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.

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.