SHINE

SHINE is to become part of the St Helens Compact, and Revd Philip Fell, who is the Chairman of SHINE, is the representative for the Faith Sector.

The St Helens Compact is a partnership agreement between St Helens Local Strategic Partnership, including: St Helens Borough Council, NHS Halton and St Helens and other statutory bodies and the voluntary, community, faith and voluntary sports sector.

This Compact sets out the principles and values of the partnership and aims to achieve a ‘Compact’ way of working by helping us to:

• Communicate better with each other
• Understand and respect each other’s views
• Work together more effectively to support the people and communities of St Helens

Shared Principles of the St Helens Compact
The following principles underpin the development, operation and review of the Compact.  Each organisation that is signed up to the Compact is encouraged to adopt these principles for their internal affairs.  We believe that:

• The voluntary, community, faith and voluntary sports sector fulfills a role that is distinct from both the statutory and private sectors.
• By working together we will achieve more for the people and communities of St Helens.
• Voluntary action and community involvement are essential to a  democratic society.
• An independent and diverse voluntary, community, faith and voluntary sports sector is fundamental to the wellbeing of society.
• People who work and/or volunteer in the voluntary, community, faith and voluntary sports sector make a vital and unique contribution to the wellbeing and health of people and communities in St Helens.
• Working in partnership enhances the ability of statutory sector bodies and of voluntary, community, faith and voluntary sports sector organisations to fulfill their own purposes, but also imposes a responsibility to contribute towards achieving common aims and objectives, according to the capacity of each organisation.
• Irrespective of any funding relationships, voluntary, community, faith and voluntary sports sector organisations are entitled to campaign in order to advance their aims and objectives, to comment on and challenge public and statutory sector policy and to determine and manage their own affairs.
• Genuine partnerships across the sectors require integrity, objectivity, understanding, accountability, openness, honesty, collaboration and recognition of the equal value of their contribution.
• Purposeful consultation improves policy development, builds relationships and enhances the design and delivery of services and programmes.

A copy of the full St Helens Compact document is available electronically from the SHINE office.  Please email the office - office@shine.org.uk for a copy.

For more information visit St Helens Council website on the link below:
http://www.sthelens.gov.uk/compact