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. 

We are happy to share that the Greater Manchester Equality Alliance (GM=EqAl) are back up and running after a review of their mission, governance and priorities, following the sad closure of previous hosts, GMCVO, in November 2024.

This new report details work that took place in 2023/24 to grow VCFSE infrastructure capacity and the 'scaffolding' to support the involvement of underrepresented communities in each of the 10 local areas of Greater Manchester.

This blog, written by Accord Officer and 10GM Project Manager Sarah Hudson, shares more about the VCSE Data Peer Learning Network: Greater Manchester’s VCSE sector’s approach to tackling data challenges through collaboration.

Join us to hear more about including the voice of lived experience in policy making – why it’s important, examples of best practice and support around remuneration.

This session has been designed to promote the use of principles of including the voice of lived experience, developed by the GM Equality Alliance (GM=EqAl).

Read the latest from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority. Caroline Simpson's welcome covers the Northern Arc - a proposed new growth corridor from the Mersey to the Pennines, underpinned by a new rail link - and an update on the upcoming Spending Review and the refreshed Greater Manchester Strategy. 

The 2023/24 annual report celebrates TfGM's successes over the second year of their Inclusion and Equality Strategy and highlights a range of equalities initiatives delivered across their teams. It also sets out future plans to ensure that the Bee Network and TfGM continue to become more inclusive, accessible, and representative of the communities TfGM serve.

Tuesday 5th June, 12-1pm (Online)

Join the GM Resilience team for a free, 1-hour online session designed to help Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) organisations get ready for the summer months.

Over the last few weeks, NHS England has worked with Integrated Care Board (ICB) leaders across the country to co-produce a draft Model ICB Blueprint that clarifies the role and purpose of ICBs, theirr core functions and what needs to be in place to ensure success: 

• ICBs will continue to play a vital leadership role, focused on understanding population health needs, planning for the long term, reducing health inequalities and ensuring access to consistently high quality and efficient care
• Their functions will be more focused, with some responsibilities moving to providers or regional/national teams over time. 
• Not all changes can be done this year as some need legislation and some functional changes/transfers will need time to be done safely
• There will be a national support offer, including advice on voluntary redundancy/mutually agreed resignation schemes (MARS), guidance on redeployment, training and help with career transitions if necessary. 

Impact on NHS Greater Manchester

• NHS England has confirmed running costs for all ICBs must be calculated at £18.76 per head of population. For NHS GM, this means a reduction in our running costs by 39%, which must be delivered by 31 December 2025.
• NHS Greater Manchester will not be merging with another ICB, like some are in other parts of the country
• NHS GM needs to submit a high-level plan to NHS England by the end of May 2025 in response to this model ICB Blueprint, outlining how they intend to implement whilst ensuring our plans to deliver the best healthcare for the people of Greater Manchester remain intact
• A Task and Finish Group, chaired by NHS GM's chair, Sir Richard Leese, will oversee the successful transition to new working arrangements and structures. 

To receive full updates, contact the Internal and Stakeholder team gmhscp.gm-stakeholders@nhs.net 

Read the latest news and updates in this partnerships update from the Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership (GM ICP).

Monday 14 July 2025
10:00am – 12:30pm
St Thomas Centre, Ardwick Green North, Manchester M12 6FZ

We want your voice to shape the next steps of the #DoWith movement in the North West. We’re bringing people together from across sectors to ask: How do we make the shift to a real ‘Do With’ approach, not just in theory, but in practice?

This event is designed to gather your reflections, challenges, and ideas. There’ll be a few short talks to inspire thinking, but most of the time will be spent in meaningful table discussions.

The full agenda and registration link are coming soon. For now, please save the date and get ready to join the conversation.

The tool is designed for any agency that works with people on low incomes, including GP surgeries, schools, hospitals and local community groups, as well as people seeking financial support for themselves. You’re prompted to answer just three questions before being shown tailored information on local support options.

GMCA colleagues are currently working on a project aimed at embedding the Greater Manchester Information Sharing Framework more effectively across sectors.

They want to make sure that they have been able to input into and shape the framework from a VCFSE/social provider perspective.

If you would be interested in attending an interview, please get in touch with ConnectedGM@greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk