Summary
Better Relationships, Better Outcomes is a comprehensive review of the relationship between public bodies and Glasgow’s voluntary sector, with eight key areas of focus each featuring recommendations for change.
Making A Difference
The output of the Better Relationship, Better Outcomes is a written report, which is publically available and accessible below. While the recommendations have not yet been implemented, the intention is for it to improve the efficacy of partnership work between the public and third sectors.
The third sector and public sectors share the aspiration and drive to do our best for the city and its citizens, but they each have different approaches and cultures. Differences in culture and approach may not be detrimental to the relationship between the third sector and the council in themselves; on the most part each has a culture that is appropriate for its context and role. The differences can, however, result in friction between partners, which must be addressed if we are to harness our united power to meet the complex challenges the city faces.
Better Relationships, Better Outcomes is a review of the relationship between public bodies and the voluntary (or third) sector in the city of Glasgow. The review forms part of the city’s Social Recovery Task Force set up following the Covid-19 pandemic to find better approaches to meeting the needs of all of Glasgow’s citizens. The first stage of the review was undertaken by a Review Group of voluntary sector leaders in the city.
The Review Group have made a series of recommendations that seek to change approaches in the city, with the intention of developing ever-better relationships – relationships that are needed if we are to make the changes to people’s lives that we all want to see.
The review will seek to determine what could realistically be done in the short and longer term to improve the impact of the third sector in the city. Key discussions have included:
- The existing Concordat between the council and the third sector, and what impact it has had
- What works well and what does not
- How third sector activity is commissioned and resourced
- What would improve collaboration
- What would improve inclusion and participation
- How do we best work alongside communities
- What changes does the third sector need to make
- What changes does the public sector need to make
- What is needed to support these changes
The Review has focused on eight key areas of discussion – Values, Power Dynamics, Community Empowerment, Funding, Representation, Communications & Understanding, Procurement, and Accountability & Implementation. For each of these areas the Review Group has answered the questions ‘Where are we now?’, ‘Where do we want to be?’, and ‘What are our recommendations for change?’, with the aim to build a picture of exactly what the city needs to change to achieve the intended vision.
To read the full report, which details the approach taken, defines the key areas of focus, and a full breakdown of recommendations, follow the link below:
Engagement and Feedback
The draft report aims to inspire discussion and debate. Over the few months following publication we want the sector to have meaningful discussions and for new contributions to emerge. To contribute to the review, you can:
Online Discussion
Engage in conversation on the GCVS Mighty Networks platform. In the run-up to each meeting of the review group, we will post a request for input on the topics we are about to discuss. The platform also allows for online debate between members:
https://glasgow.mn.co/share/QpVnKaWHSWoSKXnn?utm_source=manual
Online Survey
We have a short, general online survey as a space to capture feedback.
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/3775SBG
Events
The Review Group will run a series of events to discuss the findings of the report.
Dates for these will be announced shortly but if you want to make sure you receive this then please email review@gcvs.org.uk.
