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
4 September 2012
The Skills Funding Agency is one of the main co-financing organisations managing European Social Funds in England. They have funding available for ESF Priority 2 (which focuses on developing a skilled and adaptable workforce) for the remainder of the 2007-2013 ESF Operational Programme.
The Skills Funding Agency is planning to issue invitations to tender on November 14th for the delivery of ESF funded provision to provide skills support for the workplace through apprenticeships and related workplace learning from April 2013.
The Agency will only issue invitations to tender to those organisations which are on the Register of Training Organisations on 14th November. The Agency has now re-opened the register application process. The closing date for applications is 5pm on 1st October.
Network for Europe is holding a series of briefing events in September 2012.
These events will:
The event is only for voluntary and community sector organisations based or operating in North West. To book a place in one of the events please choose from the dates below and click the eventbrite link to register:
10 September 2012 Manchester: 2pm – 4.30pm (Venue tbc): http://sfaesf1.eventbrite.co.uk
12 September 2012 Chester: 10am – 12.30 pm (Venue tbc): http://sfaesf2.eventbrite.co.uk
18 September 2012 Wirral: 10am – 12.30 pm (Venue tbc): http://sfaesf3.eventbrite.co.uk
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
