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Working together to champion the vital role our sector does and could play in the future of the health and care across Cheshire and Merseyside. The leaders group is one of three key forums that make up our VCSE Alliance in Cheshire and Merseyside.
Our purpose is to advocate for and strengthen the role of the voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector in the health and care system across Cheshire and Merseyside.
We aim to:
Promote collaboration between VCFSE organisations and health and care providers.
Ensure the sector’s contributions are recognised and integrated into health and care planning.
Support the development and sustainability of VCFSE organisations to enhance community health and wellbeing.
Facilitate the sharing of best practices, resources, and information within the sector.
Represent the interests and needs of the sector in strategic decision-making forums.
The Cheshire and Merseyside VCFSE Health and Care Leaders Group is dedicated to promoting and championing the role of the VCFSE sector in the health and care economy across Cheshire and Merseyside. Our key objectives include:
Promoting equity: We advocate for an equitable role for the VCFSE sector within the health and care economy in Cheshire & Merseyside.
Encouraging engagement: We champion greater levels of engagement and collaboration between the sector and health and care programmes across the region.
Information sharing: We act as a conduit for sharing information and opportunities to enhance the participation of the sector in the health and care economy.
Facilitating collaboration: We create an environment where VCFSE organisations with common purposes can come together to share information, best practices, and discuss priority issues affecting the sector.
Our group includes leaders from VCFSE providers, infrastructure organisations, and networks of identity and experience. We meet four times a year, with three virtual meetings and one face-to-face meeting, coordinated and supported by VSNW.
The Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Transformation Programme is focused on enhancing the health and wellbeing of communities across the region. This programme aims to support the voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector by increasing its representation and influence within the integrated care system (ICS). The transformation programme works through the Leaders Group and the wider VCSE Alliance to ensure the sector achieves more together by acting with one voice.
Overview of Progress and Achievements 2023-2024
Support the VCFSE voice, representation and engagement with the Cheshire and Merseyside ICS
Embed the VCFSE as a key delivery partner in Cheshire and Merseyside health and care workstreams
Support the VCFSE’s role in each of the nine places or areas of Cheshire and Merseyside’s ICS
Some of the ways the program is working to meet these goals include:
Supporting VCFSE voice and representation: Ensuring VCFSE voices are heard in ICS governance and decision-making processes.
Sector influence on system enablers: Enhancing the sector’s role in commissioning, procurement, workforce development, and research.
Building relationships with provider collaboratives: Fostering collaborations to improve patient flow, mental health services, and community engagement.
Ensuring effective communication: Developing robust communication strategies to keep the VCFSE sector informed and engaged.
Scaling up VCFSE roles: Expanding the sector’s involvement in acute trust patient flow, community mental health, cancer alliance delivery, and other critical areas.
Developing volunteering and carer support: Promoting system-wide volunteering efforts and support for carer organisations.
Research and innovation: Collaborating with research organisations to secure funding and develop innovative solutions.
The transformation programme is making good progress and continues to look for opportunities to build on this work to ensure the VCFSE sector plays a vital role in enhancing health and wellbeing in Cheshire and Merseyside.
A policy and secretariat support function is provided by VSNW.
Please contact cmhcl@vsnw.org.uk for more information.
