Focus on Partnerships Uttam Gujral Head of Community Partnerships Unit

Focus on Partnerships

Uttam Gujral

Head of Community Partnerships Unit

Uttam.Gujral@hounslow.gov.uk

Dr Ellie Francis-Brophy

Principal Community Investment Officer

Ellie.Francis-Brophy@hounslow.gov.uk

Wednesday 19 April 2023

Community Partnerships Unit

• CPU takes a corporate lead in the strategic development and management of the council’s partnership with the VCS to deliver key organisational objectives.

Our team of nine also advise Members on work relating to:   

• a stronger and empowered community - more people participating in local decision making

• a cohesive and resilient community – people from different backgrounds getting on well

• a sustainable and independent voluntary and community sector – building the capacity of the third sector and supporting sustainable growth

• encourage neighbourhood partnerships consisting of local stakeholders – facilitating regeneration within the borough’s communities.

Our work supporting the VCS

• VCS Grants • Commissioning• Hounslow 4 Community – funding portal• Capacity building • HCN, Voluntary Community Sector Support Service• Communications – Evolve weekly newsletter • Annual VCS Survey • Community development – street level to Area

Forums• Raise VCS priorities across all areas within Council

New projects for 2014 onwards

• Community Resource Centre, Treaty Centre

• Evaluation of our Commissioned Contracts

• Strengthening what we know about the sector (New and Emerging Communities)

• Social Value Act

• CPU wide evaluation and monitoring processes

• Overview of funded projects on website (with details and links)

• Refreshed VCS Strategy and Corporate Funding strategy for Voluntary sector

• Reviewing focus of grants – type/outcomes, guidance information

• Responding to needs identified by HCN & data

Thank you for listening

Any questions?