🏆 The VSNW Funding & Commissioning Awards are back for 2025! Know a commissioner or funder who’s gone the extra mile to support the North West’s VCFSE sector? Nominations are open now – share your story and help shape the future ⬇️ www.vsnw.org.uk/news/2025/8/...

It's #VolunteersWeek and we're celebrating all the amazing people who give their time and energy to support others. Volunteers really are the heart of the community, thank you for everything you do. Enjoy your week!

Save the date for #DoWith North West, hosted by VSNW & The King’s Fund. 🗓 Monday 14 July 🕙 10am–12:30pm 📍 St Thomas Centre, Manchester, M12 6FZ Join the conversation on how we move from theory to practice. More details coming soon!

📣 Applications are now open! Mental Health internships available for adult service users (past 3–5 years) or informal carers in #GreaterManchester to get involved in research. 30 flexible days’ training, mentoring & support. Apply by 16th May 2025 👉 bit.ly/3wAnv82

🌍 Want to show the true value of what your organisation does? Our Social Value resource page is full of helpful tools to help you tell your story and make your case. Have a look here ➡️ www.vsnw.org.uk/socialvalue

💬 “Talking about the unthinkable” is a powerful read exploring how we bring lived experience into challenging conversations. Take a look here ➡️ www.vsnw.org.uk/news/2025/4/...

Happy monday! Why don't you start your week with this guidance on strengthening co-production with lived experience in Greater Manchester 👇 🔗https://www.vsnw.org.uk/news/2025/4/16/new-greater-manchester-guidance-champions-lived-experience-in-policy

We are excited to invite you to our online workshop on 10th June to hear more about including the voice of lived experience in policy making – why it’s important and hear about how you can adopt the practice. www.vcfseleadershipgm.org.uk/news-and-eve...

“Cancer is a subject that doesn’t bear thinking about – yet 900,000+ workers are living with it.” Our Answer Cancer coordinator teamed up with GM Good Employment Charter to talk tough truths, workplace wellbeing, and why screening matters. www.gmgoodemploymentcharter.co.uk/blogs/posts/...

Why is it important to include the voice of lived experience in policy making? Chair of the GM Ethnic Communities Network and GM VCFSE Leadership Group member, Atiha Chaudry, shares her thoughts 👇

A new briefing by @vsnw.bsky.social is for community organisations wanting to understand and respond to the consultation on the governments welfare reforms. Now is the time to act and shape the future of health and disability benefits. www.vsnw.org.uk/news/2025/3/...

Missed this? We broke down the proposed benefit changes and what they mean for our communities. Stay informed 👇 www.vsnw.org.uk/news/2025/3/...

🆕 The Greater Manchester Equality Alliance (GM=EqAl) have developed a shared set of principles to ensure the voice of lived experience is heard in policymaking. 👇 www.vcfseleadershipgm.org.uk/resources/including-lived-experience

Read my reflections on the Research Engagement Network Pan North West event last Thursday! So inspiring to hear community voices and to see the impact of research engagement! 🙌 If you're based in the North West, join the @bridge-nw.bsky.social testing phase to get involved!

VCFSE organisations play a key role in supporting communities. With proposed benefit reforms under consultation, our latest briefing helps organisations understand what’s changing and how they can share their insights. Read more 👇 www.vsnw.org.uk/news/2025/3/...

Strengthening research engagement starts with community-led collaboration! Frankie shares key takeaways from last week's Pan North West event, highlighting inspiring projects & how we can make research more inclusive. Read more in our latest blog post 👇 www.vsnw.org.uk/news/2025/3/...

We stand with @thekingsfund.bsky.social in championing the #DoWith approach. Shifting power, sharing resources, and working with communities to create lasting change. Collaboration is the future of public services. Learn more 👇 www.kingsfund.org.uk/insight-and-...

📢 A new volunteering website has been launched for #Cheshire & #Warrington, making it easier than ever to find volunteering opportunities in the area. Whether you want to gain skills, give back, or connect with your community, it starts here 👇 www.vsnw.org.uk/news/2025/3/...

Our NHS colleagues are facing huge challenges with the latest cuts to ICBs. We stand with them and offer our full support to navigate these changes together. We remain committed to strengthening community-focused care 💙 Read more 👇 www.vsnw.org.uk/news/2025/3/...

Young people’s voices matter! The Government is shaping a new National Youth Strategy, and they need input from 10 to 21-year-olds (up to 25 with SEND). Encourage the young people you support to have their say before 16th April! Take the survey 👇 iwill.org.uk/NYS-Deliver-You

For mental health and wellbeing support tailored to you, visit the new kindtoyourmind.org website. Built exclusively to support people living and working in Cheshire & Merseyside with a range of services and resources on offer #KindToYourMind #Mentalhealth #Wellbeing

🚺 Did you know, women make up 68% of the UK's VCFSE sector workforce? This #IWD2025, we celebrate these incredible women driving change in communities across the North West and beyond 🌍💜

📢 VCFSE orgs in Cheshire & Merseyside! Need help proving your impact? Join our Health Economics Masterclass for expert evaluation support from UCLan & Lancaster Uni. 📈 Improve impact measurement 💡 Strengthen funding applications Apply ⬇️ www.vsnw.org.uk/news/2025/2/...

Our team is on the way to the Convention of the North! We're excited to represent the VCFSE sector, championing the vital role of communities in shaping the North’s future. See you there! #ConventionOfTheNorth #VCFSE

We want to wish congratulations to Cathy Elliott on her appointment as Chief Executive of NHS Cheshire & Merseyside! With her dedication to the #VCFSE sector, we look forward to even stronger partnerships for better health & wellbeing. Read more 👇 www.vsnw.org.uk/news/2025/2/...

We’re excited to announce that we have officially moved back into the St Thomas Centre! This iconic building has long been a vital space for the sector. With its future secured, we’re looking forward to working together to strengthen this community resource 🏡 stthomascentre.org.uk?gad_source=1...

Exciting new research and engagement opportunities are available for community organisations in Cheshire and Merseyside, as well as across the North West! Find out how you can participate 👇 www.vsnw.org.uk/news/2025/2/...

🆓 We are pleased to offer a community-powered health research training programme in partnership with Mabadiliko CIC. This free, online course is designed for VCFSE organisations in Cheshire & Merseyside, equipping them with the skills to engage in and influence health research.

This is your chance to influence how health data is used for research. Monthly online meetings, £50 per session, and a real opportunity to make a difference. Interested? Apply now:

📢 @gm-vcfse-leaders.bsky.social has issued an open letter to commissioners, calling for urgent action to protect the voluntary, community, faith & social enterprise sector from systemic financial pressures. Read more: 🔗 https://buff.ly/41fI1M0

Want to have a say in how health data is used? The North West Research SDE is looking for public members to join its advisory group. No experience needed—just your perspective

The NHS's latest plans highlight the importance of prevention and early intervention. The VCFSE sector already leads in this—so how do we make sure we’re at the table? Read our initial thoughts 👇

The NHS has set out its 2025/26 priorities—what does this mean for the VCFSE sector? More local control, growing financial pressures, and a bigger role in prevention. Read our take 👇 www.vsnw.org.uk/news/2025/2/...

We are taking part in #REW25, a week where organisations and employees across the country unite by taking action to address race inequality in the workplace #EveryActionCounts Join the movement ⬇️ bit.ly/race-equalit...

📢 Greater Manchester secures £630m devolution settlement – what does this mean for civil society? This funding gives local leaders more control, but how will it support communities & the VCFSE sector? A quick breakdown ⬇️ assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/679b41...

Did you know that on our new website you can filter our resources by theme and type so you can easily find what you're interested in. All the featured resources are designed to support our sector to carry out its work. Find them here:

Happy Lunar New Year! 🏮✨We are wishing everyone in the North West, and beyond, a joyful and prosperous Year of the Snake!🐍May this year bring wisdom, transformation, and success to all... ❤️

A dedicated website has launched to provide vital resources for suicide prevention in Cheshire and Merseyside. Let's continue to raise awareness and support mental health together. Read more ⬇️ www.vsnw.org.uk/news/2025/1/...

Our new website brings together resources designed to support our sector to carry out its work. Why not take a look! 👇 www.vcfseleadershipgm.org.uk/resources

Local control over housing, transport, skills, and more sounds great – but where is the voice of the VCFSE sector in the English Devolution White Paper? #CivilSociety Let’s ensure communities are at the heart of decision-making⬇️ www.vsnw.org.uk/news/2025/1/...

💼 Reforms like merging JobCentre Plus & National Careers Service could transform employment support – but where’s the VCFSE voice? Read about the sector's role in shaping change: www.vsnw.org.uk/news/2025/1/... #EmploymentSupport #VCFSE

🚨 The English Devolution White Paper is here! Power is moving closer to communities – but what does this mean for civil society? Let’s make sure grassroots voices are heard. Read more⬇️ www.vsnw.org.uk/news/2025/1/... #Devolution

🚨 Last chance! Applications close soon for our Communications & Policy Officer role. Join us to ensure the sector plays an integral role in the development of the Greater Manchester. 📝 Apply now: vsnw.org.uk/jobs 💡 Know someone perfect for the role? Share this!

It's almost time to wish you a Happy New Year! 🎉 So, start 2025 on the right note—our next quarterly bulletin is almost here. Stay informed with the latest insights, news, and updates. 📨 Sign up now 👇 www.vsnw.org.uk/publications

🔎 Spotlight on @mancitycouncil.bsky.social Our Manchester Funds team! Winners of Outstanding Commissioner – Local Authority at our VSNW Awards 2024, they’ve shown incredible dedication to supporting Manchester’s VCFSE sector! Read more about why they stood out ⬇️

The UKSPF allocations for 2025-26 bring exciting opportunities for the North West! But real success will come from partnerships with the VCFSE sector, which knows our communities best🤝 Read more and join the conversation ⬇️ www.vsnw.org.uk/news/2024/12... #UKSPF #NorthWest

💡 Building trust, breaking barriers, and creating opportunities—exactly what the Cheshire & Merseyside Research Engagement Network is doing! See how we’re reshaping health & care research engagement ⬇️ www.vsnw.org.uk/news/2024/12/17/publication-of-the-cheshire-and-merseyside-ren-impact-report

We welcome the Labour government’s commitment to devolution but want to emphasise the importance of integrating the VCFSE sector into delivery models to address local needs, particularly in rural areas, and ensure no community is left behind. @vsnwescadale.bsky.social gives his thoughts ⬇️

📢 UK Shared Prosperity Fund allocations for 2025-26 are out – but what does this mean for the North West? Find out how these investments will support growth, skills, and communities across our region 👇 www.vsnw.org.uk/news/2024/12...

Why does the VCFSE sector often feel like the "silent partner" in national conversations? Despite driving real change locally, we're sidelined too often. It’s time to demand recognition! 💪 Read more in our new blog from @vsnwescadale.bsky.social 👇