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.
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.
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 Lancashire VCFSE Draft Manifesto
Over the last six months, VSNW has helped to facilitate a consultation across the VCFSE sector in Lancashire, with the aim of collectively creating a vision for the next three years. As a start, some priority headlines were suggested and used as starting points for discussions.
Organisations have had the opportunity to input via LOCAL’s website onto a comment forum or during events hosted my some sector Leaders across Lancashire. The information was then collated into a draft manifesto with the aim of streamlining the input into a set of ‘asks’.
On the 29th June, the manifesto was presented at the ‘Lancashire VCFSE Draft Manifesto Aseembly’; breakout rooms explored what was missing from the manifesto, what was good and anything that they disagreed with. We are now asking all those who attended the event and even those that did not, to further read the manifesto and give feedback via a short survey. The deadline for this feedback is the 13th July. The information gathered after this will be used to make a final edit of the manifesto, before distributing and asking groups for endorsement.
This is a really important opportunity for VCFSE groups across Lancashire and we encourage as much input as possible.
