Some random thoughts on what makes PARTNERSHIP...

P - People. Partnerships are about people - connecting with other people (no matter who they are representing in an official capacity) for the benefit of even more people!

A - Action. Partnerships should lead to action. It is so easy for partnerships to become a talking shop or we meet for the sake of meeting. Strategic partnerships should ideally have action and outcomes and we need to be accountable to one another to fulfill those actions.

R - Renewal. Partnerships should bring renewal. Renewal for those involved and renewal for those the partnerships seek to serve and reach.

T - Table. Partnerships are essentially an invitation to the table - and a table with food adds a special dynamic. Jesus carried out a lot of his ministry at tables around food (and not always with the type of people we would expect!). Basing partnershi[p around tables and especially tables with food is good! Sometimes there is a need to build a bigger table.

N - Network. Partnerships should be strategical and a dynamic, life giving, life changing network (network: 'a group of interconnected people').

E - Edify. Partnerships should be about building one another up. We are not in competition with one another - encourage one another and celebrate one another.

R - Refresh. Partnerships should bring a refreshing. They should equip us to carry on doing what we are doing and to do what we do better. Partnerships should be refreshing and energy giving, they should be a place to help and support those who are weak. If a partnership has become stale and hard work then maybe it is time for a re-look.

S - Sharing. Share about one another. Share news and stories, Share social media posts. Share problems and share potential.

H - Hope. Where there is unity there is a blessing. Partnerships should be about becoming and being hope for others and the communities we serve. Partnerships should be a model of hope.

I - Investment. Partnerships are an investment. An investment of time, money, energy, resources. We shouldn't do partnership for what we can get out of it but what we can invest into it and into each other.

P - Presence. Partnership is about presence. The University of Chester carried out an evaluation of our Birkenhead Street Angels titled 'The Power of Presence'. By showing up there is power in your presence. What you bring is unique and good partnerships ensure that all at the table have an equal voice.

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