Worcestershire Compact

What is a compact?

There is growing recognition in national policy of the importance and value of the voluntary and community sector and in particular the many instances where they:

• provide services which reach local people and communities that public bodies don't
• mobilise significant numbers of volunteers and
• play an important policy advocacy role.

Worcestershire Partnership  tasked the Engaging Worcestershire Steering Group to work with representatives from the voluntary/community and statutory sectors to develop a  Compact document and to ensure a thorough and inclusive consultation process is developed and implemented.  The Worcestershire Compact was signed up to by the Worcestershire Partneship Board.

The intended benefits of the Compact include:

• the provision of a framework within which the relationship between the voluntary, community and statutory sectors can be developed in the areas of partnerships, consultation, funding, volunteering, community groups and equal opportunities.
• the development of an even stronger voluntary sector that can express and support its own needs through sustainable community action.
• a greater understanding of the contribution made by volunteers and the services provided by voluntary organisations in meeting the social, economic and environmental wellbeing needs of the County. particulary in respect of some of the more vunerable and socially excluded sections of the community.

The Compact is not about continually looking back - it is about looking at where we are now and moving forward.  The way the two sectors work together determines how effectively and efficiently both partners are able to improve the quality of life for the people in Worcestershire.

At a successful event held on the 7th June attended by 160 delegates from the voluntary and statutory sector the Worcestershire Compact was launched.

Compact Brochure  (614.02 KB)

Compact Summary  (178.86 KB)

Funding and Procurement Protocol  (275.18 KB)

Volunteering Code of Practice  (262.50 KB)