From April 2013 local Healthwatch replaced the Local Involvement Networks (LINks) as the "consumer voice" in health and social care. It is important that local Healthwatch learns from the experience of the LINks to ensure they become the best they can be, and to prevent "reinventing the wheel". The results of a project to capture this learning are now available
Voluntary Sector North West
St. Thomas Centre
17 July 2012
The Fund provides grants from one to three years to support proposals in the health and care field with the potential for national impact in line with DoH objectives of better health and wellbeing and better care for all.
The available funding is very limited, and to be successful, organisations will need to have a clear focus on how their proposals would support and drive forward new ideas, disseminate and replicate excellence or undertake strategic developments in voluntary sector capacity and/or capability in the health and care field.
Further, to be eligible for investment, the activities of the project must have, or plan to have an effect nationally. For example, a locally-based proposal can be said to have the potential for having an effect nationally if it is trying out new solutions for services that have not been tried before and the learning or good practice can be shared or copied in other areas of the country. Proposals with a purely local effect will not be considered.
Registered charities and organisations that are not-for-profit and incorporated, and based and working in England may apply. Organisations can apply individually or in partnership with others.
There are three strands under the 2013-14 funding round: Innovation; Excellence; and Strategic Development.
There are no maximum or minimum amounts but bids should be realistic and incorporate full cost recovery as funding is very limited. As a guide 74 projects received funding under the scheme in 2012-2013 with awards ranging from around £16,000 to £240,000 (for the first-year allocations).
There are two deadlines for the 2013-14 application round:
7th September 2012 for registration and eligibility. 21st September 2012 for applications.
For further information about the fund: Click Here
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
