Dear Colleagues,
These are challenging times indeed, bringing swingeing changes.
In March, the government announced a major overhaul of the benefits system, with the aim of cutting welfare spending. As the time got closer to vote, it became clear that many ministers did not agree on the changes, and the government was forced to make several concessions.
Fast forward to July and the government has now made a U-turn on scrapping disability benefits with the timing of the proposed changes to Personal Independence Payments (PIP) delayed until November 2026.
We know that NHS England is being abolished with many of its functions being brought into Health and Social Care. Additionally, this week, it has been announced that over 200 bodies responsible for overseeing and running parts of the NHS in England will be scrapped. This includes Healthwatch England, which was set up in 2012 to advocate on behalf of patients and to advise ministers when services could be improved.
The new NHS 10-Year Plan, within which the VCSEF sector will have a fundamental role, has just been published here. It outlines key reforms across prevention, primary and community care, and integrated neighbourhood working.
It has been widely publicised that there will be a shift from analogue to digital, treatment to prevention and hospital to community. This is seen as essential for the health service to tackle illness caused by the ageing population and lifestyle-related diseases such as obesity.
What does this mean for the VCSEF sector?
We are seen as a trusted voice within communities and a key partner in delivering health and care services. The NHS 10-Year Plan emphasises the role of the VCSEF in supporting patients’ social and emotional needs as part of holistic care and there may be opportunities for the VCSEF sector to feedback on community issues and to contribute to service design.
However, we are coming under increasing strain to maximise resources and maintain our services within reducing budgets. There is an expectation, within the plan, that funding and resources will be directed towards community health initiatives, which can support VCSEF projects that are aligned with the NHS vision. We will keep an eye on developments nationally and locally.
Coming up over the next couple of weeks, we have a couple of jointly run workshops providing opportunities to maximise partnership working and resources, pool ideas, knowledge and experience as follows:
Community Activation Workshop (Supporting people and communities to take action and look after each other) at 9.30-12.30 on Thursday, 10th July at Bob Jones Community Hub.
➡️ More Details
Working with the VCSEF to Improve the Emotional Health and Wellbeing of Children and Young People Workshop at 9.15-12 on Tuesday, 15th July at Bob Jones Community Hub.
➡️ More Details
Remember to check out our website and newsletter regularly – there is always new information, and opportunities are always presenting themselves.
If there are any issues that you would like to raise or anything that you would like to hear more about, please contact me.
Thank you,
Sharon Nanan-Sen
Chief Executive Officer