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
14 August 2012
The Big Lottery Fund has awarded £13m through its Reaching Communities programme to 55 charities in England.
The £130m Reaching Communities programme offers grants of between £10,000 and £500,000 to organisations in England that help to build stronger communities and help people in need.
Nat Sloane, chair of the Big Lottery Fund England, said: "It is estimated that one in four people will experience mental health difficulties at some point in their lives and it can happen at any time. I am therefore delighted the Big Lottery Fund has invested this significant sum of money in projects that will go a long way towards removing the stigma that surrounds mental health issues and supporting people in their treatment and recovery."
The 8 North West based organisations who have been awarded funding are:
- UR Potential CIC. Beneficiary Location/s: Blackpool, Fylde, Wyre. Award Amount: £199,333
- The East Cheshire Hospice. Beneficiary Location/s: Cheshire East, Staffordshire Moorlands, Stockport, Wyre. Award Amount: £180,470
- East Lancashire People First. Beneficiary Location/s: Lancashire. Award Amount: £164,518
- HARV Outreach Team. Beneficiary Location/s: Hyndburn, Ribble Valley. Award Amount: £499,989
- South Liverpool Domestic Abuse Services. Beneficiary Location/s: Liverpool. Award Amount: £264,932
- Action for Achievement. Beneficiary Location/s: Liverpool. Award Amount: £37,858
- Home-Start Manchester South. Beneficiary Location/s: Manchester. Award Amount: £209,685
- Wai Yin Chinese Women Society. Beneficiary Location/s: Manchester. Award Amount: £285,135
For further information about all the awards visit The Big Lottery Fund website: 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
