New report highlights VCFSE sector’s central role in health and care
As the NHS sets out its 10 Year Health Plan, a new report reveals that many of its key ambitions are already being delivered in Cheshire and Merseyside thanks to the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector.
The report looks back on the first three years of a region-wide transformation programme, led by Voluntary Sector North West (VSNW) and funded by NHS Cheshire and Merseyside. It shows how local VCFSE organisations are already playing a vital role in prevention, supporting care closer to home and helping the health system better understand and respond to community need.
Working together
Through the VCFSE Alliance, made up of the Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Leaders Group, the VS6 Partnership and Cheshire and Warrington Infrastructure Partnership , the programme has made it easier for organisations to work together locally and across the wider health and care system. This has enabled the sector to contribute collectively to neighbourhood health models, mental health transformation, hospital discharge planning, volunteering, research, and more.
Warren Escadale, Chief Executive of VSNW, said: “The 10 Year Health Plan sets out a clear ambition to build a preventative, community-centred health system and our report shows that this isn’t a distant goal, it’s already happening here in Cheshire and Merseyside.
“When the sector is recognised as a genuine partner, we see better outcomes for people, smarter use of resources and a stronger, fairer system. What’s made this possible is the way the programme has brought the sector together through our VCFSE Alliance strengthening infrastructure at place and system level so we can work collectively and achieve more than any one organisation could alone.”
Making change happen
The programme’s work is already aligned with some of the NHS 10 Year Plan’s most urgent goals, including:
Prevention – Through work with the Cheshire and Merseyside Cancer Alliance, VCFSE organisations have supported early cancer detection by engaging communities least likely to access mainstream services.
Neighbourhood health – The programme’s Place Transformation Fund has helped embed VCFSE organisations into local neighbourhood models, supporting joint priorities like dementia, SEND, and mental health.
Care closer to home – VCFSE led hospital discharge models, such as Healthy & Home, are offer people more personalised support based on their needs, helping them recover safely at home while easing pressure on hospital beds, alongside region-wide adoption of the Carers Charter to recognise and support unpaid carers.
Better use of data – Through the Data into Action programme, community organisations are beginning to access and apply data to better target support for those most at risk.
Inclusion and equity – Projects like BRIDGE and Phoenix Way are connecting diverse communities into research and co-production, ensuring services reflect a wider range of lived experience.
Cathy Elliott, Chief Executive of NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, said: “NHS Cheshire and Merseyside welcomes the 10 Year Health Plan for England and the opportunity to build models of neighbourhood health for the future. Working in partnership with the VCFSE sector will be key to delivering the priorities of the 10 Year Health Plan – especially neighbourhood healthcare.”
What’s next
As the programme enters its next phase in 2025–2026, it will continue to focus on embedding the VCFSE in neighbourhood health, developing prevention-first models and supporting the sector to engage meaningfully in data, commissioning and strategic planning.
For more information, contact cmhcl@vsnw.org.uk or download the full report.