Inclusive economy report published
The VCSE Leadership Group has published a discussion paper on 'Building Back Better' in Greater Manchester to create a more inclusive economy, together with the VCSE sector and the wider social economy. The report provides a range of successful, practical ideas and live examples which are likely to produce a more inclusive, green and localised economy. We are challenging Greater Manchester use these to put much greater emphasis on the social economy within its economic strategy.
Shielded & Vulnerable People's Assembly: Final Recommendations Published
Following on from a VCFSE Assembly on Shielded & Vulnerable People, the VS6 partnership has publish eight recommendations based on feedback from the event. A summary of these is shown above.
The VCFSE Shielded & Vulnerable People’s Assembly was attended by representatives from over 50 organisations from across the Liverpool City Region. Further events have been held regarding Mental Health and Inequalities and the results of these events will be published for consultation shortly.
The full list of recommendations can be found in the document below:
Building On: Finding a Better Way to Support Carers, and Shielded and Vulnerable People in LCR
Cheshire and Merseyside Health & Care Partnership Highlights role of VCFSE Sector
The Cheshire and Merseyside Health & Care Partnership has reaffirmed its appreciation and support for Cheshire and Merseyside’s Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) Sector by highlighting the indispensable role the sector has played in the region’s response to the Coronavirus pandemic.
In a written statement issued on behalf of the Partnership’s Chief Officer, Dr Jackie Bene, and Chief Executive of Voluntary Sector North West, Warren Escadale, the sector was praised for its “flexibility and ability to respond to rapidly changing situations while still delivering innovative solutions.”
Over 14,000 voluntary organisations, community groups and social enterprises are currently operating in Cheshire and Merseyside, employing over 33,000 staff and supporting over 275,000 volunteers and 280,000 informal carers.
It is this considerable number of VCFSE organisations, staff and volunteers that has enabled the quick and effective response to the challenges created by the pandemic. Over the last few months, the sector has supported communities by providing vital food deliveries, advice and advocacy, medicines collections, mental health support and much more.
Due to the sector’s deep-rooted presence in the community, this vital help has reached a number of groups who need it most, including those with disabilities, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities, homeless and rough sleepers, people on low incomes, and many, many more.
Read the Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership’s statement of support here, and for more information about the VCFSE sector’s role in the region’s Coronavirus response, read a detailed paper from the sector here.
GM VCSE Leadership Group BAME Statement
The Greater Manchester VCSE Leadership Group have issued a statement in support of the BAME community and BAME-led organisations across Greater Manchester.
You can read this statement here.
VSNW Trustee Recruitment
VSNW is seeking individuals with experience in the Voluntary Sector to join it’s Trustee board. You will be joining a range of people from various backgrounds across the VCSE sector who make up our current trustee board.
For more information on this role, please see the Trustee Role Profile and Person Specification. You can find out more about the work of VSNW here.
To apply please complete and return the following:
We particularly welcome applications from people living or working in Cumbria and Lancashire.
If you would like to discuss this role before applying, please contact VSNW CEO Warren Escadale at warren.escadale@vsnw.org.uk or 07753 14766.
NW Department for Work and Pensions Coronavirus Update
Headline statistics: 27% of the workforce had been furloughed across 6,150 businesses, the highest incidences of furloughing were in the accommodation and food service activities sector industry (40%) and construction (32%) industries, over 95% of firms that had furloughed anyone were interested in the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.
Latest information and resources:
Job Help and Employer Help offer labour market information for people looking for work now, and advice for employers to help recruit them.
New free online toolkit to boost workplace skills
The Skills Toolkit hosted on the gov.uk website, is a new online learning site that has been launched today (28 April) by Education Secretary Gavin Williamson. The new platform gives people access to free, high-quality digital and numeracy courses to help build up their skills, progress in work and boost their job prospects.
New guidance for Social Landlords on essential moves
Mandatory Reconsiderations - Customers who wish to challenge or dispute a benefit decision can find information on how to do this on gov.uk
Guidance for people with disabilities and health conditions on how to get help with benefits if you have accessibility needs
A new triage tool has been developed to support citizens if they feel they are struggling due to Coronavirus. It covers a range of circumstances including feeling unsafe, going in to work, paying bills or being unemployed, getting food, having somewhere to live and mental health and wellbeing. Users will not get direct support from the government or organisations through this service but will get contact details for services who can help.
Information for the Bereaved Coronavirus Leaflet shares important information to help bereaved families, friends or next of kin make important decisions during this national emergency and explains the next steps, answers some of your questions, and guides you to the extra help and support that is available.
Looking after your health and wellbeing, 6 May 11.30-12.00
Recruiting and retaining disabled people, 13 May, 11.30-12.00
Support for Domestic Abuse Victims: 24 hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline number – 0808 2000 247 – run by Refuge and www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk
Impact of the Pandemic – the Office of National Statistics has produced several sets of data
GM VCSE Leadership Group Statement
The Greater Manchester VCSE Leadership Group, for which VSNW Chief Executive Warren Escadale is the Independent Chair, have issued a statement relating to Covid-19 and the VCSE sector in Greater Manchester.
In addition it has also produced a COVID Response update/assessment document highlighting the action taken so far by the Leadership group on behalf of the sector during the current crisis, and the further steps it will be taking in the coming weeks and months.
Both documents can be accessed below.
Click here to download the GM VCSE Leadership Group Statement.
Click here to download the COVID Response update/assessment document.
You can find out more about the work of the Group by visiting their website: www.vcseleadershipgm.org.uk
Resources for VCSE Groups during Coronavirus
We all know that the way we work and provide services is likely to change for the foreseeable future. More services will be delivered online or by telephone, whilst remote working will mean more meetings will take place virtually. This is a significant change for many people and will require a period of adjustment.
Meanwhile we are seeing an upsurge in community volunteering, ranging from informal offers of support organised through Facebook groups, to Local Authority organised schemes. This is likely to increase as people come to terms with potentially being unable to work for weeks or even months.
Whilst this type of community-action is to be welcomed, it also brings with it challenges relating to safeguarding and management.
The following videos provide a brief guide on several issues which you may need to consider when volunteering or taking on volunteers.
Firstly, learn about safeguarding and how to make sure vulnerable service users are protected, along with those volunteering themselves, here.
Tips for volunteers and how to keep themselves and others safe can be found here.
Information on telephone befriending, how to set boundaries and make this work for both volunteers and services users is available here.
Advice for organisations about taking on and supporting volunteers can be found here.
Finally, a guide for organisations using video conferencing for the first time can be found here.
Let’s change the conversation around mental wellbeing across Greater Manchester
Tameside Oldham and Glossop Mind are hosting an engagement event about mental wellbeing. Please join to find out more about GM’s Connect 5 workforce training offer and Living Life To The Full self-help resources for the GM population.
Who is this event for?
Public sector commissioners, VCSE training providers and VCSE organisations who wish to train their service in C5.
Event Details
When: Thursday 12th March
Where: King’s House Conference Centre, King’s Church, Sidney Street, Manchester M1 7HB
What time: 13:00 - 16:30pm. Join us for lunch from 1pm.