The Network of Networks

As part of the work in our Strengthening Sector Workstream, we have been facilitating and supporting a number of issue-based networks of the voluntary sector groups and organisations in Milton Keynes.

As we know, the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector in Milton Keynes is vibrant and varied, and supports people across a range of communities with an array of issues. Here at Community Action: MK we are supporting groups within the sector to come together around common themes and issues so they can more easily work together, share intelligence and good practice, collaborate on projects and communicate more effectively with decision makers and service providers to ensure the needs of the people they support are being met.

We call this work, ‘The Network of Networks’.

Click here to see a draft diagram that illustrates many of the networks that exist, are forming or will be formed around key topics.

As you can see above, the Networks of Networks feeds into the Voluntary Sector Alliance – the Strategic Voice of the MK Networks of Networks in Milton Keynes. The Voluntary Sector Alliance will feed into the new Integrated Care System (ICS) so that the lived experience of residents across Milton Keynes, particularly those within marginalised groups, is captured and communicated in order to have influence. Close working relationships are being developed between the local VCSE and the Bedford, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care System (BLMK ICS).

We are in the process of ensuring that the Voluntary Sector Alliance has a broad range of representation from across the networks and we will keep you updated on our progress. A dedicated website is also being designed for the Alliance and the link will be placed here soon.

See the Draft Terms of Reference for the VCSE Alliance here

To find out more in the meantime or get involved, please email us at networks@communityactionmk.org.

You can also find out about our work in developing The Network of Networks and facilitating or supporting some of the key VCSE networks in MK – in our latest Annual Review 2021-22, which you can access on: https://bit.ly/CAMKAnnualReview21-22 (see pages: 17-23 to see the updates on our work within the Strengthening The Sector work).