KingstonCompact

“Together, Kingston’s public bodies and the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise sector envision a borough where everyone can thrive in a fair, inclusive, and supportive community to improve the lives of all, particularly the most vulnerable” 
(Kingston Compact Vision)

Kingston Compact is a shared agreement between Kingston Council, the local NHS, and the VCSE sector to work better together. It has been co-developed to improve outcomes for local residents by supporting prevention, inclusion and community wellbeing through better collaboration between the partners.

Kingston Compact comes just after the Government launched a similar national document, Civil Society Covenant, in order to reset the relationship with the VCSE sector. Our local Compact is equally timely, as it comes amidst the restructuring of the NHS towards neighbourhood health services and the shift to closer collaboration between health, local authorities and the VCSE sector.


The Compact has four key outcomes:

  • Recognition & Respect
  • Effective Partnership Working
  • Participation and Engagement
  • Sustainability and Funding

 

On 3 December 2025, during the Kingston VCSE Forum at Kingston United Reformed Church, the Kingston Compact was officially launched and signed by:

  • Denise Madden, Deputy Executive Lead for Kingston and Richmond Places (SWL ICS)
  • Sarah Ireland, CEO of The Royal Borough of Kingston Council
  • Sanja Djeric Kane, CEO of Kingston Voluntary Action

 

signingcompact


This event marked a significant milestone for partnership working between Kingston Council, the NHS, and the VCSE sector.

Denise Madden said: "I am delighted to sign the Compact on behalf of the SWL Integrated Care Board (ICB), as the NHS recognise the importance of the VCSE sector in supporting our residents to live healthier lives.  We have well established partnership arrangements in Kingston, and the Compact provides us with the platform to further develop our ways of working, ensuring we are all working under the principles of the Compact and being good partners.

VCSE services will continue to be an integral part of how we deliver neighbourhood health and care as part of the NHS 10 Year Plan. The Compact will ensure that the VCSE are represented in the development of Neighbourhood Health Plans and considered in service design decisions."
 
Sanja Djeric Kane reflected: "Launching a Compact means a lot for KVA as Kingston's Local Infrastructure Organisation for the VCSE sector as it significantly contributes towards one of our strategic objectives which is about improving partnership working and cross-sector collaboration. But, also, being a VCSE organisation ourselves, we are looking forward to implementing the Compact with RBK and Health in order to strengthen our relationships; further improve mutual understanding and trust and create more opportunities for innovative ways of working together."
 

Through its successful implementation, the borough will benefit from the achievement of shared goals as set out in various local strategies; the sustainability of the VCSE sector so it remains a vibrant and valued partner; and the smart and effective use of limited resources to benefit Kingston residents, with a shift towards prevention and early intervention to address issues impacting all communities. Following the launch, all parties are committed to working collaboratively to meet these goals and new ways of working. Progress will be reported annually to the Kingston Partnership Board.

To read the signed Compact, please click the button below:

The Kingston Compact