New Volunteering Hub for Cheshire and Warrington
A new website has been launched to support volunteering in Cheshire and Warrington, giving people easy access to a wide range of opportunities across the area, whilst providing a shared space for volunteer-involving organisations.
Cheshire West Voluntary Action (CWVA), Community & Voluntary Services (CVS) Cheshire East and Warrington Voluntary Action (VA) came together to launch the platform, as part of the Cheshire and Merseyside VCFSE Health and Care Transformation Programme, led by VSNW and coordinated through the Cheshire and Warrington Infrastructure Network (CWIP).
Now people in Cheshire and Warrington have a central place to start their volunteering search, showcasing almost 250 different opportunities in the region. It makes it easier for people to connect with causes that match their experiences and interests, contributing to their wellbeing, skill development and sense of community.
Alison Cullen, who co-ordinated the volunteering hub on behalf of CWIP, said: "The Cheshire and Warrington volunteer platform gives people more choice to quality volunteer opportunities across the area and is the start of a coordinated approach to volunteering. Bringing the three CVSs together will further encourage, develop and promote good practice in volunteering. It shows our shared vision that truly values volunteering and the benefits volunteering brings to people in all aspects of life.”
CWVA, CVS Cheshire East and Warrington VA continue to support community organisations in their local areas with accessing and advertising their volunteering opportunities on the volunteering hub.
The platform works in a similar way to the existing Liverpool City Region volunteering hub, which you can find here.
You can find out more about the organisations involved and the Cheshire and Merseyside VCFSE Health and Care Transformation Programme, from the following websites: · CWVA website · CVS Cheshire East website · Warrington VA website · CWIP · VSNW (including C&M VCFSE Health and Care Transformation Programme)
Supporting mental health and wellbeing with Kind to Your Mind
At VSNW, we are proud to support the launch of Kind to Your Mind, a new website designed to be the primary gateway to mental health and wellbeing resources across Cheshire and Merseyside.
Developed by Champs Public Health Collaborative in partnership with the NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, this platform provides an essential one-stop shop for individuals seeking advice, support, and resources to improve their mental wellbeing.
What is Kind to Your Mind?
The Kind to Your Mind website is a dedicated resource aimed at supporting the 2.7 million residents of Cheshire and Merseyside with their mental health and wellbeing. It offers a wide range of services, tools, and information, including:
Mental health support services tailored to individual needs.
Practical advice and self-help tools to manage stress, anxiety, and low mood.
Apps and online courses that provide guidance on mental wellbeing.
A personalised support plan to help individuals find the most relevant resources based on how they are feeling.
Mental health and wellbeing are critical aspects of overall health, and ensuring that everyone in our communities has access to the right support is more important than ever.
For any questions, feedback, or additional support opportunities, you can reach out to the Champs Support Team at champscommunication@wirral.gov.uk.
Welcoming Cathy Elliott as NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Chief Executive
We welcome the news that Cathy Elliott, a committed champion for the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector’s role in tackling health inequalities, has been appointed as Chief Executive of NHS Cheshire and Merseyside. Her leadership will be key to securing better health and wellbeing for communities in Cheshire and Merseyside with a focus on neighbourhood care and partnership working.
She will be taking over from Graham Urwin, who will be retiring after 36 years of service within the NHS from the end of June. Graham has been a strong advocate for partnership working between the NHS and the VCFSE sector, recognising the vital role that community organisations play in supporting health and well-being.
Stepping into this role in the spring, Cathy will bring a wealth of expertise. With executive level experience across a number different sectors, including the VCFSE sector, we are looking forward to strengthening partnerships and continuing to drive positive change under her leadership.
Cathy was previously a member of the VS6 Partnership in Liverpool City Region during her role as Chief Executive of Community Foundation for Merseyside, and we are sure that with her experience she will continue to champion and advocate for collaboration between the NHS and the VCFSE sector for community-led approaches to health and well-being.
Warren Escadale, CEO at VSNW and partner member of the Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board, said: “We wish Graham a happy retirement and thank him for his commitment to the VCFSE sector. His leadership and dedication to partnership working have strengthened its role within health and care systems, ensuring the sector has a seat at the table.
“We would also like to congratulate Cathy on her new role. I am confident she will build on the existing work with the sector, and I look forward to working together to support communities across Cheshire and Merseyside.”
VSNW works alongside C&M Health and Care Leaders Group, VS6, and CWIP to support the vital role of the VCFSE sector in Cheshire and Merseyside.
You can read more about the appointment on the NHS Cheshire and Merseyside website.
Help shape the future of health data research
The North West Research Secure Data Environment (SDE) Public Advisory and Accountability Group (PAAG) is seeking members of the public to provide input on the development of a secure digital system for health and public data research.
As part of NHS England’s digital strategy, this initiative aims to bring together currently separate data sources—spanning health, care, environment, and travel—into a secure, pseudonymised digital environment. Researchers will be able to apply to access de-identified data to support studies that could improve healthcare, public services, and policy making.
To ensure transparency and public trust, it is essential that local people are involved in shaping this system. The PAAG will play a key role in advising on the design, expectations, and safeguards around the use of health and social data for research.
Who can get involved?
The group is open to people of all ages and backgrounds, and no prior experience in health data, research, or advisory roles is required. The aim is to gather diverse perspectives to ensure the system meets public expectations and operates responsibly.
What to expect
Monthly online meetings (2 hours)
£50 payment per session
Opportunities to contribute to an important national initiative
This work is being led by teams from the Lancashire and South Cumbria, Cheshire and Merseyside, and Greater Manchester Integrated Care Systems.
For those interested in contributing to this critical development in secure health data research, this is an opportunity to have a direct impact on how data is used for public benefit.
To register, visit North West Secure Data Environment [forms.office.com] or contact Nichola.Verstraelen@lthtr.nhs.uk for more information.
The NHS 2025/26 priorities – where does the sector fit in?
NHS England has just released its 2025/26 Priorities and Operational Planning Guidance, setting out key areas of focus for the year ahead. While the document emphasises collaboration and local flexibility, it does not explicitly mention voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise sector. However, this does not mean there is no role for the sector —far from it. Here are our initial thoughts on the guidance and the role of the VCFSE sector.
The guidance highlights the need for improved access to care, greater efficiency, and tackling health inequalities. These are all areas where VCFSE organisations already play a critical and expert role. From supporting vaccination and screening programmes, helping NHS staff with training, mobilising volunteers and providing crucial preventative and early intervention services, the sector’s contribution is undeniable and never more needed.
A shift towards local decision-making
Perhaps the most promising takeaway from this guidance is the increased control that Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) will have over local funding and decision-making. This devolution of funding presents a real opportunity for the VCFSE sector to deepen partnerships with health systems. With funding and decision-making happening closer to communities and with more flexibility this will ensure that the voices of communities are heard, and services are truly accessible to those who need them most. It is vital, however, that this funding is guided through the lens of prevention and does not become swallowed by acute trusts.
Concerns over the removal of key targets
The removal of specific health targets, such as those for dementia, women’s health, and learning disabilities, has raised concerns that these areas may receive less funding and attention. Without national targets, resources may be redirected elsewhere, leading to fragmented services and inconsistent care across regions. Additionally, recent comments from the Health Secretary about breaking the "culture of the voluntary sector" (as noted in this statement from the Royal Osteoporosis Society) have further unsettled organisations that play a critical role in patient care.
The VCFSE sector is a trusted partner in driving preventive change, and we would like to see North West health systems maintain and strengthen the partnerships built over the years to ensure the continued delivery of effective, high-impact patient pathways and services.
The challenge of efficiency savings
There is some expectation that with providers being asked to make four per cent efficiency savings, despite an overall uplift in budgets, there is a significant risk of cuts and service closures in order to meet these targets. However, with the VCFSE sector’s bread and butter being prevention, alongside value for money and the social value that the sector provides, there is every opportunity for us to shout about our successes and our impact to further cement the sector’s role in the long-term vision.
Opportunities in neighbourhood health models
The inclusion of expanding neighbourhood health service models as mechanisms for preventing admissions and improving access to care may also create opportunities for the VCFSE sector. Potential integrated service offerings, closer collaboration, streamlined access to care, and the development of a shared vision with common outcomes can help strengthen partnerships and enhance engagement with communities.
Integrated Care Boards will be required to work with wider system partners to develop plans that align with both the objectives set out in the guidance and local priorities for March 2025.
Looking ahead
At Voluntary Sector North West, we will continue to advocate for a stronger, more integrated role for the VCFSE sector. We will closely monitor developments to ensure that the sector’s central role in health creation is embedded within the 10-Year Plan, working in collaboration with our infrastructure partnerships across the North West.
Let’s make sure that collaboration isn’t just encouraged—it’s embedded in the system.
New website launched to help prevent suicide across Cheshire and Merseyside
This month sees the launch of a new website aimed at preventing suicide across Cheshire and Merseyside. The website has been designed for professionals to help them to support those who are struggling with suicidal thoughts and/or self-harm.
High levels of self-harm and suicide indicate that some people are really suffering. Research shows that when someone takes their own life it can impact up to 135 other people, from friends and family, to colleagues, neighbours, and many others in their community. Sadly, there has been an increase in suicides across Cheshire and Merseyside and across the North West.
The Cheshire and Merseyside Suicide Prevention Partnership has been devised with the explicit aspiration of trying to prevent suicide and help make Cheshire and Merseyside a place where people never look to suicide as an answer.
A key way of achieving this goal is by ensuring people have access to information and support at the right moments. This can be people who are in crisis, people who know someone in crisis, or those who encounter people who are struggling in their daily lives.
The new website – sppcm.co.uk – has been developed specifically to provide information for professionals working across the subregion and equip them with insights, training and access to other groups that work on reducing suicide.
Complementing the website is a toolkit, with ready-to-use communications materials for partners to share with their networks on social media channels and in their place of work.
It’s a myth that it’s wrong to ask people if they are feeling suicidal, it’s okay to ask. The Cheshire and Merseyside Suicide Prevention Partnership hopes to tackle this by making it easier and by providing resources to help dialogue to occur in a sensitive and timely way.
There are many, many different reasons why people choose to take their own lives. But the Cheshire and Merseyside Suicide Prevention Partnership is helping to share the knowledge and start the conversations that will help communities reach those who feel alone before they reach crisis point.
The Cheshire and Merseyside Suicide Prevention Partnership, led by the Champs Public Health Collaborative on behalf of the nine Directors of Public Health and the NHS Director of Population Health across the subregion, drives strategic suicide prevention action across all nine local authority places.
The Partnership consists of a wide range of members including Public Health representation, the Lived Experience Network, Mental Health trusts, local Councillors and other key partners.
Ruth du Plessis, Lead Director of Suicide Prevention for the Collaborative and Director of Public Health for St Helens chairs the Partnership Board.
She said:
“With this new website, we will be supporting professionals across Cheshire and Merseyside by helping to equip them with the tools and knowledge to have conversations with those who have self-harmed or thinking of taking their own life.
“Our aspiration is for Cheshire and Merseyside to be a subregion where all suicides are prevented, where people do not consider suicide as a solution to the difficulties they face and where people have hope for the future.
“By working together, we can make a difference, save lives and improve the health and wellbeing of many.”
For more information about the Champs Public Health Collaborative’s Suicide Prevention programme, visit https://champspublichealth.com/suicide-prevention/
Understanding the English Devolution White Paper and its impact on civil society
The much-anticipated English Devolution White Paper, published on Monday 16 December, marks a significant step towards reshaping governance in England. As we move towards the implementation of the English Devolution Bill, this framework aims to establish a consistent and comprehensive approach to devolution across the country.
For the voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector, the white paper is a game changer. It presents new opportunities but also challenges that demand our sector to adapt and engage actively in shaping the future.
What is devolution?
Devolution involves transferring powers and resources from the national government to local levels, enabling decisions to be made closer to the communities they impact. With a focus on creating Strategic Authorities, often led by Mayors, the white paper promises more localised control over transport, skills, housing, and climate strategies.
Implications for the VCFSE sector
Despite its emphasis on localised power, the white paper overlooks the vital role of the VCFSE sector in connecting communities with local authorities and fostering grassroots initiatives. Key proposals include:
Integrated Settlements: Strategic Authorities will gain streamlined funding with more control over budgets to meet need as outlined within Local Growth Plans, but there is limited guidance on how VCFSE organisations will contribute to planning or delivery.
Employment and skills support: Reforms such as merging JobCentre Plus and the National Careers Service will require VCFSE input to ensure inclusivity and tailored support.
Community assets: The focus on local ownership, such as the Right to Buy for Assets of Community Value, offers potential for community-driven initiatives but risks burdening local groups without adequate support.
Partnership working: The focus on local may provide opportunities for the VCFSE sector at place to be a key partner in implementing devolution across the country.
The path forward
For the VCFSE sector to thrive within this framework, proactive involvement is essential. By collaborating with local authorities, fostering partnerships, and advocating for grassroots approaches such as Citizen’s Juries, we can ensure that devolution truly empowers communities.
This is a critical moment for civil society. We need to seize the opportunity to make our voices heard and champion a devolution that works for everyone.
Read our full analysis here, developed in partnership with Network for Europe.
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.
