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The first Great North VCFSE Exchange brought together voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) leaders from across the North to explore how relationships with combined authorities (CAs) and other strategic partners can work better in practice.
We had over 65 representatives from the VCFSE across the North attend the Exchange, with everyone eager to learn more about what devolution and VCFSE-CA working looks like in other areas and how we can come together as a strong northern sector to advocate on behalf of our communities and community organisations.
During the webinar we heard from our Programme Manager for Research and Policy sharing the findings of a survey sent out across the North to explore what current partnership working. Discussions highlighted a mixed picture across the North. Some areas have established, funded and formal routes for VCFSE representation, while others rely on informal relationships or are still shaping their role as devolution develops.
Case studies from colleagues in the North East and Greater Manchester showed both the value of long term collaboration and the ongoing challenges around influence, resourcing, equalities and translating strategic commitments into day to day practice.
There was strong agreement on the importance of practical partnership working. This includes clearer and more formal working arrangements, funded VCFSE leadership and coordination, better communication, and aligning voluntary sector activity with combined authority priorities such as inclusive growth, transport, skills and population health.
We will circulate the meeting recording and notes to all participants, ensuring everyone has access to the session’s discussions and outcomes. Engagement at the event was very lively with many offers of mutual support from attendees which was great to see, we would encourage those who reached out to make those connections.
There was an appetite from attendees to continue with these exchanges, bringing together the sector across the North and building a momentum that champions the sectors role in devolution at a regional level. There was also a desire to explore key themes that link to CA priority areas, such as transport and social value, which VSNW will look into how we can support convening such discussions.
In the meantime, watch the recording and explore the slides below to hear the discussions in full and see how you can get involved.
