Joined Up? Engaging regional and local support providers with the national support services
25/01/2008
On 22 January, representatives from the lead bodies of the nine National Support Services (NSS) workstreams gathered in Birmingham to engage with regional and local ChangeUp consortium and Improving Reach grant recipients.
'Creative' conversation
The event, hosted by Capacitybuilders, aimed to encourage a ‘creative’ discussion that will help shape the development of the new national support services, ensuring they work effectively alongside a range of sector support providers, especially those working at local and regional level.
Meeting peoples' needs
All NSS lead bodies are currently working with Capacitybuilders to develop their 3 year business plans. A key element of this work is a commitment to ensure that these plans accurately reflect the needs of the people and organisations delivering support to third sector organisations across England.
Round table discussions
Facilitated by Capacitybuilders’ Catherine Johnstone, delegates took part in a series of round table discussions and were given the opportunity to speak directly with the lead bodies about the workstreams.
Shared experiences
Delegates shared their experiences of receiving services to deliver better support to the frontline and identified what the national support services can learn from this experience.
Practical solutions
Delegates put forward practical solutions to ensure that the national support services provide ‘added value’ and adopt principles that make them inclusive, informed and beneficial without being bureaucratic.
Ongoing development
The event received a warm welcome from all attendees and plans to continue this type of ‘creative conversation’ as part of the ongoing development of the national support services are being considered.
Development of NSS business plans
The range of practical proposals put forward during the discussions will now feed into the development of the business plans currently being developed.
Further information and event feedback
For further information about the national support services and the JoinedUp? event, please download the documents listed below:
