Chaired by a cabinet member, a strategic partnership group has been established to enable cross-sector working across Bury in a sustainable way.

The group includes residents from age-friendly wards in Bury and focuses on how money is being spent, what difference it is making and developing connections to influence strategy.

The new approach has not been without its obstacles, with challenges arising in the form of influencing commissioners, demonstrating and selling social value and  measuring the difference as well as storytelling.

However, the benefits from the approach far outweigh the challenges, ensuring that learning is not only captured but that it positively influences future commissioning.