Partnerships: more than the sum of their parts

As my colleagues will tell you, I talk about partnership working a lot. It’s mainly because of these three truths: 1) the demand for third sector services is increasing, 2) charities are generally strapped for resource, 3) you can conquer these challenges with a good partnership – it’ll be greater than the sum of its parts. This is why funders like partnerships - they get more bang for their buck! However, as part of SCVO’s research into the third sector and welfare on the frontline, a service manager recently told me:

“In the context of responding to welfare reform, there is no ‘joined-up approach’ in service provision – no close linkages between statutory bodies and the third sector. Yet those different organisations are often speaking to the same people.”

So, why aren't we better at working together?

• Many organisations tell me that because they are dealing with increasing service demand, funding cuts, and short term funding contracts, capacity to build relationships is reduced and successful projects disappear.

“With no security, initiatives that are doing positive things are being cut and people, networks and partnerships are being lost.”

• Some feel that competitive public sector tendering processes and funding streams are hindering joint working.

• There are organisations who mention a fear of investing time to build partnerships that are ultimately unsuccessful.

• And it seems to me that frontline organisations are at a disadvantage as they often don’t have the time, resource, opportunity, proximity, or staffing structure to attend meetings and networking sessions that larger organisations do.

But wait, there is hope. These potential barriers can be overcome. Take the Cairn Dundee harm reduction service, for instance. It provides support for drug users, including a needle exchange and health and wellbeing support. It has also taken the plunge, invested the time, and beaten the fear.  By using one of its assets (space) it has taken the practical measure of inviting potential competitors into its building and as a result turned into a veritable hotbed of partnerships. The harm reduction service has a great relationship with Taught by Muhammad, a local food bank who provides food at the service’s Sunday drop-in clinic.

The rate of successful referrals has greatly improved with the services being co-located.

Another collaboration is with Dundee North Law Centre and the Connect Team. Because the service’s signposting was not working with service users, they invited the Connect Team who provide welfare rights advice and Dundee North Law who provide legal service for appeals, to each spend one or two days a week within the centre. The rate of successful referrals has greatly improved with the services being co-located. Finally, the NHS and Dundee University Blood Borne Viruses study is working with the harm reduction service on Hepatitis C eradication research. The study is located at the service due to the blood spot testing that’s already in practice and because the service has developed the reputation as a safe and trusted place for needle users to visit. The study has been running for over a year with 52 people signed up and 5 people who have successfully eradicated Hepatitis C. The harm reduction service benefits from this partnership as it now sees people more regularly and can support them more effectively with other aspects of their lives. As Daniel Kelly, the harm reduction service manager said:

“The more integrated services are and the more joint working, the more we can tackle problems head on. We have hit so many more outcomes and engaged people in far more services than we have in the past just by working in a more joined up way.”

It’s true, an effective partnership does take effort, yet it’s worth working to overcome these barriers to achieve much more for individuals and families.  Third sector partnerships, community partnerships, cross-sector partnerships, the more the merrier. And don’t forget to shout about your successes: the Scottish Charity Awards has a Perfect Partnership category. Apply before Friday 13 March.