People First and The Well Communities have announced a joint scoping project to build on our strengths and achievements to enhance services for local people and communities. Both organisations are renowned across the region for the services they provide, the support they offer, the way they involve their communities and the lives they transform.
The scoping project will look at how the strengths, experience, expertise and common values of People First and The Well Communities might lead to joint projects and extended services in the future.
Local GP, Dr Andy Knox, the new Chair of The Well Communities, said:
“I have known and been involved with both these fantastic community focused organisations for many years. They touch so many people’s lives for the better and are rooted in the communities they serve. Key to both organisations’ achievements are the brilliant people who work in them, who live locally and have lived experiences they use to help others. I want to explore how we can pool our knowledge and expertise and look at new opportunities to extend and grow our work to support and involve local people.
Mark Pannone Chair of People First said:
“This is the start of a conversation between two highly regarded local organisations that share so many values and attributes and I am excited about the ideas that might emerge to further support people in our region.”
David Blacklock, People First’s Chief Executive has been appointed as Interim Chief Executive of The Well Communities alongside his current role.
David said: “This is an exciting opportunity to take the skills, experience and values of our two organisations and explore how we can support and involve more local people and communities. Although we work in different areas of support, the way we work, and our values have so much in common.
“We work in the same towns and neighbourhoods and the opportunity to compare notes, develop ideas and build on the achievements of the great people who work with us could create wonderful opportunities to serve and support more people.”
The scoping exercise will run through the winter and spring and involve staff, local people who use the services and partners in local authorities, charities and the NHS.
- People First is an independent rights based charity that stands shoulder to shoulder with people across the North of England to champion fairness and equality - a mother fighting to keep her son; a young person with learning difficulties training for work; a family who are experiencing issues accessing healthcare. We challenge the term 'vulnerable' by supporting people to understand their rights and to be heard when they need it most.
- The Well Communities is a Lived Experience Recovery Organisation (LERO) that supports people with a variety of problems such as a history of offending, addiction, mental health issues, homelessness, learning difficulties. For over a decade, has provided life-changing drug and alcohol abuse, treatment and training services – the kind that helps individuals and their families throughout the North West cope with their problems, heal themselves and move forward in a more positive direction.