Partner Article

Northern Heartlands strengthens future growth with Arrow innovation support

County Durham creative community organisation Northern Heartlands has developed a stronger framework for future growth and impact following a strategic research project delivered with Newcastle University through the Arrow innovation support programme.

Based in Barnard Castle, Northern Heartlands has been bringing together artists, communities and partners since 2017 to help people in rural and post-industrial areas shape the future of their places through creativity, engagement and consultation.

As the organisation entered a period of leadership transition and began developing a new business plan, it sought support to better understand future opportunities for growth, new markets and income diversification while maintaining its community-focused mission.

Through the Arrow innovation support programme, Northern Heartlands worked with Dr Nicholas Cooke, Senior Innovation Associate at Arrow, and Professor Simin Davoudi, Professor of Town Planning at Newcastle University, to explore the charity’s strategic direction and identify opportunities for expansion.

The project involved an in-depth review of Northern Heartlands’ services, drawing on evidence from similar place-based initiatives across the UK, research into community engagement and regeneration, and the organisation’s own track record of impact.

The resulting study delivered a practical and accessible framework to support future decision-making, including recommendations on new services, partnerships and potential markets. The findings are now helping Northern Heartlands refine its business plan and identify where it can create the greatest value for communities across County Durham.

The support has also increased the organisation’s confidence to develop relationships beyond the arts sector, helping it engage with a wider range of partners and opportunities. Insights from the project have informed refreshed communications, including a new website, updated messaging and a clearer articulation of the organisation’s offer.

With a team of just three people, Northern Heartlands is now building on its strong foundations to explore new ways of engaging communities, strengthening partnerships and ensuring that people living in rural, isolated and post-industrial areas have a stronger voice in decisions that affect their lives.

Katy Milne, Creative Director at Northern Heartlands, said:

“Arrow helped us to feel confident, providing wider evidence to show that our ideas were worth exploring and there is need for our work across sectors. It was a really positive experience that gave us a lot to work with and is helping us to move forward.”

Dr Nicholas Cooke, Senior Innovation Associate at Arrow Newcastle University, added:

“This was typical of the best projects we work on at Arrow. Northern Heartlands were very engaged, focused on the practical outcomes of the project, and had clear goals in mind. This meant that Prof. Davoudi and I were able to work together with them to meet those needs and deliver a project that was not only satisfying to work on but delivered real and measurable benefits for Northern Heartlands.”

The project highlights how Arrow’s research-led innovation support can help organisations navigate change, identify new opportunities and create sustainable plans for future growth while continuing to deliver meaningful impact in their communities.

Arrow provides bespoke innovation support to help North East organisations develop innovative new products, services and processes by connecting them with specialist knowledge, facilities and research expertise from the region’s universities

Arrow support is free for eligible North East organisations to access thanks to funding from the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority through its Integrated Settlement Fund, and is delivered in partnership by Durham University, Newcastle University, Northumbria University and the University of Sunderland,

Discover how Arrow can support innovation in businesses based in County Durham, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Sunderland, Gateshead, Newcastle and Northumberland. 

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Arrow Innovation support .