Four Functions of Local Infrastructure
Function One
Leadership and Advocacy
What We Do
Voice of the sector
Part of our role is to be the voice of the sector. But what do we mean when we say, ‘voice of the sector’?
Essentially, we take what you tell us to the people who can make a difference and we can stress the importance of your work in communities to those who make the big decisions.
It’s about knowing the right people, finding the right places, and having the right conversations. Our job is to find as many different ways as possible to gather the information we need to make it easy for you to help us have those important conversations.
It's all about you!
We don’t know everything, and we don’t claim to either. But you do. You, your organisation, your staff, your volunteers, you community, your beneficiaries.
You, who are working in local communities every single day.
You, who know the people you support. You know the barriers the sector faces, and you know what’s needed to break them down.
You know what people in communities need the most, you know where the gaps are, and you know how to fill them.
How We Do It
Leadership
We lead and facilitate groups, networks, and forums to gather your thoughts, needs, and experiences, and those of the communities you work in. Knowing what the problem is and what you and your community needs is part of the solution.
We also facilitate one off workshops, world cafés and other engagement events. Bringing people together across the sectors to make sure you can be involved in shaping decisions and solutions at the earliest opportunity.
Advocacy
We sit on and chair different boards, and we attend all sorts of consultation events to advocate for you and your organisation, for your communities, and for the sector as a whole.
We share your thoughts and experiences with partners like Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Public Health, local health authorities, Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce; literally anyone who will listen.