Publication of the Cheshire and Merseyside REN Impact Report
VSNW is delighted to announce the publication of the Cheshire and Merseyside Research Engagement Network (REN) Impact Report. This report reflects eight months of collaborative work (August 2023 – March 2024), with contributions from stakeholders across the region. The effort was supported by Warren Escadale, CEO of VSNW, and Francesca McIntosh, VCFSE Research Coordinator at VSNW.
The REN programme, funded by NHS England, aims to enhance equity, diversity, and inclusion in health and care research by fostering collaboration between researchers, health and care providers, and voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise (VCFSE) organisations.
You can download the full report here.
Key Achievements
The report highlights:
Community Research Champions: A network of trained champions who facilitate inclusive research in underserved communities.
Engagement and Partnerships: Collaboration with over 124 organisations, including community groups, health and care providers, and local authorities.
Capacity-Building Resources: Tools such as the "Access to Research" infographic, which details the research infrastructure for VCFSE organisations, and the “Get to Know the Sector” video, explaining the structure of the VCFSE sector for researchers.
Training and Outreach: Initiatives that strengthen research capacity and promote inclusive practices.
Reflections and Future Directions
This foundational work has demonstrated the value of embedding VCFSE organisations in health and care research, increasing representation and collaboration. Looking to the future, VSNW is excited to be preparing for the launch of the BRIDGE Research Network (Bridging Research Initiatives for Diverse Grassroots Engagement). Set to pilot in February 2025, the portal aims to expand research diversity, build sustainable partnerships, and further address barriers to participation.
In his foreword to the report, Warren Escadale, CEO of VSNW, reflects:
“Amidst all this, if there is one big takeaway for me, it has been the development of the Cheshire and Merseyside Phoenix Way Network that includes a growing network of local organisations championing race equality in their communities. This network has been built; now we need to get the academics to it.”
Acknowledgements
The REN Impact Report is a testament to the dedication of many organisations and individuals, including Mary Seacole House, the Phoenix Way Network, and the Chinese Wellbeing Society. Their approaches have amplified community voices in health and care research, fostering inclusivity and equity.
For more information about the REN programme or to explore future collaboration opportunities, contact Francesca McIntosh at francesca.mcintosh@vsnw.org.uk.
UK Shared Prosperity Fund allocations announced for 2025/26
Network for Europe’s Andy Churchill breaks down the detail of the recently published guidance for the one year UK Shared Prosperity programme for 2025/26.
Last week the UK government has announced the allocations for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) for 2025/26. This funding aims to support activities from April 2025 to March 2026, including continuation of existing UKSPF activity where appropriate, with an intention on transitioning to a future funding framework.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) remains responsible for overseeing the fund, which will be distributed across all areas of the UK. Notably, the new allocations take relative deprivation into account, moving away from the previous population-based formulas, an approach which is more reminiscent of previous European funding calculations, which will be welcomed by many.
| Area | Allocation for 2025/26 |
Three-year funding (2022-2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Greater Manchester | £43.2m | £98.2m |
| Liverpool City Region | £25.6m | £52.7m |
| Lancashire | £21.7m | £62.2m |
| Cheshire & Warrington | £9.5m | £33.1m |
| Cumbria | £6.1m | £21.2m |
| North West | £106.3m | £267.5m |
| England | £570.8m | £1.5bn |
| Total UK | £902m | £2.6bn |
Key highlights:
Funding focus: The UKSPF will support initiatives under the same three main headings: Local People, Local Places, and Local Enterprise. Funded activity must align with the government’s five missions: Economic Growth, Clean Energy, Safe Streets, Removing Barriers to Opportunity, and Health.
Local decision-making: The approach for 25/26 funding is significantly more light-touch with a delegated delivery model designed to empower local decision making and the allocation of funds based on local needs without the requirement for revised investment plans for 2025/26.
Increased capital funding: There is a higher percentage of capital funding for each area in comparison with the previous UKSPF programme, with a large portion of this earmarked for “Local Growth Plans and local priority investments”.
Multiply: No national funding for Multiply meaning there is more funding available locally. Multiply is no longer a separate category but adult basic maths can be included within other strands.
Devolution and local authorities
VCFSE collaboration with Strategic and Combined Authorities will be essential for the successful delivery of UKSPF projects. The recently published English Devolution White Paper highlights the governments ambitions for shifting power into communities that will have a significant impact across the North West with opportunities for the VCFSE sector to be a part of devolution.
In the North West, Greater Manchester and Liverpool City Region, both with established Mayoral Combined Authorities, continue to benefit from the deepening devolution of funds and powers from Central Government. A Combined County Authority is being developed in Lancashire, with the first initial meeting in the new year, receiving an initial £20 million in devolution funding. Discussions are also ongoing in Cumbria and Cheshire and Warrington towards further devolution.
Employment reforms
The 25/26 UKSPF programme will need to link to the recent “Get Britain Working” White Paper in which the government outlined its plans to transform the Department for Welfare into a Department for Work. This includes merging Jobcentre Plus and Careers Service into a new jobs and skills service, focusing on people's skills and careers and mobilising Mayors to provide joined up services to support local need.
Greater Manchester and Liverpool City Region will receive funding for Trailblazers to set the blueprint for this new approach, with the latter focusing on delivering the Youth Guarantee, ensuring every young person has a chance to earn or learn.
Next steps
While the announcements and allocations appear positive, we strongly encourage our infrastructure organisations and partnerships to connect with their lead authority to advocate for the VCFSE sector’s role in UKSPF delivery. Lead authorities will be reviewing the recently released guidance to understand how this will shape delivery for next year so now is the time to ensure the sector is involved in planning for delivery.
VSNW will endeavour to support our infrastructure partnerships to advocate for the sector across the North West in developing UKSPF programmes (including its successor) that builds on the expertise and experience of the VCFSE.
You can also download this information here.
Network for Europe represents the VCFSE sector in the North West and has led the sectors engagement with European Union funding throughout the last few decades and engages with the third sector across Europe to share ideas and best practice. Andy has significant knowledge of VCFSE funding and has been instrumental in advocating for the important role of the VCFSE sector to the economy.
The importance of the VCFSE sector in health and devolution: A call for sustained national recognition
Warren Escadale, VSNW’s CEO
The voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector plays a crucial role in driving community-based innovation and addressing social challenges, yet it remains under-recognised at the national level. In this blog, our CEO, Warren Escadale, tells us how to achieve meaningful integration and systemic change, we must push for stronger acknowledgment and partnership across all levels of governance.
Lately, I've been reflecting on the national recognition of the VCFSE sector. While the sector’s influence has grown over the years, the lack of a prominent national profile concerns me.
This was highlighted to me recently when reading one of Michael Wood’s recent reports on prevention. Wood, who has long been a strong advocate for our sector, explored the impact on prevention of selecting interventions with the highest returns on investment. However, despite the top 20 interventions with the strongest returns being all community-based, mention of the role of the VCFSE was disappointingly thin.
A recent report on priorities for the new Government to strengthen Integrated Care Systems from the Health Devolution Commission also makes marginal references to the role of the sector. Despite the initial draft of the report including strong messages about the sector following feedback and involvement from myself, it feels like these messages have been somewhat diluted.
Indeed, in recent national reports such as the Get Britain Working white paper and the Darzi review on the state of the NHS, references to the VCFSE sector are vague, if there at all.
It’s as though our sector becomes a silent component of the "Local" conversation—visible only when convenient. This oversight worries me, as it risks outcomes that sideline the sector's integral contributions, clashing with the past decade of progress in regions like the North West, where the VCFSE sector has been redefining its role—moving beyond waiting passively on the sidelines to actively shaping the agenda.
Progress in the North West
Despite national gaps in recognition, there are signs of progress at regional levels. For example, in Cheshire and Merseyside, the VCFSE sector’s value has been acknowledged through its inclusion as a full partner member of the Integrated Care Board (ICB). This step forward exemplifies a shift toward integrating the sector more formally into health system leadership, with the North West being the first region to have full VCFSE partner membership on our ICBs.
Partnership work in delivering the Greater Manchester Accord, involving the VCFSE sector, NHS, and Combined Authority, reflects a mature model of distributed leadership. Our Q2 update, available here, underscores this model and the tangible outcomes it delivers.
The recent single settlement agreements for the West Midlands and Greater Manchester also marks a pivotal development. These deals hold promise for a more integrated approach that links health and economic strategies, addressing social determinants and reducing inequalities. This is an opportunity where the VCFSE sector’s role must be clear and pronounced.
Looking forward
As we move ahead, several policy milestones will shape the landscape:
“Get Britain Working” White Paper: Published at the end of November with £240m investment to reform employment support and tackle economic inactivity. This includes £125m for eight “Trailblazers” to develop joined-up health and skills support (the only area in the North West being Greater Manchester which will include additional funding for the ICS) alongside eight Youth Guarantee trailblazers with £45m funding led by Mayoral authorities to support young people who are not in education, training or employment (again only one area identified for the North West (Liverpool City Region)). How these pilots integrate VCFSE expertise will be pivotal for sustainable, community-centred outcomes.
Devolution White Paper: This will extend to almost all of England, with significant implications for the North West, including Cumbria, Lancashire, and Cheshire & Warrington. Ensuring that VCFSE input is embedded in these developments is paramount.
Spring Local Government settlement: This will further influence resource distribution and partnership models across sectors.
UK-Shared Prosperity Fund “extension”: This is vital to avoid a VCFSE sector cliff-edge, however inevitably all these pieces of work will likely converge as devolution deepens.
The challenge—and opportunity—lies in how the NHS engages in these dialogues and partnerships. The VCFSE sector must be seen as a key player, not a peripheral actor.
The path to cultural and systemic change
While regional recognition is a strength of our sector in the North West, broader cultural and systemic change requires national commitment. Currently, our progress in the North West offers a blueprint of what true devolution can achieve. This model shows that when local authorities, health services, and VCFSE entities collaborate as equal partners, communities thrive.
Still, this momentum needs national support to avoid “battling the tide” alone. The VCFSE sector—and alliances that represent it—should continue demonstrating leadership, not wait for others to dictate our relevance.
Conclusion
The VCFSE sector has the expertise, innovation, and resilience needed to shape meaningful change. Progress is being made, but it must be recognised and supported at the highest levels. For genuine integration and devolution to work effectively for communities, we need to push for systemic acknowledgment. We’ve proven we can lead—now, it’s time to ensure that recognition extends beyond local patches to a national stage. Waiting for others to act won’t do; we must be the drivers of this change.
Spotlight on Wirral Place
NHS Cheshire and Merseyside’s Wirral Place commissioning team was honoured as an Outstanding Commissioner, in the NHS category, at our VSNW Funding and Commissioning Awards 2024, for its groundbreaking work in transforming children’s mental health services in the area.
The award recognises Wirral Place’s innovative approach to commissioning, which prioritises collaboration, co-production, and long-term sustainability.
Simon Banks, NHS Cheshire and Merseyside’s Place Director (Wirral) with our CEO, Warren Escadale
Their efforts led to the creation of Branch, an online mental well-being hub for children and young people, supported by a £750,000 annual investment for at least seven years. The hub, designed with input from young people, represents a bold, forward-thinking model for delivering community mental health support at scale.
Our Funding & Commissioning Awards honour outstanding individuals and organisations driving excellence in funding and commissioning within the North West's voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector. Winners are nominated by the sector itself, celebrating their exceptional contributions.
Our panel noted:
Collaboration and co-production: The commissioning process brought together the NHS, Public Health, Wirral Council, and the VCFSE sector. Young people were involved at every stage, from service design to tender evaluation, ensuring the project reflected the community’s needs.
Equity and transparency: Branch uses an alliance model that ensures funding and decision-making are shared equitably among diverse providers, including national and local organisations like Action for Children, Kooth, Koala North West, and Open Door Charity.
Sustainability and flexibility: The seven-year contract provides stability while remaining agile enough to adapt to emerging needs. The alliance structure allows for pooled resources and innovative problem-solving, ensuring long-term impact.
“Wirral Place is a game-changer in commissioning. Their collaborative, inclusive approach has created a service that not only addresses immediate mental health challenges but also builds long-term resilience. Branch has set a new benchmark for what’s possible when partnerships are prioritised.”
The initiative’s community impact extends beyond immediate mental health services. The Open Door Charity’s £4.2 million ‘Joy’ development, part of Branch, aims to redefine how mental health care integrates into the community, transforming perceptions and accessibility on a national scale.
Wirral Place’s success exemplifies the power of ambitious, co-produced commissioning. The work demonstrates how pooling resources, engaging stakeholders, and embracing flexibility can lead to innovative solutions that serve communities more effectively.
“The pressures on children and young people have never been greater, and the NHS in Wirral have committed to embracing and scaling up what our sector can collectively achieve. We often rely on end of year underspend as a sector but here we can see commissioners embedding the sector with purpose and vision. Wirral Place are worthy winners of the 2024 Outstanding NHS Commissioner.”
“We’re really pleased to have received this recognition. It’s been a long road over the last two or three years to come together with this jointly funded and jointly commissioned piece of work, but we are hoping that, with the launch of Branch and the alliance, it’s going to make a real difference to the children in Wirral.”
Will Labour’s Plan for Change deliver for the North West?
Laura Tilston, Research and Policy Manager
Milestones, missions, foundations…will Labour’s Plan for Change drive change for communities in the North West? Laura Tilston, our Research and Policy Manager, shares her insights.
On the 5th day of Christmas the new Labour Government gave to me, six milestones, five missions, three foundations, and a landmark plan for change.
Well, that didn’t sound as good as it did in my head. But you get the idea.
There has been much talk on the run up to the launch of Labour’s big “Plan for Change”, particularly with the new Government’s rocky start to it’s first year in power. The prime minister is adamant that the plan is not a reset in response to some of the more unpopular policy decisions it has made over the last few months, insisting instead that the plan “doubles down” on the national missions.
The key milestones
Whilst intending the plan to be a clear message, particularly for Whitehall, there is understandable confusion as to how all these milestones, missions and foundations link together, and how they will be achieved.
The six milestones, or targets (if we want to introduce more terminology), announced last week are the key ambitions (oops another term) that will hold the Labour government accountable to the public during their first term in power. These are:
Raising living standards – Delivering higher household disposable income
Building 1.5 million homes in England
92% of patients in England waiting no longer than 18 weeks for elective treatment
13,000 additional police officers, PCSO’s and special constables
75% of five year olds in England ready to learn when they start school
Putting the UK on track to deliver at least 95% clean power by 2030
The Government is committed to having a long-term outlook and recognises the strengths of working “in partnership with business and civil society” with “a new way of doing government that is more joined up” and pushing “power out to communities”.
Whilst we clearly welcome this devolved partnership approach, there are questions as to how the VCFSE sector fits in with the plan, and how some of the recent controversial policy announcements align with these milestones.
While it is important that patients are not waiting longer than necessary for non-urgent medical care, it is unclear how this milestone fits in with the Government’s desired shift towards prevention. Will resources shift to the community if the milestone the Government want to be measured against is very much NHS provider focused?
Tackling inequality in living standards
A focus on living standards rather than just GDP is very much welcomed, but we need to be mindful that measures of increased household disposable income may not be representative. There is a risk that increase in average disposable income could just be reflective of the rising wealth gap, the rich becoming richer and the poor becoming poorer. And where do wellbeing and regional disparities fit into this picture? Recently published ONS statistics on life expectancy show that people living in the North West will live three years less than those living in the South East. We need much stronger ambitions to tackle poverty.
We also need to contemplate how increases to employers national insurance contributions will impact the milestones. The VCFSE sector is not exempt from these rises. The VS6 Partnership have calculated that there will be a minimum £17.7 million black hole in sector finances in Liverpool City Region which the sector will either have to absorb (which it can’t and shouldn’t be expected to do) or make redundancies and hand back contracts, with the most vulnerable in our communities ultimately paying the price if we lose valuable staff and services.
So, will the milestones be achievable? Are they the best measurements that reflect the needs of our communities across the North West? I was at an event the other week ran by the Health Creation Alliance with Lord Gus O'Donnell who, in a discussion around how we should be measuring the wellbeing of the nation, suggested that “politicians will only measure things that they can control”.
Prioritising communities and wellbeing
At Christmas, a time traditionally associated with community, generosity, and togetherness, it feels especially fitting to reflect on the importance of placing communities and wellbeing at the heart of decision-making.
We will have to wait and see whether these milestones make a big impact on kickstarting economic growth and reducing inequalities. Big targets like these often distract us from the bigger picture. It is vital for the government to prioritise communities and wellbeing, ensuring that no one is left behind amidst a blizzard of policies, plans, and milestones, something VSNW will continue to advocate for across the North West.
Spotlight on the Eric Wright Charitable Trust
The Eric Wright Charitable Trust has been recognised as the Outstanding Grant Funder 2024 at our VSNW Funding & Commissioning Awards, celebrating their transformative support for the VCFSE sector across the North West.
The VSNW Funding & Commissioning Awards honour outstanding individuals and organisations driving excellence in funding and commissioning within the North West's voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector. Winners are nominated by the sector itself, celebrating their exceptional contributions.
Alison Wright (middle) accepted an award on behalf of the Eric Wright Charitable Trust
Over the past six years, the trust has partnered with Macc to deliver five impactful grant programmes for small, grassroots groups and one for medium sized for groups operating in Greater Manchester.
This funding has enabled VCFSE groups to sustain essential work, such as supporting volunteering, promoting active communities, and, more recently, aiding efforts to mitigate the effects of the cost-of-living crisis.
“The Eric Wright Charitable Trust exemplifies what it means to be an outstanding grant funder. Their commitment to empowering grassroots and medium-sized organisations, their focus on tackling inequalities, and their ability to adapt to emerging challenges have made a profound difference to communities across Greater Manchester. We are honoured to celebrate their incredible impact.”
The trust stands out for its ability to value and elevate the expertise of the VCFSE sector. From the outset, they approached Macc, recognising the critical role of infrastructure organisations in connecting with local communities. Their funding model not only ensures inclusivity but actively supports organisations working with the most disadvantaged communities, helping to tackle societal inequalities and foster meaningful inclusion.
The trust has also been applauded for its transparency, responsiveness, and adherence to high governance standards, ensuring that grant programmes run efficiently and effectively. Beyond their main funding programmes, the trust has shown flexibility and compassion, providing rapid and generous support to organisations facing unexpected challenges.
“Alison Wright, Trustee for The Eric Wright Charitable Trust, said: “We are exceptionally proud of the funding and support we provide to the voluntary sector in the North West, through our CVS partnerships, and recognise the importance of providing funding to this sector. This award is testament to the team’s work and the strong relationships they have built across the region.”
Through their partnership with Macc and their strategic focus, the Eric Wright Charitable Trust has become a vital force for good in the North West. Their recognition as Outstanding Grant Funder 2024 highlights their enduring commitment to strengthening communities and creating lasting opportunities for growth and inclusion.
To find out more about the trust’s work visit: The Eric Wright Charitable Trust - Eric Wright Group
Impact Review 2024: A landmark year for VSNW
We are proud to unveil our Impact Review 2024, which spotlights a year of remarkable achievements and transformative progress for the voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector in the North West. The report details how we have worked to strengthen the sector’s voice, foster community resilience, and position the VCFSE sector as a critical player in regional growth and policy development.
Key highlights:
Strengthened policy advocacy:
The establishment of a dedicated Policy and Influencing Team has enabled VSNW to amplify the sector's voice in critical policy areas.Economic contributions:
The VCFSE sector contributed an impressive £896.5 million in gross value added (GVA) to the Cheshire and Merseyside economy alone, highlighting its pivotal role in regional development.£18.4M in sector investment:
VSNW's advocacy efforts secured significant funding for the sector, supporting initiatives in health, skills development, and poverty alleviation.Health and Social Care integration:
The North West became the first UK region to achieve full VCFSE sector representation on NHS Integrated Care Boards, advancing efforts in prevention, early intervention, and tackling health inequalities.Championing fair funding:
The creation of a regional Fair Funding Protocol is set to promote sustainable and equitable funding practices for the VCFSE sector, addressing long-standing challenges in commissioning and procurement.Sector-wide engagement:
Over the past year, VSNW facilitated 128 events, connecting 700 VCFSE leaders and fostering collaboration across the region.
Responding to challenges and opportunities
The Impact Review 2024 also reflects on the challenges faced by the sector, including the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and uncertainty surrounding the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. In response, we have doubled down on efforts to influence devolution discussions, advocate for preventative approaches, and highlight the sector’s role in tackling inequalities.
“Our Impact Review 2024 is a testament to the resilience and innovation of the VCFSE sector in the North West,” said Warren Escadale, CEO of VSNW. “Despite significant challenges, the sector has demonstrated its critical role in building strong, healthy communities and driving economic growth.”
Looking ahead
The Impact Review 2024 sets the stage for the year ahead with eight strategic impacts, including the development of a Centre of Excellence for Health Creation, advancing VCFSE-academic collaborations, and rebuilding pipelines for skills and employment.
We are also calling for greater collaboration between public, private, and voluntary sectors to unlock the full potential of the VCFSE sector.
Ambitious Social Value roadmap launched for Cheshire and Merseyside
A groundbreaking roadmap has been launched in Cheshire and Merseyside to transform the region into a thriving Social Value Economy.
This ambitious initiative aims to maximise the social, economic, and environmental benefits delivered by organisations across the region, in particular how social value can be realised through more systematic working with the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector.
The roadmap was collaboratively commissioned by Voluntary Sector North West and NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, and developed by Social Value Portal, an organisation dedicated to enhancing social, economic, and environmental wellbeing. This collaborative approach ensures that the report is closely aligned with regional priorities, such as addressing health inequalities and strengthening community resilience, making it a powerful tool for driving strategic and integrated working to achieve impactful social value outcomes across Cheshire and Merseyside.
Power yet to be utilised
At the heart of the Social Value Economy concept is the belief that every organisation—whether public, private, or within the VCFSE sector—should contribute to creating additional benefits for people, places, and the planet. To understand the challenges and opportunities, over 20 cross-sector system leaders were interviewed. The consultations revealed the transformative potential of Social Value is not yet fully realised in Cheshire and Merseyside. A critical gap identified is the underutilisation of the vast potential offered by the VCFSE sector in driving Social Value outcomes.
“This roadmap is a significant step towards embedding Social Value at the heart of our region’s economy. By leveraging the strengths of our VCFSE sector and fostering cross-sector collaboration, we can create a more equitable and sustainable future for all residents of Cheshire and Merseyside.”
Partner VCFSE
To address this, the roadmap introduces the "Partner VCFSE" commitment—a strategic call to action for all organisations in the region to deepen their collaboration with the VCFSE sector by 2025 as a catalyst to moving towards a social value economy. Organisations making this commitment pledge to baseline their current engagement with the VCFSE sector, identify key opportunities to enhance collaboration, and set ambitious year-on-year targets to increase their support.
For the public sector, this may involve directing more of their supply chain spending towards VCFSE organisations or fostering cross-sector partnerships that leverage the unique strengths of the VCFSE sector in addressing local challenges. Private companies are encouraged to engage more deeply with the VCFSE sector through initiatives like resource donations, volunteer programs, and integrating VCFSEs into their business operations.
Stay accountable
Accountability is a core aspect of this commitment. Organisations are urged to measure their progress using specific indicators from the Cheshire and Merseyside Social Value TOMs framework and embed these within their social value strategies and measurement. This approach ensures that the commitment leads to real-world impacts, driving investment and resources into the VCFSE sector, which in turn strengthens its capacity to deliver vital services and support to the community.
“ This report is a groundbreaking piece of work that came about through co-production. For our ICB/ICS to be truly successful, we need to work with all our partners to understand the needs and requirements and then work together to find a solution. The VCFSE sector is an integral part of this and I’m delighted that we’ve been able to develop this work, with colleagues, that puts social value at the heart of all that we do.”
Winners of the VSNW Funding and Commissioning Awards announced
The winners of the first ever our first ever Funding & Commissioning Awards have been announced.
We are proud to announce the winners of the VSNW Funding & Commissioning Awards 2024, which took place on Thursday 14 November, at our annual conference and AGM, in a celebration of outstanding achievements in supporting the voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector across the North West.
This year’s awards marked the first-ever VSNW event of its kind, created to recognise the dedication and innovation of grant funders and commissioners whose work has transformed communities and driven positive social change.
The winners of the VSNW Funding & Commissioning Awards 2024 are:
Outstanding Grant Funder 2024: Eric Wright Charitable Trust
Recognised for their impactful and sustained funding that empowers VCFSE organisations and supports long-term community resilience and growth.Outstanding Commissioner - Local Authority: Manchester City Council’s Our Manchester Funds Team
Honoured for their collaborative approach, respect for community expertise, and commitment to inclusion, which has strengthened and uplifted the VCFSE sector in Manchester.Outstanding Commissioner - Local Authority: Wirral Borough Council’s Public Health Team
Celebrated for their partnerships with local organisations to address health inequalities and their innovative and adaptable public health solutions.Outstanding Commissioner - NHS: Wirral Place
Acknowledged for integrating health and community services, prioritising VCFSE involvement, and demonstrating transparency and commitment to health equity.
Alison Wright (middle) accepted an award on behalf of the Eric Wright Charitable Trust
All winners were nominated by the VCFSE sector, showcasing the trust and recognition they have earned within the community. The Outstanding Commissioner - Local Authority category was particularly popular, leading to the recognition of two winners: Manchester City Council’s Our Manchester Funds Team and Wirral Borough Council’s Public Health Team. This reflects the exceptional quality and impact of the nominees and the high level of competition within this category.
Warren Escadale, CEO at VSNW, said: “We are delighted by the response to our first awards and inspired by the dedication of the nominees. Each individual and team showcased a deep commitment to building resilient, vibrant communities across the North West. These awards are a testament to the exceptional work being done and a celebration of the innovation and partnership that drives our region forward.”
The event also highlighted VSNW’s ongoing mission to learn from these best practices. Moving forward, VSNW plans to develop a Commissioning Panel aimed at enhancing commissioning processes to better support the VCFSE sector. Attendees were invited to register their interest in joining this initiative to shape future improvements.