Partnerships

A Manchester Project for Mental Health & Well Being

 

The Delivering Inclusion Network (DIN) is an active partnership between voluntary/third sector mental health and wellbeing organisations in Manchester.

The DIN vision is that all of its member organisations are able to deliver high quality, diverse, inclusive & sustainable services which support people to manage their mental health and well-being and meet the needs of individuals andcommunities.

DIN is a Limited Liability Partnership. This means there is a formal partnership agreement between member organisations, however they will not be held liable if the partnership ends.

 

The overall aim of DIN is to develop a model of excellence in mental health service delivery which:

Enables local third sector organisations to support people and communities to manage their own mental health and wellbeing;

Encourages access to a wider choice of high quality services which take a holistic, person centred, inclusive approach to mental health and wellbeing;

Demonstrates that the voluntary sector can develop a greater role in mainstream mental health service delivery by acting in partnership.

Contributes insights from a local community and third sector perspective to enhance the understanding, strategy and practice of commissioners and influence policy.

 

Contracts & Commissioning; Partnerships & Consortiums; Building Capacity

DIN supports member organisations to become commissioning ready; work effectively in partnership on joint projects and develop consortiums to deliver services.

Support includes training, information, resources, toolkits, consultancy/development worker time, events and skills/experience sharing on issues such as:

Organisational health checks (based on commissioning requirements)

Identifying and implementing appropriate quality standards

Full cost recovery,

Measuring outcomes & demonstrating impact

Monitoring and evaluation

Service user involvement

 

For a Strong & Diverse Voluntary Sector, Responsive to Current Reform

Person-centred, outcomes led, preventative and recovery services fit well within the voluntary sector and reflect the way the sector operates. In order to successfully deliver commissioned services smaller third sector organisations are likely to have to work in partnerships and consortiums.

The benefits associated with consortium tenders include:

Cost saving

Resource & skill sharing

Coordinated approach to services

Stronger voice in campaigning and negotiating

Wider reach than a single organisation

Increased independence of services

A greater diversity of services and more choice for service users

 

How DIN works: Structure & Membership

DIN is run in the style of a consortium cooperative i.e. each member organisation owns and takes some responsibility for managing the partnership. It adheres to and promotes the cooperative values of Self help, Self-responsibility, Democracy, Equality, Equity and Solidarity. DIN is managed by a steering group of representatives from the member organisations with advice and support from statutory sector partners.

The Steering Group, meets regularly enabling the partners to share information & good practice and to guide the work of the partnership.

 

Membership of the network is free and open to third sector mental health & wellbeing organisations in Manchester. To register there is a membership form which needs to completed and returned to the development worker in order to register an organisation.

DIN partners share a common vision, understanding, good communication & respect for each others' organisational culture and aims.

 

Network Development Worker

The network employs a development worker, funded through the Baring Foundation, who works with the partnership to update and carry forward the DIN business plan; identify/create new partnership opportunities and joint projects; support the development of the organisations in relation to DIN; promote and represent the partnership to ensure it is able to respond appropriately to strategic developments within the mental health sector.

 

Contact Details

Megan Ohri

Network Development Worker

Tel: 0161 832 2215

Email: megan@harp-project.org

Write: c/o HARP, Unit 4, Cornbrook Enterprise Centre, 70 Quenby Street, Hulme, Manchester, M15 4HW.