Workshops Focus on Compact Champions

18 May 2009

Six regional workshops exploring the important role of Compact Champions and promoting the findings from research capturing good practice and approaches are taking place during June and July 2009.

These workshops are aimed at people working in councils, health trusts and local groups who want to develop the role of their Champions to improve performance of their Local Compact. Local Compacts cover every area in England and mirror national Compact principles although they vary to reflect local issues and partnership arrangements.

The workshops are organised by the Commission for the Compact and Compact Voice, the independent body which represents the voluntary and community sector on taking forward the Compact. They are free of charge and will take place in:

• Newcastle-upon-Tyne     Tuesday 16 June 2009
• Wolverhampton                Thursday 18 June 2009
• London                                Monday 22 June 2009
• Leeds                                   Wednesday 24 June 2009
• Bristol                                  Tuesday 30 June 2009
• Manchester                        Tuesday 7 July 2009

Paul Barasi, Local Compact Voice Officer, said:

“Compact Champions help make their Compact known, understood and implemented. They play an important role in how Local Compacts work on the ground and they can turn a Compact way of working into a daily reality that helps local groups and public bodies build thriving communities. These workshops will help answer the often asked questions on how to recruit, train and ensure that Champions have the necessary skills.”

Richard Williams, Policy Adviser at the Commission for the Compact, said:

“The research undertaken by the Institute of Voluntary Action Research (IVAR) has assessed the role and impact of Compact Champions. A report of the research findings will be published at the beginning of June 2009 and it will form a practical guide that will help and support councils, health trusts and local groups in developing the role of their Champions to improve performance of their Local Compacts. It will also provide a blueprint for those organisations considering appointing Compact Champions.”

Places at the workshops are free of charge but must be pre-booked. For further information and to book a place at one of the regional workshops, please complete the online booking form at:

www.thecompact.org.uk/compactchampions 
or email events@thecompact.org.uk

Notes for Editors

• The Compact is the 10-year-old agreement which sets out shared commitments and guidelines for working between government and the voluntary and community sector. It aims to address areas of poor performance and sets out a statement of intent to work in partnership supported by five codes of practice. These five codes cover funding and procurement, community groups, Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) groups, volunteers and consultation.
  
• Workshop Programme
  • 10.00am Registration
  • 10.30am Welcome from the Commission for the Compact
  • 10.40am to 11.40am Session 1
     - IVAR: research findings
     - The importance of Compact Champions: a view from Compact Voice
     - How we make it work: a local perspective
  • 11.40am to 12.00 Refreshment break
  • 12.00 to 1.00pm Session 2
    Group discussion topics:
     - Do the findings work for you?
     - How can Compact Champions be supported in the future?
     - What needs to happen to increase Local Compact performance?
  • 1.00pm Lunch

Ends

Useful Documents

Compact Champions workshop booking form
Compact Champions Informaion Leaflet
Press Release: Compact Champions Workshops

For media enquiries, please contact:

Catherine Byerley, Communications Officer
Commission for the Compact
Tel: 0121 237 5905
Email: catherine.byerley@thecompact.org.uk