"Why Weight to Talk" Training Programme Launches for VCFSE Organisations in Cheshire & Merseyside
Health Equalities Group (HEG) is excited to announce the launch of its "Why Weight to Talk" training programme, aimed at VCFSE organisations across Cheshire & Merseyside. This new initiative, funded by the Cheshire & Merseyside Cancer Alliance, seeks to build greater understanding and skills among practitioners about the complex causes of overweight and obesity.
The "Why Weight to Talk" training programme is designed to help practitioners consider the broad range of factors that contribute to our health and wellbeing in relation to weight. The training will also explore how weight stigma can impact individuals and how practitioners can support children and families in a more effective manner.
Free to Access: The training is available at no cost to VCFSE organisations.
1-Hour Sessions: Introductory sessions will be held online via MS Teams.
Comprehensive Content: The training covers the causes of overweight and obesity, weight stigma, and how to frame conversations to best support people’s needs and circumatances.
Training Dates
Monday 15th July, 14.00-15.00: Register here
Tuesday 16th July, 11.00-12.00: Register here
Friday 19th July, 11.00-12.00: Register here
Monday 22nd July, 14.00-15.00: Register here
Tuesday 23rd July, 15.00-16.00: Register here
Thursday 25th July, 15.00-16.00: Register here
Cancer Alliance shortlisted for prestigious healthcare award
The Cheshire and Merseyside Cancer Alliance is in the running for a national award for its work with communities to promote awareness of cancer and the benefits of screening.
Its Community Partnerships team has been collaborating with Community and Voluntary Service (CVS) organisations across Cheshire and Merseyside to support grassroots groups in giving vital health information and the initiative has now been shortlisted for a HSJ Patient Safety Award.
The project will go forward to final judging in the Health Service Journal’s Best Use of Integrated Care and Partnership Working in Patient Safety category ahead of a national awards ceremony in September.
Over the 18 months that the initiative has been running, 12,000 individual conversations have taken place with people through many different community organisations.
The Cancer Alliance initially funded community groups to do this by giving small grants but then created Social Action Lead roles in each CVS organisation to work two days a week on pushing out cancer awareness information to community groups in their area.
The project has played a crucial role in advancing the NHS Long Term Plan's goal of diagnosing three-quarters of all cancer cases at stages one and two by 2028. Insights gained from the pilot have led to an investment of over £600,000 over the past two years, empowering VCFSE service providers to deliver effective engagement at a hyperlocal level and further contribute to meeting NHS system outcomes.
The outcome of the Community Partnership project has contributed to Cheshire and Merseyside Cancer Alliance (CMCA) being ranked joint top in most improved rates of early diagnosis in England over the past year.
The Cancer Alliance’s Managing Director Jon Hayes said the project helped communities to understand the importance of coming forward early with possible symptoms of cancer, which is vital in treatment being easier and more successful. He added that CVS organisations helped to pass this information to a wider range of community groups and individuals.
Jon said: “We are delighted that our Community Partnership initiative has been highlighted in this award shortlist and we thank all the CVS organisations and groups which have been involved in it. It is a very important project bringing vital cancer information to people who need it most.
“Knowledge is power in having the confidence to come forward early with potential signs of cancer to be checked out. Having this knowledge given to you by a friend or trusted community member has much greater impact than if it is delivered by an external public sector organisation so, over time, more and more people will have a heightened awareness of cancer.”
The CVS organisations which have partnered in the scheme are: One Knowsley, Warrington CVS, Cheshire West Voluntary Action, CVS Cheshire East, Halton and St Helens Voluntary Community Action, One Knowsley, Liverpool Charity and Voluntary Services, Sefton Council for Voluntary Services and One Wirral CIC.
Greater Manchester VCSE sector takes centre stage with mayoral candidates committing to support
Last week, the Greater Manchester Metro Mayor candidates were put to the test answering questions and debating key issues facing the VCSE sector at an event hosted by the GM Leadership Group.
The event was held on Tuesday 23rd April at Central Methodist Church in Manchester and was chaired by Ben Gilchrist. There were over 80 representatives in attendance from the VCSE sector and Metro Mayor candidates from three of the major parties:
Andy Burnham – Labour
Jake Austin – Liberal Democrats
Astrid Johnson (substitute for Hannah Spencer) – Green
The Chair of the GM VCSE Leadership Group, Warren Escadale, gave an introduction to the VCSE sector and, along with other Leadership Group colleagues, shared their ambitions on what they want to achieve over the next four years.
The Metro Mayor candidates were each asked to speak about their vision for Greater Manchester and how they see the VCSE sector supporting that vision.
Astrid Johnson on behalf of Hannah Spencer
Astrid Johnson speaking at the event
Astrid Johnson, spoke on behalf of the Green Party candidate Hannah Spencer. She advised that Hannah is very passionate about all Greater Manchester residents deserving to have access to a warm home and access to food, but acknowledged that it is not a reality for a lot of people in our city region. Astrid raised her concerns on key issues such as homelessness, the climate crisis, mental health and said that the “NHS is on its knees”. She confirmed that herself and Hannah both welcome the VCSE manifesto and support all six policy areas.
Speaking of the value of the VCSE sector, Astrid said: “The VCSE sector are doing a lot of heavy lifting where government isn’t, VCSE work is now more important than ever”.
Andy Burnham
Andy Burnham speaking into a microphone at the event
The current Labour Metro Mayor, Andy Burnham, spoke about how his vision remains the same as the one he set seven years ago, in that a good home, a good job, good health and life for all, with all Greater Manchester residents able to grow up and grow old.
Andy is proud that Greater Manchester is one of the most progressive places in the UK. He is keen on building solutions from the bottom up with place first, coming before party. Andy highlighted how he bought the VCSE sector into the Reform Board to help influence on big issues such as homelessness, issues where the VCSE sector can make a real difference. Andy asked for the sectors support on Thursday 2nd May.
On investment into the VCSE sector, Andy said he “Looks to further embed current principles and link the VCSE sector into the Single Settlement”.
Jake Austin
Jake Austin standing and speaking at the event counting with his fingers
The Liberal Democrats candidate, Jake Austin, began his speech by thanking and confirming his support for the VCSE sector. Jake highlighted that although the Liberal Democrats helps the VCSE sector across Greater Manchester, there is still room for improvement. He advised that his party is focussed on building investments, capacity, transport improvements and affordable housing.
On his vision for Greater Manchester, Jake said “I believe the VCSE sector will be empowered by the Liberal Democrats and I will fight for every resident in Greater Manchester”.
Answering your questions
Metro Mayor candidates participated in a Q&A session in which attendees from the VCSE sector were able to put forward questions to the candidates covering topics such as transport and young people.
At the end of the event, the Metro Mayor Candidates were each asked to provide a closing statement.
“Hannah is passionate about making homes more comfortable, cleaner air, better greener public transport and making streets safer for women and girls”
“The VCSE sector serves communities in different ways which should be cherished. I will continue to lead from prioritising issues Westminster neglects”
“I pledge to invest in the Voluntary, Community and Enterprise sector and lift you up. I am very keen on an investment-led approach in Greater Manchester”
The Chair closed the meeting and invited all three Metro Mayor candidates to sign the 2024-28 Greater Manchester VCSE Manifesto, showing their commitment to working closely in partnership with the VCSE sector over the next four years.
The Greater Manchester VCSE Leadership Group expresses its gratitude to the Metro Mayor candidates for their attendance at the event and wishes them the best of luck in their campaigning.
Metro Mayor elections are taking place on Thursday 2nd May 2024. Remember to take an ID with you. You can find acceptable forms of ID on The Electoral Commissions website.
Left to right: Ben Gilchrist the event chair; Jake Austin, Lib Dem; Astrid Johnson, Green; Andy Burnham, Labour.
VS6 Holds successful Metro Mayor Hustings for the VCFSE sector
On 26th March the VS6 Partnership hosted the first Metro Mayor Hustings event of the 2024 campaigning period in Liverpool City Region (LCR), focusing on key issues facing the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise sector.
The event, held in Liverpool Cathedral and chaired by VS6 Partnership Chair Dr Ellen Loudon, was attended by over 70 representatives from the VCFSE sector and Metro Mayor candidates from all four major parties*:
Jade Marsden – Conservative
Tom Crone – Green
Steve Rotheram – Labour
Rob McAllister-Bell – Liberal Democrats
Metro Mayor candidates had the opportunity to provide opening and closing remarks, as well as participate in a “Q&A” session in which our VCFSE attendees were able to put forward 6 questions to candidates covering a broad range of topics concerning groups in the City Region. These questions included the cost of living crisis, climate change, VCFSE funding, equalities, social capital and children & young people.
In addition to the discussions, candidates were invited to sign the latest LCR VCFSE Manifesto which is due to be published in the coming weeks to show their commitment to working closely in partnership with the VCFSE sector in the next 4 years.
Jade Marsden (Conservatives) began her opening statement with a key message around fostering trust between the Metro Mayor office and communities by empowering local decision making, encouraging inward investment, and committing to transparency and accountability. Jade was passionate around making sure that LCR was the most accessible place in the country and was committed to supporting people with additional needs such as unpaid carers, people with both physical and learning disabilities, and children and young people. Jade also spoke about ringfenced investment for the VCFSE sector to improve equalities in the City Region. Building trust in politicians was a key priority for Jade, who emphasised that the VCFSE sector should be able to hold the Metro Mayor to account with the sector having a voice in decision-making.
Of the VCFSE Manifesto, Jade said “The manifesto shows a group of people that know their sector inside and out.”
Green Party candidate Tom Crone spoke highly of the important role that the VCFSE sector has in supporting communities in the City Region and his own experience of establishing groups in his current ward. Tom wanted to provide communities with the freedom to make their own improvements, with the VCFSE sectors understanding of the needs of communities being crucial to unlocking this potential. This also included policies around a 4 day working week, a citizens income (not means tested) with more free time for people to engage in volunteering. Tom’s vision of a cleaner and fairer City Region touched upon a number of different areas including greener, more accessible public transport, fuel poverty, and ensuring that young people who will face the burden of climate change in the future play an active role in our democracy.
Reflecting on the VCFSE Manifesto, Tom said “The VCFSE Manifesto matches closely with the Greens desire to create a fairer, greener City Region”.
Current Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram spoke of the work and progress to date that the Combined Authority has achieved since it’s inception, and highlighted the important working relationship that he has with developed with the VCFSE sector and other sectors including universities and businesses. In terms of funding for the sector, Steve reflected upon the pandemic highlighting how the VCFSE sector “propped up the country” and how the Combined Authority levelled the playing field for the sector by improving access to funding and grants, such as the #LCRCares funding. Steve discussed the potential for working closely with local authorities for targeted interventions for specific groups, such as carers, developing a mechanism for community transport officers to benefit from green transport funding, and adopting recommendations from the Cheshire & Merseyside State of the Sector report and our manifesto.
Steve was keen to continue working with the VCFSE sector if he was elected once more, stating that “Liverpool City Region has been on a very long journey – we are here now”.
Rob McAllister-Bell (Liberal Democrats) expressed his desire about wanting to do more to help support communities to be more involved in politics, citing statistics claiming that LCR is the lowest city region for numbers of people planning to vote. Rob talked about transformative change to unlock peoples potential, stressing how communities are facing “unbelievable” choices in the face of the cost of living crisis and the need to make sure that LCR receives its “fair share of funding” from central Government. Rob see’s working with the VCFSE sector as an important part of his vision for a Metro Mayor, including ensuring the VCFSE sector is “fit for purpose” with sufficient resources to avoid it becoming even more stretched. Putting equalities at the heart of policy was also a key priority for Rob, who wants LCR to become a disabled friendly City Region and to expand Liverpool Pride into every borough.
Steve was keen to continue working with the VCFSE sector if he was elected once more, stating that “Liverpool City Region has been on a very long journey – we are here now”.
Introducing The Phoenix Way North West in Cheshire and Merseyside
One Knowsley is supporting the Lancashire BME Network with The Phoenix Way North West. The Phoenix Way (TPW) is a collaborative racial justice movement that aims to address systemic barriers and inequalities faced by Black and racially minoritised communities in accessing funding in the UK. With a focus on Cheshire and Merseyside, the initiative works to establish community infrastructure, strengthen Black and racially minoritised communities, and increase access to funding through workshops and community grant making panels. You can learn more about The Phoenix Way North West and their work in Cheshire and Merseyside here.
Apply to be a VCFSE Representative on the NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Peoples Board
Part of the new NHS Health and Care Partnership, this senior board leads on health and care workforce issues. The Terms of Reference are here.
We are looking for sector representation. If you are interested in this role, please complete an application form and attach a copy of your CV and send to Amy Wood at amy.wood@vsnw.org.uk by 4th March 2024.
If you would like to discuss the role further, please contact Amy on the email address above.
Maximising VCFSE social value outcomes in Cheshire & Merseyside
Social value is about the good we can achieve within our communities related to environmental, economic and social wellbeing.
We have an incredible network of over 15,000 VCFSE organisations who are already tackling these issues head on, driving innovative solutions, enabling our public services and delivering compassionate support for people across Cheshire and Merseyside.
And it’s clear that the social value system, which requires our public sector to consider how it can use its purchasing power to build capabilities, strengths and assets within our communities, presents huge opportunities to go even further.
To realise this potential, over the next few months we will be convening a working group of system leaders to co-produce guidance that supports our system to maximise VCFSE social value outcomes.
Jointly sponsored by our public and VCFSE sectors, the project will provide an opportunity to build more inclusive public sector commissioning of social value, increase VCFSE capability in bidding for social value, including with the TOM System*, and better highlight pathways for collaboration between the sector and other public sector suppliers in delivery.
Whether or not you are involved through the Working Group, please do share any reflections or questions you have about this work. And we look forward to keeping you updated on our progress.
*The Local Government Association-endorsed Social Value TOM System is the most established and trusted method for measuring and recording Social Value today. It provides an evidence-led framework with clear, consistent guidance and a fully transparent methodology.
Flagship Cheshire and Merseyside State of the Sector 2023 report launched
VSNW is pleased to share the 2023 flagship Cheshire and Merseyside State of the Sector report for the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise sector (VCFSE) in partnership with NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, the VS6 Partnership and Cheshire and Warrington Infrastructure Partnership.
VSNW CEO, Warren Escadale said, 'We are proud to support this vital piece of work, which enables effective representation for the sector. Partner engagement is at the heart of what we do. I would like to give thanks to Racheal Jones from One Knowsley; our VSNW Research and Policy Officer, Laura Tilston; and the Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership for their hard work on producing this report.'
The State of the Sector report highlights extraordinary statistics and insights into the VCFSE sector across Cheshire and Merseyside, alongside the notable impact made possible through the work carried out by the organisations and people in our sector.
Through analysis of findings from our region-wide state of the sector survey and external data, the report evidences the size, scale and scope of the VCFSE sector in Cheshire and Merseyside. Over 19,500 VCFSE organisations are working to support those in need, committed to building thriving neighbourhoods, communities, towns, and cities across C&M - these have been measured to show the immense size and scope of the sector. Alongside a combined workforce of over 36,000 employees and 352,000 volunteers, the VCFSE sector contributes over £896.6 million to the Cheshire and Merseyside economy each year.
The report identifies key opportunities to build upon to further unlock the potential of the VCFSE sector through effective partnership working within health and care systems, enabling the sector to be ambitious in tackling health inequalities and providing social justice across Cheshire and Merseyside.
You can explore the key findings for Cheshire and Merseyside and more information here.
Autumn Statement 2023: A Summary for the Voluntary Sector in the North West
Following the the Chancellor's Autumn Statement 2023 we have emphasised two key points that affect the voluntary sector in the North West in particular. Thank you to NAVCA, Big Issue and the Resolution Foundation for providing further insight into the broader ramifications for our communities - links below.
Lancashire Combined County Authority (CCA): The government has announced plans to create a Lancashire Combined County Authority (CCA), without a Mayor. This new authority will have powers to make decisions on transport, planning, and economic development in the region.
Single Funding Settlement for Greater Manchester Combined Authority: The government has agreed to a single funding settlement for the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, which will be agreed in the next Spending Review. This means that the authority will have more certainty over its funding ahead of April 2025 and after the next election. Andy Burnham said of the new Memorandum of Understanding with the Treasury: “This moves our city-region towards a Welsh-style or Scottish-style funding arrangement with Whitehall and is a big vote of confidence in Greater Manchester.”
Further Insight:
Resolution Foundation Summary: For a more in-depth analysis of the Autumn Statement, the Resolution Foundation has published a summary that examines the impact of the announcements on the economy and public finances. Follow this link for the full summary.
Big Issue Article: The Big Issue has published an article that explores the potential impact of the Autumn Statement on benefit claimants, including those who are disabled or sick. Follow this link for the full article.
For further information about Lancashire’s Combined County Authority follow this link.
Download the NAVCA Briefing Document
