It’s my last blog of 2020 and I’m delighted to tell you about a new partnership. We can share what we will be aiming to achieve as well as a few reflections about what makes a good partnership.
The sector is constantly told to collaborate. This isn’t as easy as it sounds. After all, you don’t generally hear of Superdrug and Boots collaborating do you? And yet we’re all meant to against a backdrop of increasingly finite resource and growing demand as well as need.
In January we will be working with Prince’s Trust, a small group of volunteer mentors, a number of local employers and HMP Norwich to support a small cohort of men pre-release. With the overall aim of preventing reoffending, we will be tailoring and delivering a fantastic package of life skills training and soft employment skills training to prepare the men for release.
In addition we will be delivering our uniquely restorative and strength-based workshops to both employers and mentors to equip them with the skills and confidence to support the men on their journey to release.
The employers will be offering interviews, work placements and even jobs as well as accommodation.
We are very excited to be offering this unique package as a pilot project in an area where it can have a massive impact on people’s lives, offending, homelessness and life outcomes.
Partnership is never easy though. What has made it easier is a shared mission and ambition. Prince’s Trust bring this passion to achieve the mission as well as connections and capacity. We bring the expertise, experience and skillset to make this happen and in our uniquely engaging and impactful delivery style.
What has been vital to the partnership is ongoing communication, complementary capabilities as well as patience and forgiveness. We all work differently and sometimes think we’re the best. Chances are we’re not and that each party brings something to the table. Without each other this wouldn’t be happening at all.
A good message this Christmas perhaps.
We can’t wait to share the learning with you and hope you have a fantastic break.
Thanks personally for taking the time to read my blogs too!
