Merton's Partnership Working Wins National Award

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Another award is recognition of local work

Merton celebrated the enduring success of its Compact, winning a national award for the 10th year running. 

Merton Compact's Lola Barret, Chief Executive of South Wimbledon-based Grenfall Housing and Training, was presented the first ever Chris Frost Award at a special event held at Westminster Boating Base.

Hosted by chair of Compact Voice, Simon Blake, the event was attended by more than 100 guests including Rob Wilson MP, Minister for Civil Society, Leader of Merton Council, Councillor Stephen Alambritis, Cabinet member for community safety, equalities and engagement, Councillor Edith Macauley and Merton Chief Executive, Ged Curran.

Lola, who is Chief Executive of Grenfell Housing and Training and chair of both Merton Voluntary Service Council and Merton Unity Network, was recognised as a driving force in Merton's voluntary sector for the past decade.

The Merton Compact is a partnership of local public organisations and the voluntary sector that work together for the benefit of the community.

Leader of Merton Council, Councillor Stephen Alambritis, said: "Congratulations to Lola on being the first ever recipient of the Chris Frost award at the National Compact Awards.

"Merton is proud to be a borough that encourages partnership working between voluntary and local organisations. Through 10 years of strong relationships we have seen improved communication with the voluntary sector, improvement to the way the council allocates funding to stakeholders and used our partnership to collectively bid for funding that organisations couldn't have accessed alone. I look forward to many more years working together to provide better services for our residents."

Interim Chief Executive of MVSC, Ian Beever, said: "Merton winning another Compact Award is a reflection of the enduring positive track record of collaborative work in the borough. All sectors really do work well together to meet the needs of borough residents.

"Our chair, Lola Barrett winning the Christ Frost Award had special meaning and resonance. The award was for her ongoing commitment and outstanding contribution to strengthening, supporting and improving partnership working between the statutory and voluntary sectors."

Merton-based organisations and people were also shortlisted in four categories at the 2014 National Compact Awards:

• Compact Advancing Equality category – Merton Community Health Champions
• Compact Leadership category – Lola Barrett
• Compact Engagement category – Transforming Families in Merton
• Compact Impact category – Merton Adult Education and St Mark’s Family Centre community learning.

November 11, 2014