Reflections from NHS Confed Expo 2025
Duncan
VSNW Board Member and We Are Survivors Chief Executive, Duncan Craig OBE, attended this year’s NHS Confed Expo and has shared with us his reflections.
As you know, NHS Confed Expo has taken place over the last two days. Whilst it’s impossible to give you a complete breakdown of everything, I can give you my thoughts and summary (as a delegate) that may help you think about the direction of travel within your organisation in regard to health.
The NHS Confederation is the membership organisation that brings together, supports and speaks for the whole healthcare system in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Members include Hospitals, Trusts, NHS providers, and the VCFSE.
A powerful start
The opening of the Confed, by Lord Victor Adebowale, set the tone for the two days. Lord Adebowale uncomfortably acknowledged the pending change within NHS and NHS England and what that means for staff, which very much put a heaviness in the air.
“And let’s be really honest for a moment – with changes at NHS England and across services, we know some of you won’t be here next year. There might not be roles for you, despite our experience and dedication to our communities. And for that I’m sorry, so I want to thank you now whilst I have the chance, for all that you have done for the health and care of others. We don’t take it for granted.”
As Victor closed the welcome, he talked about valuing people, and all people. He gave a moving example of this in talking about a close family member who passed away at the age of 92 very recently and how she was a nurse for so many years but her passing was not the dignified death it should have been.
“She got a black service, not an NHS service. So I have to address the inequity that still exists within the NHS, in terms of the experiences that people who look like me continue to receive. It just hasn't got any better. It is not acceptable that someone who looks like me, on average waits 20 minutes longer in A&E than white patients. To achieve an inclusive, equitable NHS we need an inclusive equitable culture from top to bottom.”
He then went on to say “and when I say valuing people, I mean everyone. I stand with my trans colleagues, and our trans patients in these incredibly uncertain times. Trans and non-binary staff are facing more bullying, more discrimination from patients, more unwanted sexual behaviour, more physical violence from colleagues and more physical violence from patients than our cisgender and heterosexual staff. If you allow it to happen once, you allow it to happen everywhere. This is utterly unacceptable behaviour and does not belong anywhere, let alone in the NHS.”.
The welcome address set the tone for me, and many others I met throughout the day, about being brave and having honest conversations.
A focus on tech
There is no doubt in my mind that “how can tech help health and how can health engage tech” was the overwhelming theme of Confed, whether that was on purpose/by design or whether that is the direction of travel and so the expo is showing a natural growth, is debatable. But it certainly makes me reflect on how is the VCFSE part of this digital health revolution? Is the NHS asking the VCFSE where it’s up to? How can the two entities be equal partners in shaping a future health system that involves tech appropriately but also be daring together?
Standout sessions
There were some fascinating main stage sessions – highlights for me included:
Wes Streeting’s speech
And then the one that kind of everyone wanted to hear was Secretary of State for Health, Rt Hon Wes Streeting, who gave his keynote on day two. The key take-aways for me from what the Secretary of State had to say were:
He is wholly supportive and wants to encourage tech involvement and innovation in health and social care.
He 100% wants to assure us all that the NHS is always going to be a people business.
He wants us all to be cautious and take a considered tentative approach to private investment.
And he recognises the NHS has been built on the hard work and effort of people born outside of the UK (stating its not a coincidence that NHS was built when Windrush docked) and it will always continue to be a diverse organisation; but that we can’t keep taking staff from other countries (especially those on the WHO red list) as its not ethical or in the best interests of mankind and we have to invest in and build our own, citing the example of getting a large number of extra GPs in as there was plenty that were unemployed.
The missing piece
Talking to some other VCFSE Leaders from around England and Wales, we all had a consensus that it was disappointing that he didn’t really talk about the VCFSE despite talking about hospital to community; and there was not enough recognition of the breath of resource in the VCFSE.
Men’s health left out
The NHS 10 Year Plan is due out soon and so those of us working with victims of RASSO have to ensure that not only do we work hard with officials to make the criminal justice system a better place for victims/survivors; but that we reach out to NHS/DHSC and work out how we keep the HEALTH of victims/survivors as a high priority.
Personally, I was disappointed that the Secretary of State didn’t even make a comment on the men’s health strategy but, I also appreciate that there is always something left out – I just wonder why it always has to be that which is connected to be betterment of male survivors.
However, all is not lost and the changes in the health system and a new plan pending, it is our responsibility to help deliver on the plans and ensure male survivors are not forgotten about.
Save the date for #DoWith North West
Hosted by Voluntary Sector North West and The King’s Fund
Monday 14 July 2025
10:00am – 12:30pm
St Thomas Centre, Ardwick Green North, Manchester M12 6FZ
We want your voice to shape the next steps of the #DoWith movement in the North West. We’re bringing people together from across sectors to ask: How do we make the shift to a real ‘Do With’ approach, not just in theory, but in practice?
This event is designed to gather your reflections, challenges, and ideas. There’ll be a few short talks to inspire thinking, but most of the time will be spent in meaningful table discussions.
The full agenda and registration link are coming soon. For now, please save the date and get ready to join the conversation.
Opportunity: Help shape better support for neurodivergent children and young people across Cheshire & Merseyside
Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) organisations are invited to express interest in delivering training as part of a new neurodiversity pathway for children, young people and families across Cheshire and Merseyside.
Funded through the Beyond Programme, the training aims to build a consistent understanding of a needs-led approach and a newly established profiling tool among professionals in health, education, and family services.
Two delivery lots are available:
Lot 1: Regular training sessions for professionals (12-month programme; £14,000).
Lot 2: Online information sessions for families and carers (46 sessions; £3,000).
Training resources and support will be provided, with delivery expected from June 2025 to May 2026, and potential for a 12-month extension.
Expressions of interest (max 500 words) must be submitted by 5pm, Thursday 22 May 2025 to alison.cullen@vsnw.org.uk.
For any questions, please contact:
alison.cullen@vsnw.org.uk, dave.packwood@vsnw.org.uk or philip.thomas@cheshireandmerseyside.nhs.uk
New letter makes the case for VCFSE sector as NHS local health and care functions are reviewed
Representatives from the 42 voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) Alliances operating across England are working together to make the case for the sector in local health and care.
Ahead of formally launching later this year, the interim Alliance42 steering group, which VSNW’s Chief Executive sits on for the North West, has written to the new Chair of NHS England, Dr Penny Dash, and members of the national working group reviewing the functions of local Integrated Care Systems and Boards (ICBs). The review comes following the announcement last month of the abolition of NHS England and significant cuts to local ICBs.
Warren Escadale, VSNW Chief Executive, said:
“We understand our submission has been positively received. However, the proof will be in the updated functions of an ICB which are due out in the next few weeks. We hope that Alliance42, connecting to VCFSE groups in every local health system, can be a powerful voice for our sector’s role in health and care nationally. The aim is that the sector is recognised and invested in as a must-have full partner. It won’t be easy and this is just the first step.”
The Alliance42 steering group consists of agreed representatives from each NHS region, nominated by 42 VCFSE Alliances in England – partnerships of VCFSE organisations with the aim of strengthening the sector's voice, influence, and involvement by leveraging their strengths. They have written the letter ahead of Government publishing a new operating model for ICBs next month, asking that the convening power of VCFSE Alliances are fundamental to underpinning ICBs.
The letter calls for the revised ICB operating model to ensure the VCFSE sector is included as a full partner in shaping strategy, governance and in the delivery of that strategy, with ICBs continuing as a systems convenor. This means bringing together cross-sector partners and organisations.
Highlighted in the letter is the substantial contribution of local VCFSE groups and networks to healthy neighbourhoods, as well as the sector’s offer around supporting the work of the NHS, helping to tackle and prevent health inequality. It is vital that the sector is seen as a fundamental building block of medium- and long-term improvement to ensure people are best supported. Moreover, investment in the VCFSE sector presents a clear opportunity for strategic commissioning for the creation of social value.
Our sector’s passion, innovation and values-driven approaches need to be better embraced if we are going to create an effective, integrated, collective culture for improving health and care in all our communities.
Read the full letter here.
New Greater Manchester guidance champions lived experience in policy
We asked members of GM Equality Alliance to share why they think it’s important to include the voices of lived experience in policy making. Find out what Circle Steele, CEO, Wai Yin Society, had to say.
Greater Manchester Equality Alliance (GM=EqAl) has published a new guide for public sector partners on how to meaningfully include lived experience in policymaking.
The guidance, developed as part of the VCFSE Accord’s equalities workstream, is packed with practical advice, from co-production and inclusive engagement to fair remuneration for people sharing their time and expertise. It encourages organisations to go beyond one-off consultations and really embed community voices into the heart of how decisions are made.
Jules Palfreyman, Chair of GM=EqAl, said: “We are really proud of this piece of work… We really hope that it will be useful but more importantly effective in embedding the voice of lived experience in decision-making.”
This is a timely and valuable resource for anyone looking to strengthen their approach to working with communities. It reflects what many of us in the North West VCFSE sector have been championing for years, that policies and services work best when they’re shaped by the people most affected by them.
You can access the full guidance and a summary version on the VCFSE Leadership GM website.
Talking about the unthinkable
Our Answer Cancer Project Coordinator, Jacqui Naraynsingh, has written a blog post for the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter, to discuss the importance of workplace support for cancer screening.
It highlights that over 900,000 people in the UK workforce are living with cancer, with 28% reporting minimal or no support from their employers.
The Bee Seen, Get Screened campaign encourages employers to pledge support by guaranteeing paid time off or flexible working for NHS cancer screening appointments, raising awareness about health and wellbeing, and fostering open conversations about cancer and screening. Over 145 businesses in Greater Manchester have already signed up, benefiting nearly 150,000 employees.
Read the blog, Talking about the Unthinkable, on the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter website.
Understanding the proposed benefit changes
The UK government has launched the Pathways to Work Green Paper, proposing major reforms to health and disability benefits. With a public consultation now underway, these changes could have significant consequences for low-income and vulnerable communities.
The green paper aims to reduce the rising number of people claiming health-related benefits, but concerns have been raised about potential income losses for vulnerable individuals. While some proposals offer better employment support, others restrict eligibility for financial assistance, sparking debate.
For voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise (VCFSE) organisations across the North West, who work tirelessly to combat poverty and support employment and training, these changes are deeply concerning. Many will want to engage in the consultation process to ensure the voices of their communities are heard.
Our briefing outlines the key elements of the consultation, highlights areas not covered, and provides guidance on how VCFSE organisations can contribute effectively. Now is the time to act and shape the future of health and disability benefits.
What’s in the briefing?
The briefing outlines:
Key themes of the consultation, including benefit system reforms, employment support, and employer responsibilities.
How to respond effectively, emphasising evidence over opinion.
Alternative approaches, such as public campaigning and political engagement.
The full list of consultation questions to help organisations shape their responses.
With the consultation open until Monday 30 June, this briefing serves as a vital tool for VCFSE organisations looking to ensure their communities’ voices are heard.
Pan North West: Strengthening research engagement and collaboration
Francesca McIntosh at the event promoting BRIDGE
Last week, the Pan North West event took place in Manchester, bringing together researchers, healthcare professionals, and community organisations to strengthen collaboration and engagement. In this blog post, our Research and Communications Coordinator, Francesca McIntosh, shares her insights and key takeaways from the event.
As the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise research coordinator for Cheshire and Merseyside and the creator of the BRIDGE Research Network, I had the privilege of working alongside the Research Engagement Network teams across the North West to organise a pan North West event, a day filled with powerful discussions, shared experiences, and a collective drive to make research more inclusive and community-led. The energy in the room was inspiring, and it was clear that everyone was committed to breaking down barriers and ensuring that research truly serves all communities.
The day began with insightful presentations that highlighted the importance of research engagement at both a national and regional level. Alice Williams from NHS England provided a national perspective on the ICS Research Engagement Network programme, emphasising the role research plays in improving health outcomes, job satisfaction for health and care staff, and the wider economy.
She shared compelling data demonstrating that research-active hospitals deliver better care and that for every £1 invested in research, there is a £19 return to the wider economy. However, she also stressed that research must be representative of all communities, as disparities in clinical trials can lead to treatments that don’t work as well for some groups. This was a crucial reminder that research must be shaped by and for the people it aims to serve.
Teams from Cheshire & Merseyside, Greater Manchester, and Lancashire & South Cumbria shared how they are working to increase diversity in research participation and tackle systemic barriers. It was particularly encouraging to see how different regions are developing community-led research projects, focusing on mental health inequalities, data accessibility, and inclusive engagement strategies.
For me, one of the most powerful aspects of the event was hearing directly from diverse communities about their experiences with research. Some of the projects that stood out included:
The Deaf Village in Blackburn, where community members shared the challenges deaf individuals face in research and healthcare. Their insights reinforced the need for specialist interpreters, inclusive communication tools, and culturally appropriate engagement.
Streetlife in Blackpool, where innovative comedy-based workshops have been used to encourage research participation in a way that feels safe and empowering.
Inspire Women Oldham, who are building confidence in research through peer-led initiatives. The StrongHer Together project showcased how women can take ownership of research and shape studies that directly impact their health and wellbeing.
To learn more about these initiatives and explore all projects shared at the event, you can view the presentation slides here.
Making research more accessible
A recurring theme in discussions was the need to remove jargon and acronyms that can make research feel inaccessible. Many of us agreed that clearer communication is needed so that more people can understand and engage with research opportunities.
There was also a push for greater visibility of ongoing projects, so organisations can identify similar work happening elsewhere and collaborate rather than duplicate efforts. Integrated Care Boards were encouraged to use and share data more effectively, ensuring that research is driven by real-world evidence.
Addressing barriers and supporting community researchers
A major discussion point was how funding processes sometimes create competition rather than collaboration. We need to move towards a collective approach to securing resources, ensuring that research is done with communities, not to them.
Many attendees also called for affordable and accessible training courses to help community members become researchers, rather than always relying on external experts. There was a clear message that we need to develop researchers from within underrepresented groups, making lived experience a central part of research design. Training should also be available in various formats to accommodate different learning styles.
Technology access was also raised- something as simple as having a laptop can determine whether someone can participate in research. We need to address these resource gaps to make research more equitable and inclusive.
The role of BRIDGE Research Network
Throughout the event, BRIDGE Research Network, was mentioned as a potential solution to many of these challenges. BRIDGE was developed by VSNW with support and influence by both community voices and the research infrastructure across the north west coast.
BRIDGE provides a collaborative space for sharing research opportunities, showcasing good practice, finding research partners, and openly discussing the struggles that come with research engagement. There was a strong appetite for using BRIDGE to create and share resources, making it easier for organisations to learn from one another.
One of the biggest takeaways was the need for tangible evidence of research impact. We often hear that research is important, but communities need to see the difference it makes. BRIDGE can help VCFSE organisations work with researchers to demonstrate real-world benefits, from policy change to better service delivery.
Moving forward together
Research is at its best when it is community-led and co-designed. The voices and insights shared reinforced the importance of putting people at the heart of research, ensuring they are not just participants but active partners in shaping the research agenda.
As we move forward, I am excited to continue working on BRIDGE Research Network and our partners to make research more inclusive, collaborative, and impactful. This event was a fantastic step in the right direction, and I look forward to seeing how these discussions shape the future of research engagement in the North West.
A huge thank you to everyone who contributed- let’s now keep the conversation going and make sure research works for everyone!
New Volunteering Hub for Cheshire and Warrington
A new website has been launched to support volunteering in Cheshire and Warrington, giving people easy access to a wide range of opportunities across the area, whilst providing a shared space for volunteer-involving organisations.
Cheshire West Voluntary Action (CWVA), Community & Voluntary Services (CVS) Cheshire East and Warrington Voluntary Action (VA) came together to launch the platform, as part of the Cheshire and Merseyside VCFSE Health and Care Transformation Programme, led by VSNW and coordinated through the Cheshire and Warrington Infrastructure Network (CWIP).
Now people in Cheshire and Warrington have a central place to start their volunteering search, showcasing almost 250 different opportunities in the region. It makes it easier for people to connect with causes that match their experiences and interests, contributing to their wellbeing, skill development and sense of community.
Alison Cullen, who co-ordinated the volunteering hub on behalf of CWIP, said: "The Cheshire and Warrington volunteer platform gives people more choice to quality volunteer opportunities across the area and is the start of a coordinated approach to volunteering. Bringing the three CVSs together will further encourage, develop and promote good practice in volunteering. It shows our shared vision that truly values volunteering and the benefits volunteering brings to people in all aspects of life.”
CWVA, CVS Cheshire East and Warrington VA continue to support community organisations in their local areas with accessing and advertising their volunteering opportunities on the volunteering hub.
The platform works in a similar way to the existing Liverpool City Region volunteering hub, which you can find here.
You can find out more about the organisations involved and the Cheshire and Merseyside VCFSE Health and Care Transformation Programme, from the following websites: · CWVA website · CVS Cheshire East website · Warrington VA website · CWIP · VSNW (including C&M VCFSE Health and Care Transformation Programme)