Collaboration
Great things happen when we work together! Most not for profits work together for one of three main reasons: to boost organisational efficiency, increase organisational effectiveness, or drive broader social and systems change.
No one organisation can effectively address the complex social issues our communities are experiencing, so the need to work together is well recognised to achieve greater impact. However working with other organisations is often easier said than done.
To enable organisations to work together SociaLink offers the services of an experienced Collaborative Practice Coordinator who can assist groups of organisations wanting to work together.
The types of services we can provide are:
- Organising meetings
- Facilitate meetings (SociaLink is independent so is well placed to take on this role)
- Take and distribute hui notes
- Help apply with funding for the group and/or initiatives developed by the group
- Hold funding on behalf of the group
- Facilitate a review of the group including Terms of Reference etc.
Below are some projects SociaLink has helped to progress.
Do you need some help with a collaborative project?
Child Poverty Action Group
CPAG is a charity founded in 1994 which works to eliminate child poverty in New
Zealand through research, education and advocacy. The CPAG Regional Network for the Western Bay has become a well established collaborative, under the umbrella of CPAG National.
The Western Bay of Plenty branch of the Child Poverty Action Group and SociaLink hosted a discussion on May 24 for social agencies to hear the national organisation’s analysis of the 2022 Budget. To view more information on this event use this link.
Shining The Light on Child Poverty included three speakers – Alan Johnson, National Deputy Convenor for CPAG, Hana Seddon, a social worker from the Salvation Army and senior associate at the Institute for Governance and Policy Studies and economic inequality commentator Max Rashbrooke.
COLAB - Our community it thriving, connected and supported.
An informal collaboration that was established in early 2018, membership comprises social service agencies and community groups servicing Te Puke and surrounding areas. SociaLink provided facilitation to guide the formative collaborative process and the creation of a common vision. Since a part time Coordinator was contracted in 2019, SociaLink’s role is now to offer general support and provide fund holder and backbone support as COLAB continues to evolve and grow in their local Community Led Development space.
Homeless Provider Network (HPN)
In May 2019, SociaLink invited over one hundred people from services working in the housing and homelessness sector to gather for korero as the housing crisis continued to deepen. By August 2019, HPN had partnered with Tauranga City Council to co-design a subregional strategy that came into being as a Mayoral Task Force on Homelessness in March 2020, Kainga Tupu. Members remain involved in all levels of the strategy’s four main areas for action, to progress current items earmarked for action. HPN also formed a Food Group (community meal providers), some of whom collaborated very effectively as self-named Community Kai Collective to ensure meal provision continued during lockdown and fluctuating alert levels.
SociaLink continues to facilitate and support HPN as well as sector collaboration in general projects and initiatives identified by members for action, complementary to Kainga Tupu.
Spectrum Collective – Takiwātanga
Invited by SociaLink to meet and explore opportunities for collaboration, all those providing services in the autism spectrum sectormet in November 2019. A name, vison and mission statement as well as a logo were adopted. Monthly meetings continue where members network, share updates, invite guest speakers etc. The collective group also supported the Light up the Night 10 October 2020 event organised by Dan, a DJ with his own experience of autism. General community engagement offering information on autism and supports available was followed by a free ticketed DJ event for youth living with autism or other challenges. Hugely successful, this may become an annual event.