Learning Matters Health and Care Awards 2017

As part of the joint regional award programme and learning campaign between Voluntary Sector North West (VSNW) and Health Education England (HEE), the Learning Matters Awards celebrates all kinds of learning across the health and care sector.

The nominations they reviewed reflected a diversity of people and projects in the NHS, local authorities, the voluntary and private sector. They encompassed clinicians, carers, patients and the public in both paid and volunteer roles. They featured people taking their first steps into work and education, those who tirelessly volunteer year after year and people who selflessly and skilfully support the development of others.

The awards are part of a cross sector adult learning campaign which recognises the contribution that adult learning makes to individual, community and economic wellbeing as well as the continued development of the health and care sector. The overarching theme is simple: lifelong learning is good for people, organisations and health.

This publications includes an overview of the Learning Matters campaign as well as profiles of the winners.

Devolution and Beyond: essays on the voluntary sector's role in an inclusive devolution agenda

Three years since Devolution, Our Devolution, this compilation of essays, Devolution and Beyond, from leading thinkers and operators in devolution explores the current context for the voluntary, community, and social enterprise sector. 

With six combined authority mayoral elections in May 2017, this is a pivotal time for the devolution agenda - and if it is to be an inclusive one, it is vital that the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector is playing a leading role. These essays, from both within the sector and out, explore how this can be achieved.

With contributions from: 

• Mike Wild (Macc)
• Ceri Hughes and Ruth Lupton (Inclusive Growth Analysis Unit)
• Gill Bainbridge (Merseyside Youth Association)
• Fay Selvan (Big Life Group)
• Atif Shafique (Royal Society of the Arts)
• Neil McInroy (Centre for Local Economic Strategies)
• Sean Anstee (Greater Manchester Combined Authority)
• Simone Spray (42nd Street)
• Garth Hodgkinson (Community CVS)
• Carolyn Otley (Cumbria Third Sector Network)
• Kathy Evans (Children England)
• Jim McMahon MP (Shadow Minister for Local Government and Devolution)

EU Funding and Brexit Briefing for Liverpool City Region

Warren Escadale and Sam Popper

Following the implementation of Brexit, what is the likely impact of lost investment and delivery, and how can the case be made for future investment in driving inclusive growth?

Sector expertise lies in connecting mainstream delivery to those furthest from mainstream support and furthest from employment. It also lies in providing tailored, person-centric approaches to tackling multiple barriers and building confidence.

We calculate that if investment in inclusive growth and VCFSE involvement in delivery ended in the City Region…

• Over 13,400 of the hardest to reach people acrossthe City Region will lose out on life-changing support. This will cost the City Region at least £56.3m per year in lost GVA.

• This includes additional welfare costs of at least £12m per year.

• We would lose a return on investment in VCFSE delivery in our City Region of £8 for every pound invested.

• Direct job losses in VCFSE organisations in the City Region would exceed 245.

• The City Region would lose out on significant additional inward investment in our most economically disadvantaged communities.

• In the light of extensive public sector cuts, it would become increasingly challenging for local organisations to remain financially viable. Additional indirect job losses would exceed 145.