Blogs

Guest blog: A flourish of Compact development work in Essex

Our latest guest blog is by Claire Greenhill from the Essex Compact Project. Claire discusses how a successful pilot in West Essex has led to an increase in Compact development work in the area. Previously, there were numerous district Compacts governing at a district level, and the Essex Compact applied to wider Essex matters. The pilot sought to establish whether the Essex Compact could be adapted for use in each district, instead of having to go through a review process for each individual district Compact.

203, it’s the magic number

You will hopefully be aware that Compact Voice launched a survey of local Compacts last month. It’s something that we are pretty excited about … but then we are massive Compact nerds!

Using work shadowing to build stronger partnerships

Paul Winyard from NCVO's Public Services and Partnerships team discusses the benefits of their cross-sector work shadowing scheme - and how you could build on it locally.

The Compact: Increasing my knowledge of geography?

Geography was never my strong point at school, and my sense of direction hasn’t improved much since. The only thing that helps me is remembering the phrase ‘Never Eat Shredded Wheat’ so I can remember the compass points of North, East, South and West. Needless to say, when I took on the role of Engagement Officer covering the North West, North East and Yorkshire & Humber, I knew it would be a challenge in more ways than one.

Will renewing your Compact be refreshing?

In my new role as Engagement Development Officer for Compact Voice I’ve been talking to different people who have either recently updated or are planning to update their local Compact.

The Compact: Sharpening its teeth?

Daniel Fluskey has spotted recent evidence to suggest that the Compact is gaining currency in the courts and strengthening the hand of claimants against unfair decisions made by public bodies.

The Big Society, the right to challenge and the dangers of astroturfing

The Big Society is …

That sentence has been finished in a wide variety of ways by both advocates and critics. However this points to at least some consensus - that it can be hard to define!

Big society

New projects and team members at Compact Voice

Like many people, I’ve just returned from a couple of weeks away from the office, having taken advantage of the numerous recent bank holidays. I was excited to be able to welcome two new members of the Compact Voice team: Elaine Cooper joins us as our new team and communications assistant, and Vicky Redding will be delivering our engagement programme in the South West and the Midlands.

Engagement

Organise it and they will come … Or will they?

Having trouble getting people from the voluntary and community sector to attend Compact related meetings and events? You are not alone. Perhaps now is the time to start thinking differently about how to reach a Compact audience.

Candid Compact Collaborations - Leeds event

On Thursday 10 March, Compact Voice held the first in a series of three national events designed to promote the importance of partnership working, and how the Compact can help in troubled times. We were joined by colleagues from across civil society in the grand setting of the Met Hotel in Leeds, with many attendees coming from across the region to contribute.

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