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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The consultation on the refresh of the GM VCFSE Accord was open between August and October. Thank you to everyone that took part!

The first full draft is due in December and we will be asking for feedback across a broad range of stakeholders following the draft's approval at the Accord refresh steering group. The final agreement, implementation and delivery plan will be launched for it's April 1st start date next year. 

Find out about the latest VCFSE Accord priorities and activity across the different work areas, including population health, commissioning and investment, communication, VCFSE ecosystem and localities, data and intelligence, equalities, inclusive economy, and VCFSE influencing and involvement.

The GM VCFSE Leadership Group work collaboratively with commissioners and system leaders across Greater Manchester, in collaboration with the Alternative Provider Collaborative (APC), influencing decision-making in commissioning and procurement.  

Part of this work is our continued campaigning around how social value is thought of, measured and secured by commissioners. This was also the focus of this month's APC conference - how service providers in the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector provide social value as organisations that create positive social and economic impact by their very existence. Current processes were established to realise social value from private sector contractors. We need approaches that reward social value that is built into day-to-day delivery models, so that the VCFSE sector is not disadvantaged in procurement terms.

It is also important that local VCFSE infrastructure are enabled to lead on the local approach to social value. They are embedded in their community, understand their needs, and know how smaller organisations operate. Bolton is a great example of this - read the case study.

Read more about our work around Commissioning and Investment by clicking below, and visit here to read our key messages for our commissioners on social value and the VCFSE sector.

Thursday 20^th November was Social Enterprise Day 2025, a chance to raise the profile of the social enterprise movement and show the transformative impact it is having across the world.

Find out more about the important role of Social Enterprises in our society, and what you can do to support them.

Last week, Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham unveiled plans to pioneer a new model of economic growth in our city region.

A £1bn Greater Manchester Good Growth Fund will deliver a pipeline of more than 30 high-impact regeneration projects right across the city region. This UK-first approach, using the freedoms and flexibilities we’ve gained through successive devolution deals, will regenerate communities across Greater Manchester.

It’s Good Employment Week 2025!

We’re proud to support Good Employment Week, powered by the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter, from 24th - 28th November.

This year’s theme 'Good Employment is your Right!' puts a spotlight on the upcoming Employment Rights Bill, with the launch of an interactive ‘Know Your Rights’ quiz designed to help people understand their rights at work. The week also features eye-catching posters celebrating good work and a range of events across the region.

Visit goodemploymentweek.co.uk, use #GoodEmploymentWeek, and show your support for raising awareness of employment rights across Greater Manchester.

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

Some headlines...

Live Well

All 10 Greater Manchester localities will have at least one Live Well centre in place by the end of this financial year, offering mental health, housing, employment, family and financial support. These centres will be guided by a Live Well Board, which met for the first time in October. NHS GM and GMCA have together committed £10m to each locality.

NHS GM Operating Model

NHS Greater Manchester is evolving its operating model to deliver better health and care for everyone across our city region. By working closely with local authorities, NHS Trusts, primary care, and the voluntary sector, they’re joining up services at neighbourhood level and investing in community-led solutions. You can read the full operating model here.

Trauma Support

A trauma support page has been set up on the Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership website which offers advice and guidance for anyone affected by distressing or traumatic events, reassurance, and signposting to services for those affected.