Cheshire and Merseyside Health & Social Care VCFSE Leaders Group

A recent meeting of the Cheshire and Merseyside Health & Social Care VCFSE Leaders brought together a range of infrastructure and provider organisations from across the region.

The overall aim of the group is to achieve strategic influence for the Sector and genuine system change. This will be achieved by a mixture of co-ordinated activities such as further strategic meetings; consistent messaging for the Sector on the social value it delivers in communities; and exploring the development of a cohesive engagement strategy with mapped out stakeholders both in localities and the sub-region.

The main topic of discussion was the Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership Five Year Strategy, and how the VCFSE sector should influence and respond to this in a co-ordinated fashion. A series of workshops will be taking place in October across Cheshire and Merseyside to generate feedback on what role the VCFSE sector will play in the development and implementation of the strategy. Key contacts and membership organisations across the Sector will be the basis of the feedback body.

At the event, several next steps were proposed, focussing on engagement with relevant organisations and contacts within the VCFSE sector in the Cheshire and Merseyside area to develop robust feedback that will focus on the implementation of the strategy.

These next steps were as follows:

1. VSNW will pull together a ‘plan for a plan’ for VCFSE engagement, leadership and involvement that will be submitted for inclusion in the final strategy.

2. This will be signed off by a developing VCFSE leadership and partnership group that includes leaders from VS6, CVS organisations from across Cheshire and Merseyside, VCFSE ‘Place’ representatives, providers and VCSE equalities networks and organisations.

3. The plan will be circulated via the leadership group and Cheshire and Merseyside CVS.

4. The final 5 Year Strategy will be submitted to NHS England on 15th November 2019.

Recruitment opportunity - VCSE Mental Health Leadership Group

The Greater Manchester VCSE Mental Health Forum is in the process of evolving the way that the VCSE sector works with the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership and the wider system around mental health.

They have listened to concerns about the existing representative structure and have developed a more proactive way of working and are now seeking fifteen active leaders to form a new VCSE Mental Health Leadership group. This will comprise one active leader from each locality plus a further five additional leaders representing communities of identity and work being done on a greater Manchester level. They expect that the roles will result in extra work in terms of attending meeting and bringing together colleagues and, in acknowledgement of that, each leader's organisation will receive £1,500 per year as a contribution toward the time used.

They are looking to hear from those who are already operating as a leader in relation to supporting people's mental health within their localities or across Greater Manchester and are particularly interested in hearing from those who feel they are yet to feel that their voices and passion are yet to be fully utilised.

There are two different Expression of Interest forms, one for those looking to become a locality lead and one for those wishing to be considered as system leads. Please check that you are completing the correct form.

If you have any queries about which form would be the most suitable for you to complete or any other questions about the process please contact either simone.spray@42ndstreet.org.uk or stewart.lucas@manchestermind.org 

Completed Expression of Interest forms should be forwarded to via e-mail to kat.rado-barnes@gmcvo.org.uk by 9am on Monday 4th November 2019. 

Greater Manchester Poverty Action

Greater Manchester Poverty Action (GMPA) has been working on behalf of the GM VCSE Devolution Reference Group to develop tools that help promote the voluntary and community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector’s role in the Greater Manchester economy.

The following film sets out some of the socio-economic challenges the city region faces and considers the potential role for the VCSE sector in helping to reshape our economy.

The GM VCSE Devolution Reference Group is a group of organisations who come together to promote the role and involvement of the VCSE sector and communities in devolution. Part of this work involves promoting the role of VCSE organisations in the Greater Manchester economy, ensuring the economic value and potential of such organisations is recognised.

Given the twin challenges of economic inequality and poverty in Greater Manchester, the Reference Group recognises that the economy of Greater Manchester needs to be more inclusive, delivering better outcomes for all residents and ensuring everyone living in the city region can benefit from sustainable economic activity. The Reference Group believes VCSE organisations have a central role in achieving this, particularly in respect of encouraging economic activity in place with high levels of deprivation and poverty.

To view the film visit here.

For more information on the work that GMPA are doing in this area, visit here.

What’s next for the VCSE sector in Greater Manchester? Have your say

The Greater Manchester VCSE Leadership Group with support from colleagues at the GMCA have developed a VCSE Policy Position Paper which sets out a long term ambition for the VCSE sector in Greater Manchester.

Please share your views on the draft Paper. Does it describe a way forward that is meaningful for all VCSE organisations?

The paper builds on the Accord with Mayor of Greater Manchester and GM Combined Authority (GMCA), and the Memorandum of Understanding with the GM Health and Social Care Partnership.

It is intended to be really ambitious, describing a future role equal to those of the state and business. It sets out what our sector could bring over the next 25 years to Greater Manchester people and communities, and what would need to be done to enable it, including investment.

It isn’t an action plan, but after the Policy Paper is finalised in November an ‘implementation and transformation plan’ will be developed over the following year in each of the 10 localities as well as for Greater Manchester. The plans will vary, but will all be co-designed with relevant partners within the broad framework set out in this Paper.

Please respond to the online survey and/or come to a consultation event (dates and venues will be advertised once agreed). The survey is open until 30th September 2019.

The draft Executive Summary can be viewed online here. If you would like a copy of the full document, please email Katya Pursall (kat.pursall@gmail.com)

Greater Manchester Spatial Framework

VCSE workshop discussion

On 10th July a workshop took place with the purpose of bringing together a group of stakeholder experts from voluntary organisations, community groups and social enterprises to discuss and agree how the sector might be involved in the next stage of developing the GM Spatial Framework, with a particular focus on how the Framework describes the process and arrangements for ‘Shaping Places with Communities’. A number of tasks / asks arose:

1. Develop a Community Impact Assessment tool, building on identification of what makes a ‘good place’.

2. Define community anchor organisations including VCSE ones, map them and designate them across the patch. This should include geographic and equalities VCSE institutions.

These tasks build on a commitment from the spatial strategy team to working with the VCSE sector and establishing an informal task and finish group building on the previous consultation workshop. The previous session identified a number of areas for consideration, which these tasks look to build on.

Our CEO, Warren Escadale, who attended the meeting on behalf of VSNW, commented:
“VCSE organisations play a pivotal role in supporting communities and community action. We need a way to identify and safeguard those pivotal community centres, hubs, anchors and similar spaces, and think how we respect their role and importance in our spatial planning, in building thriving communities. Clearly the LGBT foundation should not be squeezed out of Central Manchester and St Thomas Centre should not lose heritage lottery funding while land next door goes unused. We should understand the role that Bolton CVS and their building plays in the social economy of Bolton, ask how we could develop a region-wide hub for BME VCSE activity, and look to designate one VCSE community anchor organisation in each health neighbourhood.”
 
To view the slides from the event, please click on the link here.

VSNW AGM & Conference 2018

‘A New Direction for Uncertain Times’

Wednesday 14th November 2018 10.00am – 3.30pm

Venue: Blackburne House, 3 Blackburne Place, Liverpool, L8 7PE

Our AGM and Conference takes place at Blackburne House (pictured below) in Liverpool on November 14th.

We can now reveal the day’s agenda, including the choice of workshops in which you can take part, so that you can plan your day with us.

AGENDA

10.00am Coffee, Registration and Networking

10.30am Keynote Speaker and Q&A

Claire Dove, CEO of Blackburne House & Crown Representative of the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise sector (covering Claire’s role as Crown Representative and her thoughts on the future of the sector) (TBC)

11.00am Choice of three Workshops*

12.15pm Lunch

1.00pm AGM:

• A review of VSNW’s work during 2018 with Warren Escadale

• VSNW’s future priorities with Alison Page

• Formal AGM business

1.45pm Choice of three Workshops*

3.00pm Plenary & Closing Remarks with Warren Escadale, Alison Page and the Workshop Leads

3.30pm Close

*The workshops on offer will include the following:

1. ‘What is the Sector’s role in an Inclusive Economy?’

• Graham Whitham, GM Poverty Action, to provide a high level introduction;

• Lynne Stafford, Gaddum, and Ellen Loudon, Canon Chancellor of Liverpool Diocese, share their learning and experiences

2. Better Start - ‘VCSE’s role in Maternity Services’

• Jo Ward, Change Maker and Co-Chair of the North West Social Prescribing Network and Jan Campbell of Sefton CVS (TBC)

3. ‘The VCSE role in a Social Economy’

• Garth Hodgkinson, CEO of Community CVS (Blackburn) on developing a local social economy fit for the future

• Alan Southern of The Heseltine Institute (TBC)

4. ‘The Sector’s role in the Future World of Work’

• FACT’s Tom Rowlands on creatively exploring lessons for the future, influencing thinking and on understanding the VCSE role

5. ‘Changing World of Health: Keeping on Track’

• Warren Escadale, CEO VSNW, keeping track of the new NHS “roadmap”

• Michele Scattergood, CEO Breakthrough UK, discussing her experience of broadening engagement and participation in a Local Care Organisation

6. ‘Home Sweet Home – Developing the Sector’s role in place’

• Liz Windsor-Welsh, CEO Action Together, Oldham, on the role of the Voluntary Sector in public service reform and Community Hubs

• Sally Yeoman, CEO Halton and St Helen’s CVS, on Halton and St. Helen’s experiences

Singing in the City 4: Celebrating the NHS 70

A nationwide event at various venues including The Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester

Sunday 8 July 2018, 11.30am - 4pm

Singing in the City 4 will bring many diverse choirs together to perform for each other and the public, drawing on all kinds of music genres. The principle of this event is simple; singing is good for you, whether you perform or listen. The event is FREE to both choirs that take part and for the public to attend. It's supported by the North West Social Prescribing Network, which advocates the benefits of non-clinical interventions in their role of promoting wellbeing and recovery, and is a volunteer-led event sponsored by Voluntary Sector North West.**

This year's event marks the NHS' 70th anniversary since it began and this event is a celebration of workplace wellbeing initiatives in the NHS. To mark the occasion, the event is moving to a unique new venue and extending its programme. A composer and a songwriter have produced a specially-written score and lyrics to encourage mass participation in these celebrations.

Learn and perform a new song that celebrates NHS 70

Choirs that would like to join Singing in the City will still have the opportunity to sing a set of songs reflecting their own unique style and repertoire. The specially commissioned song, We Will Overcome, can also be accessed and downloaded for FREE at the links below. All the choirs will perform this song together on the day under the direction of the Singing in the City MD. You can listen to this composition below to give you an idea of the melody that you use as a basis.

Develop a performance anywhere

Choirs that can't make it on 8 July can still download We Will Overcome (both the song and music) for FREE and develop their own performances.

Write your own lyrics for NHS 70

Choirs who are participating on 8 July are also invited to write their own lyrics to an NHS 70 music score. Choirs that are registered can then compete with each other on the day to see who has created the finest new lyrical composition. Any choirs who are not involved on the day can still write their own lyrics to demonstrate local talent and creativity.

Want to get involved at the Whitworth?

Choirs who want to join the Whitworth event on 8 July just need to register to secure a place on the day. The deadline for registration is this Friday 27 April to ensure all choirs have sufficient time to learn We Will Overcome, the NHS 70 song. Choirs who also want to write their own lyrics just need to register for the Whitworth NHS 70 song writing competition at the same time.

How to mark the NHS 70 day in your community

NHS England has set up a website to support public engagement with celebrations. They encourage people to celebrate the NHS 70 wherever they live or work, and especially for any choirs to get involved throughout 2018.

Here are your FREE downloads:

• The NHS 70 song We Will Overcome (music and words)
• The We Will Overcome music if you are writing your own lyrics
• The We Will Overcome bass score
• The We Will Overcome mezzo soprano score
• The We Will Overcome soprano score
• The We Will Overcome tenor score

Contact

To get started contact the Singing in the City team and tell them how you'd like to be involved. Simply email: admin@jowardchangemaker.org.uk or telephone Jo on 07708 428096. Jo will also provide a simple toolkit and advice to support you to develop your event if you are hosting your own.

*Copyright notice: The composer Jake Few and song writer Kirstin Paisley Pearce have granted a time limited FREE not for profit licence for anyone wishing to celebrate the NHS 70 throughout 2018 with their score and/or lyrics. The licence allows choirs to perform the piece with live singers in any event associated with the NHS 70th anniversary, and also record the piece professionally, as long as it's within the context of an event and it is not-for-profit.

**Organisations that would like to become members of VSNW can register here.

Voluntary sector will play leading role in Cheshire and Merseyside STP

VSNW convened a roundtable last week with the head of the Sustainability and Transformation Plan, Louise Shepherd, and VCSE sector representatives from across the region. The STP is the strategic plan for health and social care across the whole of Merseyside, Cheshire and Warrington from 2017 to 2021, building on NHS England’s Five Year Forward View. The plan aims to develop out of hospital care and improve prevention, increase the quality of hospital care, reduce costs and improve partnership working to deliver transformation.

It was clear at the roundtable that there are several ways that the sector can offer answers to improving health and wellbeing, including leadership and co-design opportunities, educating people about the depth and breadth of VCFSE expertise, effecting cultural change, and supporting sector involvement in the Integrated Care Partnership. Warren Escadale attended the inaugural meeting of the System Leadership Board.

“Closer engagement with the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector is positive in itself and could have broader benefits. This is an opportunity for the VCFSE sector and the local health and social care system to develop answers that improve outcomes.

If we’re going to transform our health system, we need a new working relationship with communities and residents and the sector offers an important means to make this happen.”

— Louise Shepherd, Head of Cheshire and Merseyside STP

2017 General Election: What can the next Government do to support charities?

The next government has a big role to play in supporting the VCSE sector, volunteers, and catalysing wider change in the country. NCVO have published a manifesto with five key asks from the next Government. They are:

Making it easier and more rewarding for people to volunteer

• Allowing employers time off work for volunteering
• Providing a support fund to address barriers to volunteering for people with disabilities.
• Recognise the difference that volunteers make to their communities
• Strengthening volunteer development and management

Supporting local communities for a generation to come

• Create income-generating endowment funds
• Put more assets in community ownership

Facilitating charities and volunteers to support our public services

• Services such as the NHS should be asked to set targets for the management and development of volunteering
• Senior public service leaders should be asked to become volunteering champions - raising greater awareness

Enabling people to develop their skills and employment opportunities

• Replace European Union programmes that help people get back to work
• Make it easier for unemployed people looking for work to volunteer

Giving everybody a stake in post-Brexit Britain

• Ensure the right to stay of EU national is resolved without delay
• Simple and effective visa requirements should be put in place to enable people from overseas.
• In the voluntary sector alone, around 5% of staff are non-UK EEA nationals, with this proportion increasing at a higher rate in recent years than the private or public sectors

““Over the next few weeks, people across our country will be talking about their vision of what a good society looks like, what a more social economy looks like, and what post-Brexit Britain looks like. Our message to candidates from all political parties is that this is a good time to think about how we can support and encourage the people and charities who want to help in their communities.””

— Karl Wilding, Director for Public Policy and Volunteering at NCVO

These five areas all draw upon the idea of the next government acting as an enabler for the sector to develop and flourish even further. Charities and volunteers across the country and in all communities are already making a difference to people’s lives and changing things for the better. With the right support and opportunities, they can do even more.

For further details, NCVO's full manifesto is available here.