Project Connect: Challenging The Narrative

From the very beginning of the program, they made us focus on being connected. Collectively
bringing all partners around serious youth violence together. They also understood us, and they listened to us before and during the program, they were open to listening rather
than just assuming.

The whole point of Get Connected was about understanding the communities by using the voice of the schools and people around the table and in the forum. Using them to create an action plan where three main priorities were agreed, these plans are still in place providing that legacy for Get Connected.

The ‘Get Connected’ workshops have been a game-changer for our team, enhancing our capabilities and fostering meaningful partnerships.

Thanks to Project Connect, we have developed a sustainable strategy that has significantly increased our impact in the public sector.
The project has also allowed to me make links with external agencies that I haven’t worked with before and been able to have them involved in young peoples lives that are now showing to make a difference. Consistency really is key, and I think we all share the same value.
 

Get Connected and Project Connect helped us refocus on our partnership working!  Sometimes doing the ‘day job’ you focus internally to other departments to help problem solve.  The project helped us to strengthen existing links and develop new links with other organisations so collectively we could achieve better outcomes for our young people

Joe possesses a remarkable talent for creative problem-solving, particularly when confronted with complex challenges; this skill has been absolutely instrumental in navigating difficult situations and consistently finding effective solutions. What truly stands out is his unwavering commitment to keeping young people and frontline practitioners at the very heart of his work, ensuring that all efforts are genuinely person-centered.

Get Connected approach was a real catalyst to unlocking renewed inter-agency partnership working in Sparkbrook Birmingham. Bringing together the many diverse organisations (community based and statutory) that work in Sparkbrook, jointly identifying common aims and potential opportunities to prevent violence through partnership working.

The Action Groups established through this process each focus on a different key theme and, with a Local Community Lead and Statutory Champion to drive each action group forward, feed into the wider quarterly Get Connected Partnership Network.

The Domestic Abuse Action Group has made significant progress – enabling the active and full participation of the community based specialist providers working to support women and families re domestic abuse. Jointly, a robust Domestic Abuse partnership action group plan has been developed by the group and is being implemented by them. This work also links with the wider Bham and Regional approaches to tackling Domestic Abuse.

The SAYVE plan was adopted by the Community Safety Partnership – to realise the outcomes of the Get Connected program the actions could then be managed via existing governance reporting structures.
Maintain regular contact with key partners and have an active advocate for change – checking in every couple of months to encourage information sharing, reaching out for support and understanding direction of travel between partners.
Continue with the youth centred approach – the voice of the child is so important along with a focus on prevention.
We are fortunate to have successful Local Focus Hubs in West Cumbria and following this activity our members have grown, tackling issues as a partnership really is the only way.