A new agreement has been created for Milton Keynes to strengthen partnership working between the public sector and the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector, called the Civil Society Covenant.
The Milton Keynes Covenant sets out a shared commitment to work together more effectively to support residents and address some of the long-term challenges facing local communities. It has been jointly developed by Milton Keynes City Council, local National Health Service partners including Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board, Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust and Milton Keynes University Hospital, alongside representatives from the voluntary sector.
With more than 1,200 voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations in the city, including charities, community groups, faith organisations, social enterprises and local infrastructure bodies, the sector plays an essential role in improving wellbeing, reducing loneliness and social isolation, and helping communities to grow and thrive.
The agreement recognises the independence of voluntary organisations and their role as both delivery partners and trusted voices within communities. It commits public sector partners to valuing that expertise and working with organisations as equal partners, at the first stage of discussions and decision making.
At its core are four guiding principles: partnership, recognition, transparency and participation. These principles set out a shared commitment to work openly, to be clear about funding and challenges, to remove barriers for smaller organisations where possible, and to ensure that residents and communities are properly heard.
The Covenant also outlines a practical approach to joint working. When a shared priority is identified, partners will come together to understand the issue, develop solutions collaboratively, agree a clear plan for action and review progress. The model will initially focus on preventative, community-based support, including areas such as falls prevention, mental health and reducing social isolation.
By setting out clear expectations on both sides, the Covenant aims to strengthen relationships, encourage earlier dialogue and support more joined-up services for people across Milton Keynes.
What the Covenant has achieved so far
One of the first areas where the Covenant has been put into practice is falls prevention.
Through the Voluntary Sector Alliance, Community Action: MK brought together voluntary organisations and public sector partners for a cross-sector workshop focused on preventing falls among residents. The session created space to share insight into community needs, highlight existing local activity and identify practical ways to strengthen prevention and post-falls support.
Discussions centred on early prevention through social connection and tailored interventions; improving public awareness and integrated services; and strengthening recovery and community-based support following a fall.
The workshop increased awareness among statutory partners of the breadth of VCSE activity already supporting residents and helped clarify opportunities for closer collaboration. As a direct result, Milton Keynes City Council has allocated funding, which will be disseminated by Community Action: MK, to support local voluntary and community-led falls prevention activity via grants for collaborative VCSE projects
Building on this approach, a further themed workshop will take place on 19 March 2026 at the Old Bath House Community Centre in Wolverton. The session will focus on improving joined-up support for neurodivergent people, including people with Autism, bringing together VCSE organisations, Milton Keynes City Council and other key service providers to explore practical, collaborative solutions.
The Covenant will be reviewed annually, with a formal review planned in 2026. Over the coming year it will continue to be shared widely to ensure that voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations are aware of the opportunities it provides.
For more information about the Covenant, please contact Grace Adeyinka at Community Action: MK at grace@communityactionmk.org.
