Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Voluntary Sector Network
Together for healthier communities
The Voluntary Sector Network is the new name for the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) Health Alliance which was launched in July 2022. It is responsible for developing and embedding ways in which grassroots charitable and non-profit organisations have a greater voice and influence in the Integrated Care System (ICS). It also provides direct access to ICS leadership and governance structures.
The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Voluntary Sector Network sees its vision as developing a vibrant and thriving VCSE sector within the ICS; driving health and wellbeing in our communities in an inclusive and empowering way. The key goals are described in the ICS strategy for the VCSE sector – ‘Working for a Better Future’. These are:
- Support and enable a thriving VCSE sector to play its part.
- Place the VCSE as an equal partner within the system.
- Work to drive change, create a tangible impact on people and communities, and tackle health inequalities.
- Build strong, inclusive, and empowering relationships throughout the partnership.
The network holds monthly meetings; alternating online and face-to-face in locations across Cambridgeshire & Peterborough.
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.’
The Network is currently working with its members and partners to review the ICS VCSE strategy; ‘Working together for a better future’. Steps forward have been made over the past two years. The Network is now keen to build on this progress, with a new action plan setting out the next steps to making our voluntary sector truly equal partners in the Integrated Care System.
A consultation process is now underway. As part of this the Network is asking for comments on the review and the draft action plan (see under Supporting Documents). Colleagues are invited to share their feedback via this short survey
To find out more about joining the network, contact Sandie Smith or Debbie Drew, the Project Officer on:
The work of the Voluntary Sector Network is overseen and driven by a steering group, providing strategic direction for the Programme Director, ensuring that activities are on target to meet the agreed goals of the Network and are strategically aligned to the three levels of the ICS; system, place and neighbourhood.
The group is made up by the Network representatives, the Councils for Voluntary Services, the project leads and a faith/diversity representative.
The Voluntary Sector Network has formal representation at several of the Integrated Care Board committees. These representatives ensure that the sector has a voice in decision-making and that VCSE partners are considered in committee agendas and discussions. Written reports are submitted and circulated to Voluntary Sector Network members, who share their insight and learning with the Steering Group.
On behalf of the Network, Cambridge CAB is leading a project to compile data from VCSE organisations. This will produce a data catalogue that can be used by the sector to inform their work. There is intense interest from the ICB in ways of combining this with health-specific data, particularly at a neighbourhood level.
Want to know more
If you would like to know more about the Voluntary Sector Network or the Health and Wellbeing Network, please contact debbie@huntsforum.org.uk.
Our partnership
Support Cambridgeshire is a partnership between Hunts Forum and Cambridge Council for Voluntary Service. We recognise the need for greater cross-working and the ability to provide a high-level offer to charities, village halls and parish councils.
Our supporters
The partnership is funded by
Cambridgeshire County Council.
Cambridgeshire County Council.
