Laura Hack, Partnership Manager for SAVO was delighted to be nominated for the Compact Champion of the Year Award for her work on developing the Compact in Suffolk by members of the Suffolk Steering Group.  Attending the ceremony held at Bafta on the 5^th November 2008 with representatives from the Compact in Suffolk Steering Group, Laura was stunned when told she had won in her category.  The ceremony was hosted by Sir Bert Massie CBE, Commissioner for the Compact, who presented the awards.

The Compact is the 10-year-old agreement which sets out shared commitments and guidelines for working between government and the voluntary and community sector and these awards recognise the excellent partnership working taking place at a local regional and national level. 

Organised by the Commission for the Compact in partnership with Compact Voice and the Office of the Third Sector, the five award categories include Compact Champion of the Year, Local Compact of the Year, the Regional and National Excellence Awards, and a Commissioner’s Award, given in recognition of exceptional achievement. 

Sir Bert Massie CBE, Commissioner for the Compact, said:

“The quality of entrants for this year’s awards was extremely high and the judging panel was very impressed with the level of commitment to the Compact.  All of our finalists demonstrate how the Compact can be a living document that influences action and encourages both sectors to work together to improve and enhance the services and support they offer to the public.

Laura won this award for her personal commitment and enthusiasm.  She has acted as the catalyst bringing local organisations together to agree on their reviewed Compact, organising a steering group made up of representatives from country and local third sector groups, public and local authorities.”

The awards ceremony forms part of Compact Week, which takes place from 1 to 8 November 2008. 

To find out more about the Compact in Suffolk, visit www.savo.co.uk