August 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 Greater Manchester VCFSE Accord - a collaboration agreement between the public sector, including the health and care system, and the VCFSE sector.

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The meeting presented an opportunity for honest and ongoing dialogue, with a focus on delivering tangible improvements for residents, particularly around the cost of living and public service reform. 

Alongside the meeting came the opportunity to share an overview of our sector’s policy-related priorities. The resulting short briefing shares our sector’s priorities and perspectives on how devolved powers and resources can better reach and benefit local communities across the city-region.

In Bury, local partners recognised the need to translate the shared commitment within the GM VCFSE Accord of strengthening collaboration between the VCFSE and public sectors, into practical ways of working that could be embedded locally to help improve things for local people.

Bury VCFA worked with Bury Council and the Integrated Delivery Collaborative, to develop a shared framework for cross-sector collaboration.

New online resources, including a microsite and short explainer video, have been produced to help partners, stakeholders and communities better understand what the Accord is all about, how it is helping strengthen collaboration across Greater Manchester and how it can be used.

Find out more about how we work, our role as catalysts and connectors for the sector, and our distributed model of leadership at the link below (Linkedin account needed).

We are happy to share news of three new VCFSE appointments to the Leadership Group, its sub-groups and the GM Health Scrutiny Committee. Read more below. 

Earlier this month, the government revealed plans to remove the social value weighting from all contracts under £1m while increasing the score to 20% for tenders of £5m or more.

Social Enterprise UK responded to these new rules, laying out the opportunity ahead for VCFSE organisations and expressing some concern around what this means for social enterprises. Previously, rules were meant to open door for small supplies, but new rules are potentially 'removing the lever that makes buyers choose them'.

On the second anniversary of the start of the Southport riots, the Runnymede Trust and 100+ other organisations, including the Greater Manchester VCFSE Leadership Group, have written to the new prime minister calling for the implementation of a cross-governmental anti-racism strategy. 

A new publication sets out this government's plan to fundamentally rewire the state by shifting power, funding and accountability from Whitehall to local leaders.

(From NAVCA) For VCFSE organisations, the direction of travel is clear: decisions about growth, skills, employment, housing, transport, health, policing and public service reform will increasingly be made at strategic authority level. VCFSE organisations will need to understand these new structures, work together with local infrastructure organisations to build relationships with key staff within them, and make the case for the sector’s role in prevention, community voice, social infrastructure and inclusive growth.

The new Mayor of Greater Manchester, Bev Craig, sets out her commitment to be a mayor for everyone, in every community across our city region. Key commitments so far include plans to deliver 50,000 new affordable homes by 2039, a £20 million Good Growth High Streets Fund, free Bee Network bus travel for 11 to 16-year-olds from January 2027, and major improvements to bus services, including new routes and night buses across all ten boroughs.

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 latest update highlights NHS Greater Manchester’s new five-year strategic objectives, nationally recognised prevention work, improvements in cancer diagnosis and patient experience, expanded palliative care services, and a range of public health initiatives aimed at improving outcomes and reducing health inequalities.

To support neighbourhood delivery models, the 10 Year Health Plan committed to developing new contracts based on population size. This consultation seeks views on two proposed contracting models: a Multi-Neighbourhood Provider (MNP) Contract and a Single Neighbourhood Provider (SNP) Contract. 

The consultation is aimed at integrated care boards (ICBs), general practice, Primary Care Networks (PCNs), community and other providers, local authorities, patient representatives and other stakeholders.

Deadline: 10th September 2026.

Wednesday 30th September 11:30am-2:30pm | Our Sale West

Join Voluntary Sector North West, Local Trust and 10GM at Our Sale West Big Local for an in-person session exploring how the places, organisations, relationships and spaces that connect communities can create the foundations for community-led change.

We’ll be joined by colleagues from 10GM and Live Well to explore the wider role of social infrastructure in community-led programmes, including how communities can be supported to design their own services and respond to local priorities.

The Greater Manchester Mental Health Leadership Group (MHLG) is seeking an experienced consultant, consultancy partnership or suitably qualified VCSE/system development specialist to lead a strategic review and development programme.

Contract value: Up to £22,000
Application deadline: Monday 21st September, 12pm

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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.