March 2026

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. Visit our website.

We are a partner in the GM VCFSE Accord, an agreement between Greater Manchester’s public sector, including the health and care system, and the VCFSE sector, underpinned by shared values of honesty, ambition, accountability & trust. 

Share this ebulletin with others who may find it useful, they can subscribe here.

Greater Manchester stands on a proud legacy of partnership-working between the public sector and our diverse VCFSE sector.

A renewed Greater Manchester VCFSE Accord for 2026 - 2035 will act as a framework for how Greater Manchester’s public sector, including the health and care system, and the Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise sector (VCFSE) will work together for the next nine years

As many of Greater Manchester’s communities navigate hardship, the role of the VCFSE sector has never been more important.

The Accord is underpinned by our shared values of honesty, ambition, accountability and trust - building on previous agreements to create a consistent, system-wide approach that will deliver meaningful, measurable change for our residents, communities, places and the environment.

The day will explore:

• GM=EqAl's role in the supporting geographically dispersed communities.
• Year 1 learning from the Inclusion & Wellbeing Fund
• Our contribution to the Whole System Approach project
• Equalities infrastructure gaps across Greater Manchester
• Practical tools for Equality Impact Assessment
• Celebrations of funded grassroots organisations

The programme also includes a 2-hour Voice of Lived Experience Seminar (CPD accreditation in progress), community performances, a project showcase and ways to join the GM=EqAl Working Network.

Tickets are available for the full day, morning or afternoon.

VCFSE representation ensures that the voices of our sector are actively involved in shaping decisions across Greater Manchester. We support rep recruitment and provide support to reps to create a more connected and unified VCFSE sector. 

Complete the survey to help us paint a picture of the significant and far-reaching impact of our diverse sector.

Take part here.

Find out more on 10GM's website.

Read the latest update in full at the link below.

Read the latest update at the link below.

Radcliffe Primary Care Centre in Bury will be one of the first in the country to be transformed into a neighbourhood health centre – providing a one-stop-shop health service to bring improved healthcare to thousands of patients’ doorsteps

One of 27 across the country, the centre’s refurbishment will be funded by the government as part of its plan to boost access to healthcare, cut waiting lists and tackle inequalities

Launching in April 2026, this is one of the largest investments in community-led development in England - shifting power so that communities shape what happens next. We’re thrilled to share that thanks to National Lottery players, 10GM, on behalf of Greater Manchester Live Well, will receive £16.5 million over four years from The National Lottery Community Fund, the UK's largest community funder.

This investment in Live Well Spaces of Hope and Connection will create a network of 100+ inclusive, community-led and owned spaces across Greater Manchester where people can meet, belong and find everyday support.

Prioritising communities facing the greatest inequalities, the investment will strengthen social infrastructure and grow community action, power and wealth. Powered by the Live Well movement, VCFSE organisations, public services and residents will come together to share power, change systems and shape healthier, fairer, more connected places.

A sub-group of the GM VCFSE Leadership Group, GM=EqAl, are a delivery partner in this work. Their role will be to enable reach to communities of dispersed identity or experience, who are often missed by locality-based funding.

If you didn’t receive this newsletter directly from VSNW, you can subscribe here to ensure you don’t miss future updates.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on this ebulletin, what’s useful, what could be improved, and how we can make it more relevant to you and your work. Share your feedback with us at lucy.north@vsnw.org.uk

Thank you for your continued support and engagement.