We’re a Leadership Group dedicated to promoting the role and involvement of the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector in Greater Manchester.

We are a partner in the VCFSE Accord, a three-way agreement between us, the GMCA and the GM NHS Integrated Care System, based in a relationship of mutual trust, working together, and sharing responsibility. 

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Have your say in the consultation to shape how the VCFSE sector and the public sector in Greater Manchester work together to improve outcomes for communities and citizens.

A new agreement, implementation plan and programme of work will begin 1st April 2026 and we need your help in shaping these.

Have your say by 5pm, today (Friday 31st October).

Thursday 13th November, Stretford Public Hall

This convention will brig together Alternative Provider Collaborative (APC) partners, System partners and commissioners to explore social value, asking what this truly means for communities, how it is embedded in commissioning and why it must be central to system design.

Tuesday 25th November, Online

Brought to you from the GM Alternative Provider Collaborative (APC) and 10GM in partnership with Respect for All, this lunch and learn session will offer an antidote to the conversations emerging across Greater Manchester surrounding ‘economic inactivity’.

The Greater Manchester VCFSE Leadership Group are seeking new members that are linked to two specific networks/ expertise areas in Greater Manchester:

• local faith/ interfaith networks, and
• community transport

The ideal new members will be in senior leader positions within an organisation who can ‘connect’ to existing Greater Manchester networks and relevant boards or steering groups.

We would like to particularly encourage applications from ethnically diverse backgrounds. Membership to the Group is voluntary, however, to enable participation, a small annual bursary is available.

To apply, complete the Expression of Interest form by 5pm, Tuesday 18^th November.

GMCA is recruiting three representatives from VCFSE organisations who work with and for non-UK nationals across Greater Manchester to join the GM Asylum & Migration Response Group.

The deadline for expressions of interest is the 18^th November 2025.

The GMCA are pleased to share two commissioning activities as part of the Refugee Welcome Programme – Work and Skills.

• Refugee Welcome Programme (RWP) – Work and Skills Evaluation Partner. GMCA seek to award a contract to a research and evaluation partner to produce a tailored evaluation of the RWP and develop findings for the GMCA and key stakeholders.
• Refugee Welcome Programme (RWP) - Work and Skills Employment Support. GMCA seek to award a contract for the provision of personalised employment support for people seeking asylum (with the right to work) and refugees in Greater Manchester who are participating in the Refugee Welcome Programme.

Expression of interest deadline for both opportunities is 25th November 2025.

All Tenders must be submitted through The Chest, the Northwest Procurement portal, and can be accessed using the link below.

Tuesday 11th November, 1830 Warehouse at The Science and Industry Museum, Manchester

Greater Manchester is launching the GM Participation Playbook: Shaping how we Live Well Together - a practical, co-designed guide that brings together tried-and-tested participatory approaches. More than just a set of tools, the Playbook is designed to spark ideas, build confidence and equip people to work differently with communities at every level.

The monthly Greater Manchester integrated Care Partnership Update provides an overview of the work underway across our health and care system; the progress being made and any key developments.

The GM VCFSE Leadership Group have shared a paper that highlights a need for more coordinated action across our city-region to respond to rising community tensions.

This paper is a summary of priorities and areas for action to help guide further Greater Manchester System engagement, and to shape the VCFSE sector’s own actions in relation to ongoing community tensions.

In response to the protests and the misunderstandings surrounding asylum accommodation, a group of people with lived experience of life in hotels across Greater Manchester have come together to share their perspective.

Their message is one of openness, understanding, and hope. They want to be part of their new communities, to contribute, and to live safely alongside their neighbours.

The GM VCFSE Leadership Group shared a statement in response to the violent attack on Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall, Manchester.

The VCFSE sector in Greater Manchester, as always, stands with our diverse communities and against violence, and we will continue to play an active part in the response, support our faith communities, and commit ourselves to standing against hate wherever it arises.

Following the attack, it can continue to be traumatic and triggering for many people. It’s important that you do all you can to look after yourselves and each other as you process what has happened. Psychological support is available through the Critical Incident and Trauma Service and the Greater Manchester Resilience Hub.

The Greater Manchester voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) Leadership Group are saddened and shocked to learn of the collapse of Manchester Pride, which not only affects the LGBTQ+ community but also the wider VCFSE sector.

A fundraising appeal has been set up to support Manchester Pride's unpaid freelance creatives. Visit here to find out more and donate. #StandWithPrideFreelancers

The Pride in Place Strategy is the Government’s plan to help build stronger communities, create thriving places and empower local people. 

Our latest blog sets provides an overview of its contents and highlights opportunities for the VCFSE sector.

This document outlines a set of emerging hallmarks and principles to support local areas in shaping and strengthening their own approaches to everyday support in neighbourhoods to tackle health, social and economic inequalities.

We’re excited to share the launch of the BRIDGE Research Network – a new, free to access online platform that brings together the VCFSE sector, academic researchers and health and care professionals across the North West.

It’s a space designed to build fairer, more equal partnerships, where local knowledge and lived experience carry as much weight as academic expertise.