Partnership is best in Europe

Gerd Lees, the mayor of Maastricht (left) presents the award to Dave Catherall, principal partnership officer (centre) and John Eley, Oldham’s assistant executive director of partnerships

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Oldham Partnership has been judged the best in Europe, from 81 organisations.

Made up of public, private, voluntary, community and faith sectors and chaired by Nick Brown, the principal of Oldham Sixth- Form College, the Partnership has taken the European Public Sector Award (EPSA) in the New Forms of Partnership Working category.

In total, 300 applications were received from across Europe for the awards, which highlight innovation and good practice in the public sector so that others can learn and benefit.

After a rigorous judging process, including a site visit in June, five organisations were shortlisted in each category.

This week two members of the partnership’s support team travelled to the Netherlands for the EPSA conference and ceremony and were “delighted and pleased” that Oldham had won, said Karen McCrackle, the Partnership’s marketing and communications officer.

John Eley, assistant executive director of partnerships, and Dave Catherall, principal partnership officer, received the award.

The Oldham Partnership has a vision to make Oldham a place where everyone is proud to belong. This will be achieved through the various groups in Oldham working together to achieve more than they could individually.

John Eley describes partnership in Oldham and what the win means to his team on the video (top right), courtesy of EUX TV.

Click here for more news from EUX TV, including an interview with Dave Catherall