Dear Colleagues,
These are challenging times. We are regularly hearing from the VCSEF sector that they are facing increasing demands within communities and from partners, yet they are struggling to win tenders, succeed with applications and secure funding.
Last week I met up with Heath Town Tenants and Residents Group at Tremont House; I thought it was a good idea to walk from town, but the rain was torrential, I got there in time for tea but missed the dominoes. It was great meeting up and hearing about the work they are all doing supporting residents and local people. They share information and are also providing walking and cycling groups. They are also working with other local community groups and are thinking of building on their connections and working in a more formal partnership.
We know that central government is pursuing a major reform of the NHS, wanting to shift the NHS to working and organising around neighbourhoods.
These are exactly the kinds of groups that we need to support and grow.
We also know that the core objectives of the NHS shift include:
- Providing care as locally as possible
- Emphasising early intervention
- Improving access/convenience
- Addressing health inequalities
- Shifting funding from hospitals to community care
To support this approach within Wolverhampton, the new model of care and strategy is Integrated Neighbourhood Teams (INTs) – multidisciplinary teams that bring together health and social care professionals and the VCSEF sector to work in a coordinated way.
With any large-scale change programme, there are always going to be significant challenges including budgetary and time pressures. Existing services in primary care and within the VCSEF are already under huge pressure. The VCSEF sector needs significant, targeted investment in community services and a rebalancing of the budget. There is also the risk that services may be organised and foisted upon people, neighbourhoods and communities rather than investing in community-led organisations and working in partnership.
Another central government initiative is the Civil Society Covenant which outlines a broad set of principles and a recognition by central government that the VCSEF sector is a trusted and much needed, independent partner. We know the government is looking to build a new partnership based on collaboration, mutual respect, and recognition of the value of civil society. Government knows that the VCSEF sector is key to rebuilding the country and delivering against the government’s 5 missions of:
- Kickstarting Economic Growth
- An NHS Fit for the Future
- Safer Streets
- Break Down Barriers to Opportunity
- Make Britain a Clean Energy Superpower
Currently, the Covenant is not a funding programme. It is working through policy to change how the state engages with the sector at local, regional and national level. How it aligns with prevention, place-based strategies and broader social and economic policies is less clear. Ideally, the Covenant should ensure that the VCSEF is recognised as a key part of the solution and part of that is recognising the need for funding, contracts and commissions in addition to influencing and partnership working. We will be working in partnership with the city council to ensure that the local covenant or compact reflects the needs of communities and the VCSEF sector.
It is more important now than ever that we work together in partnership and support each other.
If you would like more information, please 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