In it together

It feels better when people in communities and public agencies work together, doesn’t it? Back in 2005, we saw that things weren’t working as well as they should have been. Even people who were active in community groups didn’t entirely know who the partnerships were, what they did and who was involved. So we set out to work together in different and better ways.

In it together is our name for the range of activities that Dudley Community Partnership is undertaking around community engagement. It’s a strategic approach, but one that provides lots of practical support to people and groups who want to engage, and those who are trying to engage them. This ranges from training to a range of guidance documents – printed or online.

It’s innovative. Dudley is one of the first areas in the country to bring concepts of empowerment to community engagement. It’s empowering – reducing negative and disempowering experiences, and the natural worries of officers who are tasked with engaging communities. It’s about communities … and their relationships with the people who provide services for them. And it’s about working together better – reducing duplication, and being open, supportive and accessible.

In it together was developed by a Community Engagement Working Group – a multi-organisation group of people which formed in 2007. Membership of the group has changed over time. The group is now responsible for planning and implementing activities which promote the in it together approach. The group plan and host Community Engagement Network events. They organise and often deliver training and support which relates to engaging communities. You can see thier action plan below.

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