Voluntary Sector North West
St. Thomas Centre
Voluntary sector networks developing lead body bids/networking with specialist sectors (Warrington and Cheshire)
Transforming infrastructure funding - challenges
1. Lack of consultation re funding pot so youth participation marginalised
- open conference needed to discuss
- problems re competition
- young people being marginalised re projects e.g. unemployment
2. New infrastructure companies springing up with no background and no involvement of working or involving young people
- volunteers expected to meet JD's for 2 or 3 days per week
- need for tried and tested methods and outlining level of expectation for volunteers
- no centralised training or structure for volunteers
3. Retention and support improving re volunteers
- this difficult for stretched profession and paid workforce
- no progression to paid work for volunteers
- lack of safety and quality of work for volunteers who are under skilled for complex tasks
- lack of funding for training of volunteers
- no government definition of 'volunteers'
- benefits put as risk if people don't agree to be volunteers
- employers using volunteers instead of paying staff
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
