Teresa Cunningham Communications Manager Altogether Better West Cheshire

The challenge Multi-agency Whitehall secondees New people New teams Huge task Unchartered territory Business cases by October 2011 Hit the ground running Recognised early on communication would be key Appoint a communications manager – THE GLUE TO HOLD IT ALL TOGETHER

Branding Give it a name – Altogether Better Create a strong vibrant brand – visibility Multi-agency – no logos Branded toolkit for all agencies to use

Communications starts with people New people – what did we do? Multi- agency engagement events Photos A shared work area Internal sharepoint Team meetings Themes and teams Link with coms colleagues in all orgs – create a network – share the load Links with coms colleagues in other pilot areas – share info and experiences Socialise!

Our messages Internal communications Staff Partners Stakeholders Members External communications Whitehall Media – trade and national KEEP EVERYONE INFORMED – REGULARLY Map stakeholders Staff are key – unified coms means single voice for messages Promote the programme Keep informed - regular communications – even if there’s not much to say Internal – staff in the project teams all staff in the wider organisations Whitehall Members LGA External communications Media – trade and national Other public / private

Channels Website Social media Newsletters Publications Articles Event and conferences Presentation Speeches Multi- channel Dedicated channels Use existing channels Overarching coms strategy Develop individual coms plans as projects develop You need at least one great scribe – preferably more

Learning points Keep communications at the centre Support from the top Keep communicating Share your story Everyone has a role to play No finish line – the messages will change Investing in good coms from the outset will mean your project will have a much better chance of success. Keep your coms person / people informed. Support from the top for coms – all partners – no room for egos! Keep moving – the messages and audiences will change as the project evolves Communications is everyone’s business – not just the coms person.