Great partnerships don’t happen by magic; they take planning, commitment, and trust. Our Cinnamon Recommended Projects share their advice to help you collaborate well with a whole range of partners.
1. Agree common goals
We believe that long-term partnerships are based on common goals, with no hidden agendas and working with the same heart together for the same outcome. With CMA, that is working towards helping our clients see freedom from debt and gain hope for the future.
Kate Downward
Community Money Advice
Community Money Advice (CMA) helps local churches who have a vision to help people in debt, to establish local money advice centres.
2. Set clear expectations
Successful long-term partnerships are built around clear expectations of each other and being able to accessibly review these expectations and any objectives that we set. Ensuring that we deliver on the things that we agree to bode well for strengthening trusted partnerships not just for our organisations but for the people we seek to serve.
Paul Stevenson
Bethany Christian Trust
Bethany Christian Trust work with individuals and local communities across Scotland to prevent and end homelessness.
3. Spend time together
We talk a lot at KICK about collaboration, complementing, and co-existing with partners. We must be agile in the way we work and adapt to different situations. But if you make sure you spend time with partners – using the know/like/trust principles – this becomes easier. Share something of yourself and your journey when you meet; enjoy common interests with one another; be honest and build trust.
Joe Lowther
KICK
KICK’s mission is to transform young people’s lives with God’s love, through sport and support.
4. Love each other
IIn many respects, successful partnerships are like successful marriages. You need honesty, time (amidst all the busyness of life), kindness, and an ability to resolve your differences……oh and try to love each other
Ed Walker
Hope into Action
Hope Into Action provides training to enable local churches to provide homes for the homeless and engage with and mentor those they support.
5. Keep reviewing
Know what your partner wants to achieve from the partnership, be clear about what you can contribute, keep communicating and reviewing and have a common vision. Taking time to check-in with your partners to make sure you are on track, is essential in the long run.
Samantha Graham
Clean Sheet
Clean Sheet helps local churches to offer a three-step pathway from prison to employment.
