Voluntary and community organisations have a vital role in society as the nation's 'third sector', working alongside both national and local government and the private sector. The contribution of voluntary and community organisations to civil life is immense, invaluable and irreplaceable, through the engagement of volunteers, the services they provide and the support they give to individuals and groups.

Voluntary and community organisations and the public sector bodies in Dorset share a fundamental aim to serve and represent the interests of local people and communities.

The aims of the Compact are to:

Build on the existing relationships and good practice between the public sector and the voluntary and community sectors

Strive to maintain and improve the quality of life for individuals and communities in Dorset

Base our relationship on trust, openness, fairness and consistency.

These documents set out:

The shared principles of the Partnership Agreement

Our joint commitments to action that will underpin our relationship

Guides to good practice

The Partnership Agreement builds upon this to demonstrate a commitment to the holistic community planning approach, with local community planning partnerships through to the county-wide Dorset Local Strategic Partnership. The Compact and its codes will be reviewed annually.

The Dorset Compact Group is now being updated. A revised compact will be available here from February 2010.

• Partnership

  The Partnership Agreement builds upon this to demonstrate a commitment to the holistic community planning approach, with local community planning partnerships through to the county-wide Dorset Local Strategic Partnership.

• The Code of Good Practice on Consultation

  The Dorset Compact Group is now working on a range of supporting codes of good practice.

• The Code of Good Practice on Funding

  Voluntary and Public Services working together for Dorset

• The Code of Good Practice on Volunteering

  The code builds upon and underpins the principles of the Dorset Compact. It aims to make a positive impact on the working relations between voluntary organisations, community groups and public bodies operating in the county of Dorset.

• Third Sector Development Officer
  Name: Becky Forrester
  Email: r.forrester@dorsetcc.gov.uk
  Tel: 01305 224821
  Fax: 01305 224886
  Mobile: 07792 642023
  Full details for Becky Forrester