Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise Sector Alliance
Voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise organisations in Lancashire and South Cumbria have been working together over a number of years to build partnerships aiming to establish the sector is a valued partner within the health and care system.
This website is dedicated to and overseen by the partnership of voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) organisations with the support from NHS colleagues. The purpose of the site is to inform VCFSE organisations of the developments and activities the sector is undertaking together as a valued partner within the Lancashire and South Cumbria Health and Care Partnership.
Value of the VCFSE sector
The VCFSE sector is an important partner within the statutory health and social care system and plays a key role in improving health, well-being and care outcomes.
- Being close to communities, it is ideally placed to identify the assets, needs and aspirations of people using services
- It brings specialist expertise to public service delivery and is particularly well placed to support those with complex and multiple needs
- It focusses on early action, preventative services, equality, diversity and inclusion and wider social value.
- Proactive, able to quickly respond and bring in additional resources.
Local partnerships and the VCFSE Alliance
Partnerships of VCFSE organisations are in place in each of our five places of Lancashire and South Cumbria and a small group of leaders from these groups have met over the past two years. This leadership group has been known as the VCFSE Alliance.
Our shared vision as a VCFSE sector is to improve the lives of people in our communities across Lancashire and South Cumbria, by developing an effective transformative partnership between the Lancashire and South Cumbria Health and Care Partnership and the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise sector.
To be an effective transformation partner, the VCFSE sector across LSC will be Connected, Supported and Influential in health and care integration and beyond. We will utilise the strength, flexibility, responsiveness, innovation and knowledge of the sector to be a permanent transformation partner.
The VCFSE Alliance meets on a monthly to share information, to discuss challenges and how to solve them, to give feedback and updates on projects happening in the five localities and to coordinate our vision and strategies so we work together more effectively as a partnership.
The VCFSE Alliance is co-chaired by Tracy Hopkins (Fylde Coast Place-based Partnership VCFSE lead and Blackpool Health and Wellbeing Board representative) and Angela Allen (Blackburn with Darwen Health and Wellbeing Board representative). As chairs of the group, Tracy and Angela are valued representatives in Lancashire and South Cumbria Health and Care Partnership boards and committees.
Blogs
List of news
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Building bridges is easier than you think, but we can’t do it in the dark...
CEO, Citizens Advice Blackpool, Chair, VCFSE Leadership Group Blackpool, Wyre & Fylde - Tracy Hopkins
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It takes way, way more than two to Tango (and it’s not as glittery as Strictly)
Partnership Manager and Central Lancashire Local Plan Lead - Joe Hannett
This page provides a summary of the collaborative working taking place to build this important partnership. For further information please contact your local VCFSE lead here