Support

• Support from Compact Voice
• Support from your Local Compact coordinators

Support from Compact Voice

We offer a range of support beyond the information on these pages. This includes a bi-monthly e-newsletter, where we'll share new resources, ideas and solutions from the field - register as a champion to receive this automatically. We'll also be running events for champions, and supporting coordinators and other local events run by others. We provide a Champions Hotline - telephone 0207 520 2453 or email us.

You can find searchable resources about and for champions, as well as information about the Compact, in our Resources section here. Finally, join the champions group on the Compact Voice Network online forum, to discuss issues and share solutions with current and future champions.

If you are an unsupported champion, please let us know.

Support from your Local Compact coordinators

It’s crucial that champions are supported locally rather than just left to get on with it. Successful champions don’t work alone. Where there is a Compact worker, s/he will work closely with Compact Champions, but most areas don't yet have one.

Where local support should come from
Arrangements are different around the country as to who is responsible for co-ordinating Compact implementation: it can be joint (such as in Wolverhampton), or with the council (in East Sussex). Whatever the arrangements, Council departmental Compact Champions should be getting support within the local authority. 

Strategic responsibility for the Compact is also part of the core role of the directors of sector infrastructure bodies, and they should arrange support at operational level. Spending time on supporting champions is definitely worthwhile, as it ensure that all the hours that champions put in are effective. 

Two-way communications are vital
Champions need to feed in to the Compact implementation group which in turn should get their key messages out to the champions. A regular local email bulletin for champions, an online network, and an annual meeting will also help champions to be more effective as a team and build championing across the sector and public bodies. The bottom line is who they can approach when they get stuck.

What should championing be like? If you’re a new champion, here's what you can look forward to; and if you’re an old hand then check how it is going against this portrait: My championing label is recognised, respected and influential: doors open for me I’m clear about my championing role and it doesn’t take up too much time I enjoy helping others put Compact principles into everyday practice Colleagues really like what their Compact can do for them Partnership working is like team work I may not be a Compact expert, but I do have a good feel for the Compact’s spirit If we have a problem with another organisation I’m confident about working with them to solve it I am part of a local champions network and can feed into the implementation group My information and training needs as a champion are known and are met I know where to go for local support and I get what I need from Compact Voice as well.