Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Voluntary Sector Network
Together for healthier communities
What is the Voluntary Sector Network?
The Voluntary Sector Network is here to make sure that local charities, community groups, and social enterprises have a strong voice in shaping health and care services across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
Previously known as the VCSE Health Alliance, the network was set up in 2022 and is now a key part of the Integrated Care System (ICS) — the partnership that brings together health, care, and community organisations to improve wellbeing in our area.
Our aims are:
- To make sure the voluntary sector is heard, involved in decision-making, and recognised as an equal partner.
- To help grassroots organisations thrive, connect, and make a real difference in people’s lives.
- To build strong, inclusive relationships that tackle local health inequalities and support healthier, happier communities.
You can read more about these aims in the ICS’s voluntary sector strategy: “Working for a Better Future.”
The network holds monthly meetings, alternating online and face-to-face in locations across Cambridgeshire & Peterborough. We amplify the voice of the sector and strengthen our partnership with the NHS by supporting members to take seats at regional partnership and local neighbourhood board level.
Programme Director, Sandie Smith, said:
‘We are passionate about our local voluntary and community sector and see this partnership as leading the way to greater influence our local care and health services. We are always looking for new people from any voluntary or social enterprise, big or small, and faith groups to join the membership and get involved.’
Benefits of the VSN:
Steel Bones joined the Voluntary Sector Network (VSN) to collaborate with like-minded organisations, share learning, and ensure amputee families have a voice in wider conversations about health and inclusion. As a small charity, it’s especially important for us to feel welcomed, accepted, and treated as an equal—and the VSN has consistently offered that. Unlike some networks that focus primarily on larger organisations, the VSN recognises the value of grassroots voices and ensures all members are heard. We’ve always felt that our contributions matter, which is vital for building confidence, sharing expertise, and working together to drive real change.
Emma Joy- Staines,CEO Steel Bones
Current Focus
Representing the sector through the current NHS changes
The VSN are working closely with colleagues in the health services through the current changes, providing regular updates from our representatives to our members.
Using Data to Strengthen the Sector
To help us better understand and support our communities, Cambridge CAB is leading a project to gather data from voluntary and community organisations. This will creating a shared data catalogue to help shape services and priorities. Health leaders are interested in how this data could be used alongside health information — especially at a local neighbourhood level — to make a bigger impact where it matters most. The first stage of this project is for organisations to share the data headings that they collect to inform us of shared data sets.
Membership
Why join?
- Be the first to hear about health news and opportunities
- Join monthly meetings (across the county and online)
- Be heard and help influence change
- Explore possibilities for collaborations and partnerships
Membership is free and open to organisations from Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
To join or find out more email: sandie@supportcambridgeshire.org.uk
Sandie Smith, Programme Director