Shetland Partnership Network Thursday 24th August 2023

The workshop focussed on deepening an understanding of place-based working with Diarmaid Lawlor from Scottish Futures Trust.

The Shetland Partnership Network aims to help partners create a sense of shared ownership of community planning and to create a safe environment for open and honest conversations around the challenges and opportunities to tackle inequalities in Shetland. The Network brings together representatives of all community planning partners in Shetland and offers opportunities for information sharing, developing ideas and building relationships.

The workshop purpose was to strengthen a shared understanding of the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of working together, and how shared expectations of a way of working plays out in difference places with different partners.

Representatives of 14 partners attended, and groups discussed what it means to live well in our communities, collaborative working, and key things to focus on. Diarmaid led the group through thought-provoking questions, using anecdotes to bring the place-based working to life. Partner representatives felt there were good, honest conversations alongside challenging questions to consider and appreciated the opportunity to discuss these together at a well facilitated event.

For more information on why place matters, and what a place-based approach is, a good summary can be found on the Improvement Service Scotland website. The Improvement Service explain that place-based working requires a joint working, shared approach that takes account of the unique blend of characteristics that exist in every place. We have an opportunity to create what the Improvement Service call a ‘triple win’ where our places enhance the wellbeing of our planet and our people, while reducing inequalities.

An action plan of next steps will follow. Up to date information on the Shetland Partnership Delivery Plan will be available on the Projects section of our website.