a number of standard format workshops and seminars or alternatively we develop them around the particular needs of our clients. For other events we carry out specific needs or total management including the provision of speakers; press/media relations; participant booking arrangements; venue identification and catering requirements.

Recruitment

E-Staff is one of our own social enterprises. Its role is to provide clients with an independent 'head hunting' facility for consultants; short to medium term senior management requirements; permanent management personnel and non-executive board members. E-Staff is not an employment agency; it is dedicated to clients' specific needs and works by carrying out searches against defined criteria. E-Staff is led by the former managing director of a specialist employment business.

We are always developing new solutions for our clients if you have something you would like us to take a look at for you contact us with out obligation on tarkafoundation@tarka.org.uk.

The Tarka Foundation, Hallsannery Centre, New Road, Bideford, Devon, EX39 5HE, UK.
Tel: (+44) (0)1237 472 135 | e-mail info@tarkafoundation.org.uk