June 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.

We represent the Greater Manchester VCFSE sector in the GM VCFSE Accord . which was recently renewed for 2026-2035, and signed by leaders across GM's VCFSE and public sector.  

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Sue Wood, Head of Operations and Public Involvement and Engagement Lead at NIHR ARC-GM, said:

“Becoming a signatory to the GM VCFSE Accord reflects how we want to work at ARC‑GM - through trusted, open and mutually beneficial partnerships with the VCFSE sector."

“We recognise the vital role that community organisations play in understanding and responding to the needs of local people, and we are committed to working together in a way that is respectful, equitable and focused on delivering meaningful impact for communities across Greater Manchester.” 

Read the Accord in full.

Read the summary version.

As you’ll have no doubt seen, Andy Burnham was elected as the Member of Parliament for Makerfield last week and, as a result, is no longer the Mayor of Greater Manchester.

On 25 June 2026, GMCA published the official Notice of Election, confirming the dates and details of the by-election for residents to choose a new Mayor. This will take place on Thursday 30 July. 

Register to vote

The deadline to register to vote is 11.59pm on Tuesday 14 July 2026.

You find out if you are eligible to vote, and how to register to vote here - How to register to vote | GM Elects

The different ways to vote

You can vote in the Mayoral Election in person at your polling station, by post or by proxy.

• Deadline to apply for a postal vote: Wednesday 15 July 2026, 5pm
• Deadline to apply for a proxy vote: Wednesday 22 July 2026, 5pm

Find out more about the different ways to vote, and the deadlines for postal and proxy voting here – The different ways to vote | GMElects

Voter ID

To vote at a polling station in the Mayoral Election taking place on Thursday 30 July 2026, you must show acceptable voter ID.

Apply by Wednesday 22 July for a ‘Voter Authority Certificate’ (if you do not have a photo ID that allows you to vote).

Find out more about accepted forms of voter ID here - Voter ID | GM Elects

How to vote

The Mayoral Election on Thursday 30 July 2026 will use the Supplementary Voting System, which was used in 2017 and 2021.

Find out more about what that means here - How to vote | GMElects

Breakthrough UK, an organisation led by disabled people, is inviting individuals to apply for Transport for Greater Manchester’s Disability Design Reference Group (DDRG).

The DDRG plays an important role by sharing lived experiences with Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) to shape how travel across the city region is designed and run through the Bee Network.

Apply by 5 July 2026. 

The Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership (GMICP), which brings together all the health and social care services, local councils and community organisations across Greater Manchester, has launched its own anti-racism campaign, with real staff sharing how racism has affected them.

This monthly bulletin is an overview of the work underway across our health and care system; the progress being made and any key developments.

The Democratic Engagement Fund will provide grants to civil society organisations (CSOs) to deliver politically neutral, place‑based activities that help people understand, engage with, and participate in democracy.

This Fund focuses on groups that are currently less democratically engaged and aims to generate evidence on what works to increase democratic participation, informing future policy and practice.

The deadline to apply for the UK Social Enterprise Awards is coming up fast on 12th July. Let’s get national recognition for the amazing work we see happening every day in Greater Manchester carried out by our incredible social enterprises.

If you’re a social enterprise in Greater Manchester, now’s your chance to showcase your impact and role in building a more inclusive economy on a national stage.

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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.