Hartlepool Partnership

IT WAS a great night for Hartlepool at the first North East Voluntary Community Sector Awards on Thursday 30th October.

Held at the Quayside Exchange in Sunderland and hosted by Dame Tanni Gray-Thompson, the event saw four of the town's local organisations recognised for their good work within the community.

Out of 130 entrants taking part in the awards, Hartlepool's newly agreed Compact, walked away with the title of Compact of the Year following the Judges comments of how their work could be seen as a blueprint for the correct process of how to develop a Compact as they "clearly listened to what people wanted."

Hartlepool based SkillShare North East also won the best Support Organisation award whilst Hart Gables and ADDvance, were shortlisted in the Outstanding Organisation category.

Ian Dodds from Government Office North East, said: "There are a number of individuals and organisations that are achieving phenomenal work and therefore enforcing strength in their communities.

"By celebrating these institutions we are highlighting success and proving how essential this kind of work is to our region's future development."
As a Compact, Hartlepool Partnership sets out agreed working practises between the voluntary and community sector and named public sector service providers.

Joanne Smithson from the Hartlepool Partnership, said: "We've worked hard in the last 18 months to develop a Compact that will really make a difference and I'd like to thank all those residents and community groups who freely gave of their time to help shape the Compact and respond to Consultation opportunities.

"I would also like to say a big thank you to our partners who have already signed up including the National Probation Service Teesside and Durham, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust, Learning & Skills Council, Jobcentre Plus, Esk and Wear Valley Mental Health Trust and Hartlepool Borough Council."