August 2025

Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Voluntary Sector Network Update

‘Together for healthier communities’

The NHS 10 Year Plan Last month the NHS published its 10 Year Plan. This briefing from NAVCA is a great explanation of the voluntary sector perspective. It also gives more detail on the Three Core Shifts and how the sector can play in:

· From hospital to community

· From analogue to digital

· From sickness to prevention

The VSN Strategy Group has now had a chance to digest and has contributed to the response from the Alliance42 group. We will continue to contribute to these discussions and strongly make the case, locally and nationally, for the voluntary sector to be resourced and embedded throughout health planning and delivery.

ICB Transition Plans

It is now agreed that the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Integrated Care System (ICS) will be clustering with Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Luton and Miton Keynes. With such a large and diverse geography to cover there will clearly need to be a new approach to engaging with the voluntary sector. The VSN are involved in all of these conversations and working hard to make sure that the voice of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough VCSE sector is well represented in the new arrangements. Make sure you keep up with all the news from our ICS by signing up for their newsletters here: ICS Newsletter | CPICS Website

Neighbourhood Health

A new Neighbourhood Health programme has been launched by NHS England. This will try out new ways of working at a neighbourhood level and both our North and South Place are applying. The VSN is supportive of these applications and, alongside the CVSs, will make sure that our members have an opportunity to participate should either, or both, applications be successful.

The turnaround time is, as usual, scarily short but we are doing what we can in the time given. There are no resources attached and we are acutely aware that the VCSE will not necessarily have the capacity to contribute, should one of the applications be successful. The VSN is feeding back these points to NHS England through the Alliance42 group.

Work Well Opportunity

At our June meeting we heard from Rob Henchy about the personal budgets that are available to fund activities to support people. There is now a template on our webpage for VCSE groups to use to apply for funding to run dedicated sessions. The Work Well team are keen to hear from you, so please do submit your ideas. You can find the template here: WorkWell VCSE Opportunity

National Baby Week

Every November across England there are events and sessions organised to support mums and babies. This year our North Place will be contributing to this national programme. If you work in north Cambridgeshire or Peterborough and would like to join the Steering Group or have ideas about running your own event, please contact Sara Bailey: sara.bailey15@nhs.net. Sara would particularly love to hear from faith groups and groups working in rural areas.

How does the health system work?

This is a question we frequently hear. To help with answering that our colleagues have put together a brief presentation that explains the terminology, the local approach and what the new larger area will look like. Please do have a look and share with colleagues. Understanding the current Health System – July 2025 – Support Cambridgeshire