Alliance report highlights impact of VCFSE led urgent and emergency care winter support

The Urgent and Emergency Care Winter Programme, developed by the Lancashire and South Cumbria VCFSE Alliance, responded to increasing winter pressures by testing how community-led, preventative support could reduce avoidable A&E attendances and help people access the right care earlier.

Spring North, appointed as the anchor organisation, has published a Programme Evaluation Report Framework setting out headline outcomes from delivery across Blackpool and Blackburn with Darwen.

Key outcomes include:

• 16,517 people reached through awareness campaigns and community messaging
• 1,305 people receiving tailored one-to-one support
• 2,724 high intensity users engaged through outreach, drop-ins and planned sessions
• 51.8% of participants reporting a change in behaviour, saying they would now seek non-emergency support instead of attending A&E
• 793 CORE20PLUS5 assessments completed, leading to 391 targeted referrals into wider health and wellbeing support

The evaluation highlights the value of trusted, community-based VCFSE delivery in supporting people to stay well, reducing pressure on urgent care services, and addressing wider determinants of health.

Read the full evaluation report