Whilst the Covid Crisis has receded, the cost-of-living crisis continues to stretch our sector’s resources. In our 2023 Conference and AGM, we will look at ways out of this situation and how we can embed a just economic model in our communities. The UK Shared Prosperity Fund will finish in less than two years, what happens after that? What will be the social, economic and investment plans of the next government? As we look towards tomorrow, we invite you to consider all of this and to explore how we influence and what we campaign for ahead of the next general election.

At this event we will be discussing the role of the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector within community regeneration through the lens of a Labour Government. We will be exploring questions and ideas such as what is true community regeneration, what policies are needed to achieve community regeneration and how we can address the social determinants of health through community transformation.

Our communities are facing a cycle of crisis. From Covid-19 to the cost of living, to climate change. How can we ensure the VCSE sector weathers the storm, helping navigate and support communities when they need it most? 

The conference is free to attend, and is aimed at VCSE leaders that are members, associates or partners of VSNW.  Due to a limited number of spaces, we would appreciate no more than two delegate bookings per organisation.

This online networking event will explore what “Levelling Up” means for the sector, look at the changing NHS landscape and the benefits of being an NCVO member.

Those of us who responsibility for recruitment carry a huge load. There are a myriad of regulations, most of which we are aware of. But, sometimes, we look at the regulations and overlook the "holistic helicopter". We know what we are doing; we know why we are doing it; we may even know how we are doing it. Joining all three elements and also having a bias free process is a real challenge.

Following the success of the 2020 Festival of North West Thinking we now move forward to the 2021 VSNW Festival of North West Thinking (including VSNW’S AGM). We are happy to announce this will take place in-person, on Tuesday 9th November 10am-4pm at the Gujarat Hindu Society and Community Centre in Preston, Lancashire. Refreshments will be provided throughout the day.

VSNW have secured a spot as part of the Fringe Listings for the Conference, and want to use this opportunity to champion the role of the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector in the North West and to challenge the Conservative Party and it’s members to better work with the VCSE sector to positively shape the future of the North West.

Following the success of our first event in May, VSNW’s second event in our ‘VCSE North West Networking Series’ will explore the upcoming fundamental changes to how the health and care system works locally. 

In February 2021, the Department of Health and Social Care launched a white paper presenting the new proposals to reform the NHS and social care, and implement the NHS Long Term Plan. The focus is on greater integration and to improve care. As part of this a key aim is to tackle health inequalities. The white paper can be found here.

However: What does this mean for the VCSE sector? What are the challenges and what are the opportunities? 

We have been in discussion with Health and Social Care partners working in Cheshire and Merseyside who would like to help develop a draft Carers Strategy and have set aside some funds to support a part time secondment. 

We would like to invite Carer Support Organisations to a kickstart discussion to think about the above and this role. The discussion will take place on 26th July 12-2pm.

Over the last 6 months, the VCFSE sector across Lancashire have been creating a collectively devised vision for the sector, looking ahead over the next 3 years. The LOCAL team has collated all the feedback from events and the online comment forum to create a draft VCFSE manifesto.

This is an amazing opportunity for the sector in Lancashire, to play their part in a large voice which collectively represents the needs and desires of our communities, and siphons this content into pragmatic solutions moving forward.

As we exit the pandemic all reports suggest that the employment rate will improve. Whether this is a gradual improvement or a sudden spike remains to be seen. However, it is recognised that it will be some time before employment gets back to where it was in pre-pandemic days. This will affect many households and some who already have difficulties in accessing employment.

One such group is those who have served a custodial sentence. Without a job, the risk of reoffending is higher than would otherwise be the case. This hour long seminar, organised by VSNW, will hear from businesses who have a positive process to recruit from prison and also from a community development worker who works full time with ex-offenders with the aim of gaining them employment.

VSNW are pleased to commence our VCSE North West Networking Meeting Series with the theme of 'workplace wellbeing'.

Each event in the series will invite two speakers to briefly discuss the chosen topic and pose some discussion points, before attendees enter breakout rooms. This will give organisations an opportunity to network, to share best practices, and discuss issues and solutions. 

VSNW invites Metro Mayors Andy Burnham and Steve Rotheram to expand on their vision for our sector's involvement in Building Back Better.

In this third event in VSNW’s Festival of North West Thinking we plan to combine our AGM with a look forward at the future of the sector.

VSNW are pleased to present the second event in our Festival of North West Thinking 2020 (FoNWT), Covid-19 Recovery: The Infrastructure Perspective. The event will bring infrastructure organisations together to discuss how the sector should approach Covid-19 Recovery. The event will take place online from 2:00pm to 3:30pm on Wednesday 28th October.

VSNW are pleased to present the opening event in our Festival of North West Thinking 2020 (FoNWT), Covid-19 Recovery: VCSE Leadership Voices Assembly. The event will deal with COVID-19 Recovery with a focus on Inequalities. The event will take place online from 10am to 12pm on Friday 23rd October.

Voluntary Sector North West would like to invite you to participate in the North West launch of the Third Sector Trends Report.

Earlier this year the GM VCSE Leadership Group and the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership commissioned a partnership of Bolton CVS, Mind in Greater Manchester, GMCVO and VSNW to ensure that the voluntary community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector plays a comprehensive role in commissioning both at a local and Greater Manchester level.

We are delighted to invite VSNW Members and Associates to our Annual General Meeting and Dinner. As well as a three-course meal, you will enjoy a Networking Bingo session to meet your fellow guests; you will hear from VSNW's Chair and Chief Executive with a review of the past year and future plans for the organisation; and finally, we will end the evening with a fun and informative quiz on the VCSE sector in the North West.

This event will be of interest to:

• HR teams, Directors / Deputy Directors of nursing, heads of social care and those with a responsibility for staff health and wellbeing and staff side colleagues,

• Carer Support Organisations across Cheshire and Merseyside.

Greater Manchester Poverty Action (GMPA) will be running their understanding poverty measurement, data and definitions course again on June 5. 

The Creating Active Communities Conference 2019 will take an in-depth look into the UK's local delivery challenge. Our speakers will reveal the uncomfortable truths which lead to a sedentary lifestyle whilst highlighting successful projects that are working to increasing activity for all across our towns and cities.

Our first Manchester event is a showcase of northern digital charity talent and an opportunity to access and understand the latest thinking and practice for charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises.

The Summit will be culmination of consultation in the run up to and following the inaugural Green Summit in March 2018 - this event will set out an environmental vision to achieve a carbon neutrality date and launch the pathway for the next five years and beyond.

Are you interested in person and community centred approaches to health and care? Do you want to explore what good support might look like for the people of GM? Are you interested in how we can create true impact?

Greater Manchester Poverty Action (GMPA) will be running their understanding poverty measurement, data and definitions course again on March 7. 

Join GMFPA as we launch the Food Poverty Action Plan for Greater Manchester, and find out the role that you can play in making this vision a reality.