This latest NCVO report looks at the implications of ongoing austerity, and estimates the scale of cuts affecting the sector. If current plans go ahead, the sector will receive £1.7bn less funding from government in 2017/18 than in 2010/1
Voluntary Sector North West
St. Thomas Centre
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Delegates will be invited to sign up for workshops during the event registration process on the day. Please note that notes and presentations from all workshops will be available at www.vsnw.org.uk soon after the event.
Chief Executives’ catch up
A whistle-stop tour of the current policy issues and group discussion on the current support needs of chief executives and their organisations. Led by Richard Caulfield, Chief Executive of VSNW.
Somewhere over the rainbow: the development and direction of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans groups
Successful LGB&T voluntary and groups demonstrate the importance and value of a vibrant LGB&T sector. In association with Gaydio, The Lesbian & Gay Foundation (LGF) will demonstrate an example of the LGB&T specific support it has offered. This local example of best practice will then be placed in the context of regional and national campaigns and policies developed by LGF in association with its partners. This session will be useful for those who want to increase their knowledge around LGB&T issues as well, as for colleagues that are more experienced.
BME Women’s Representation in the North West: towards a Charter for Participation
This workshop, run by One North West and the BME Women's Solidarity Forum, will explore the representation of BME Women across the North West and the layers of disadvantage that they experience. The workshop will also introduce the BME Charter, developed by the NW BME Policy Forum and discuss how breaking down barriers for the most marginalised in society can bring benefits to all.
Changing and influencing policy through advocacy
The workshop will be run by Refugee Action and the Manchester Refugee Support Network. It will explore how advocacy can be effectively used to change and influence policy-making. It will also explore current campaigns aiming to influence policies affecting Refugee and Asylum seekers’ communities and how we can work more strategically in the context of the economic downturn.
Disability and the Big Society
Run by Merseyside Disability Federation and the North West Disability Infrastructure Partnership, this workshop will explore how to ensure your services are accessible to disabled people and their organisations within current and emerging legislation and policy development. What has been announced, how we think it can be made to work, our approach to likely future scenarios; all from a practical perspective that can be passed on to front-line groups. As well as informing you, we also want to collect your experiences in providing accessible services to use to influence the new bodies.
Harnessing the power of your stories: raising profile, demonstrating impact
Your beneficiaries, staff, volunteers and external partners can be some of the most powerful advocates for your organisation and its work; come and find out how telling their stories can help you engage audiences and bring about change. Focusing on some of the case studies featured in the Listen Value Invest campaign, this workshop run by VSNW will help you identify the ingredients for a good story, raise your profile using new media channels, and demonstrate your impact.
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Regional Voices, of which VSNW is a partner, is pleased to announce that it has been awarded funding from the Department of Health (Innovation, Excellence and Strategic Development Fund) to support voluntary and community sector influence on health and wellbeing boards
The Department for Business Innovation & Skills has published the findings of a research study on European Social Fund delivery with the aim of informing thinking around the next round of programmes
Healthwatch England was formed in April 2013 and is the independent consumer champion for health and social care in England. They have now published a list of local Healthwatch, including those for the North West
The Local Government Chronicle held a webinar to explore the essential elements to ensure local healthwatch organisations are effective in scrutinising local health services and provide a voice for communities. Regional Voices, of which VSNW are a part, are mentioned.
An analysis has been published by NAVCA of the 74 areas that received Transforming Local Infrastructure and provides a national perspective, and allows the sharing of information and ideas
