10 Jun The importance of networking

Last week I was invited to join a webinar bringing together Macmillan professionals, OPAAL staff and the delivery partners of the COPA project. My presentation was about Networking and its importance to starting up any new project/service. I outlined how, during the pilot phase,  I had contacted other Macmillan projects in my area particularly the Macmillan Involvement Co-ordinator and Macmillan Development Manager for my Region.

Yesterday the new Volunteer Co-ordinator, for Central Staffordshire locality, and I attended a Volunteers Event organised by VAST (Voluntary Action Staffordshire) at a local Fire Station on the outskirts of Stafford. The event was not well attended by the public and I had to remind myself that this was a networking opportunity with some of the organisations local to Stafford and surrounds. And a good job too!

We are currently looking for a base in the Stafford area for the Volunteer Co-ordinator to be sited and whilst networking with other stand holders we discussed 2 possibilities – the fire station

or sharing  with a voluntary organisation concerned with supporting homeless people with food, meals, toiletries, blankets

What a difficult choice!

On a serious note though, finding office accommodation in an unknown area is daunting. However through networking a solution will be found and partnerships can be formed. So

Please don’t forget “the importance of networking”

Kath Curley, Staffordshire Cancer Advocacy Project Lead 

Source: OPAAL