The BRIDGE Research Network is here! Connecting #VCFSE organisations, researchers & strategic partners for more diverse and equitable research across the #NorthWest #BRIDGEResearchNetwork
Find out more 👇
www.vsnw.org.uk/bridge-resea...
One week left! 🚨
Our funding and commissioning awards close on Friday 3 October.
Your nominations will:
✔️ Shape future guidance
✔️ Give recognition at our annual conference
✔️ Inspire others to follow best practice
Don’t miss out 👇
www.vsnw.org.uk/resource/vsn...
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 👇
🔗www.vsnw.org.uk/news/2025/4/16/new-great...
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/...
Important question: Where are the voices of communities in these plans?
Hope to see more focus on how people are shaping the future of the North throughout the day #COTN2025
Andy Burnham on transport and accessibility:
🚌Bus regulation is key
🎟️High fares hit young people hardest
🚆We need more capacity on northern rail to truly level up
The North can't thrive without affordable, accessible transport #COTN2025
A panel of northern mayors kicks off the day – big focus on collaboration across the North 🌍
Steve Rotherham:
✅Net zero must lead the agenda
✅Mersey tidal project could unlock green energy
✅Nature recovery can't be an add-on – it must be at the heart of plans
#COTN2025
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
And after 36 years of service, we say thank you to Graham Urwin for his leadership & commitment to partnership working. Wishing him a happy retirement in June! 👏💙
