Portsmouth Partnership chosen to take part in new national programme
The Portsmouth Together Partnership has been chosen as one of the 20 places in England to take part in the first phase of the Placed Based Social Action programme.
The Placed Based Social Action programme is funded using £4.5 million of Government and National Lottery money, and is managed by the Big Lottery Fund in partnership with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
The Place Based Social Action programmes aims to support communities to put social action at the heart of plans which make a positive difference in the local area. It gives people the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the design and delivery of local services by bringing together communities, local authorities, public sector organisations, service providers, civil society organisations and businesses to address local priorities.
Between now and December 2018, Portsmouth Together will work with Locality, the national network for community organisations that bring local people together to meet local needs, to design a local social action plan.
Portsmouth Together started in 2014 when Portsmouth become part of the Cities of Service UK Programme. From initially focussing on a small number of impact volunteering initiatives, Portsmouth Together has developed into a city wide volunteering service and become the volunteering development agency in the city recognised by all sectors and local residents.
The partnership also comprises representatives from all sectors across the city including Portsmouth City Council, 
Citizens Advice Portsmouth, Portsmouth CCG, The Southern Coop, Portsmouth Disability Forum, Shaping Portsmouth, Pompey in the Community and the University of Portsmouth, representing all sectors of the community and bringing a wide range of assets to the partnership.
Sandy O’Neill, CEO of Citizens Advice Portsmouth and Chair of the Portsmouth Together Partnership said, “We are very excited that our Partnership has been chosen as one of the 20 places in England to take part in the first phase of the Placed Based Social Action programme. Whilst the partnership has already developed a range of volunteering and social action initiatives, we see this as an opportunity to create and deliver a City wide social action sustainable strategy that is owned not just be the City Council, but by the wider community and citizens across Portsmouth.”
Brian Bracher, Portsmouth Together Coordinator said, “We are clearly very pleased that the work of the Partnership over the past 3 years has been recognised. However, being selected as a Placed Based Social Action location means that we can really step up our engagement with local groups and residents. Over the next 10 months the Partnership will work with local community groups and residents to create a shared vision and plan setting out how social action can respond to the priorities facing our city.
Cllr Luke Stubbs, Deputy Leader, Portsmouth City Council said: : “I’m delighted that Portsmouth has been selected to participate in the Place Based Social Action Programme. Social action in the community is at the heart of many of the projects that we’re delivering with partners across the city. We’re keen to maximise this and further explore the potential as we believe it’s fundamental to how we shape our vision for the future.”
In January 2019, up to 10 of the 20 partnerships taking part in the first stage of the Place Based Social Action programme will go on to be awarded funding of up to £240,000 for three years to put their plans into action. Following this, up to five of these partnerships will be awarded further funding of up to £255,000 to develop and expand their plans for another three years to December 2024.
To find out more about the Portsmouth Together Partnership and how you can get involved in the Place Based Social Action Programme Portsmouth please visit the website www.volunteer.hiveportsmouth.com
