Partnerships within the Social Sector

How might we build more effective and equal partnerships among organisations in the voluntary sector?

Partnerships and collaborations are increasingly important to organisations throughout the voluntary sector. We can often achieve greater social change by working together as part of wider movements. Joint working can make us all stronger in difficult times. And funders often insist on working with coalitions and partnerships rather than individual organisations.

But it is not always easy to build effective partnerships that treat all members as equals. It’s vital to consider the challenges and opportunities before forming a new partnership.

Equal Partnerships is a series of video interviews with leaders in the voluntary sector who've been involved in effective partnerships. It’s intended to be used by voluntary organisations that are planning to start a new partnership and want to make it a success.

There are separate videos exploring these key questions:

• How did you come to be involved in this partnership?
• Why do you think it’s successful?
  
• What barriers, difficulties or obstacles have you had to overcome?
• What advice would you give to other organisations entering into partnerships?
• How do you think this partnership could be maintained?

Group members:

• Craig Bankhead, Gateshead Older People’s Assembly @GatesheadOPA
• Tim Hughes, Democracy and Open Participation Lead, Open Government Partnership @opengovpart
• Dee Lalljee, The Bookery @deelalljee
• Sally Lockey, Project Director, Right Up Our Street @sallylockey
• Matt Plen, Chief Executive, Masorti Judaism @mattplen
• Liam Purcell, Communications and Supporter Relations Manager, Church Action on Poverty @churchpoverty

Please scroll down for the videos.