Welcome to Voluntary Sector North West
VSNW is the regional voluntary sector network for the North West. Our purpose is to support a connected and influential voluntary and community sector (VCS).
Besides working for a well represented sector, current areas of work include supporting VCS health and social care networking and policy, influencing regional strategy and funding on behalf of the VCS, and supporting increased VCS influence over European policy and funding.
VSNW's core values are Accountability, Knowledge and Equality.
Latest news
Member news from across the North West: VCS News
3rd July: VSNW and NHS North West are holding three events in September so that VCS groups can hear and discuss local priorities, and delivery, with a service commissioner from their local PCT: Conversations wth Commissioners
2nd July: VSNW launches a new network for Third and Independent Sector providers of Mental Health Services: Promise
25th June: BIG outline framework for their funding 2009 to 2015: Quick summary of Big Thinking
18th June: Latest issue of VSNW's Health Bulletin is now available: Health Bulletin #3
17th June: Key regional event exploring the public sector's relationship with the third sector: Public & Third Sector Partnerships Conference, sponsored by Government Office North West (GONW) and the North West Development Agency (NWDA).
Public & Third Sector Partnerships Conference
10th June: VSNW are recruiting a new post: Policy & Network Officer (Health & Social Care). Closing Date: noon, 2nd July 2009. For more information and an application pack go to www.vsnw.org.uk/jobs
4th June: Department of Health recognises potential of regional voluntary sector networks to improve VCS and NHS partnership working through Strategic Partnership funding of Regional Voices.
13th May: Latest VSNW Bulletin #10 is now available.
13th May: Book now to attend the first regional Social Enterprise Trade Fair, Aintree race-course, 16th June 2009: In Business for Good
12th May: Merseyside Network for Europe (MNE) have launched a support service for sub-contracting third sector organisations tackling worklessness in Merseyside
11th May: £10m Equalities and Human Rights Commission funding programme announced
8th May: £1bn Future Job Fund - will require significant partnership work or contributions to local authority, PCT, Registered Social Landlords or sub-regional economic partnership bids.
7th May: VSNW are recruiting two new posts: An Information Officer and a Representation Coordinator. Closing Date 26th May. For more information and an application pack go to www.vsnw.org.uk/jobs
5th May: Third Sector Empowerment Practitioners Forum for the North West is launched by VSNW and its Community Empowerment Network partners
4th May: Parliamentary committee on barriers to representation is holding a public meeting at Manchester Town Hall on 11th May 2009: Speaker's Conference. All welcome.
4th May: VCS response to the Principles and Issues of the Regional Strategy consultation and briefing now available: RS2010 response
1st May: It is key that VCS representatives are well represented at a key Regional Strategy consultation event to outline actions to tackle deprivation in our communities: Deprived Communities Symposium (9th June)
29th April: Select Committee for the North West calls for evidence on the impact of the downturn and on the effectiveness of the Government's response. Closing date: 21st May 2009.
22nd April: £3.3m Targeted Support Fund for small, local charities providing money advice, well-being, or tackling worklessness services in the North West
16th April: VSNW are drawing together a prospectus of third sector learning provision in the North West: register for inclusion.
8th April: Fully-funded Management Development Programme for front-line managers of services for children and young people
2nd April: The Joint Economic Commission for the North West (JEC) website has now been launched: Support North West: www.supportnw.co.uk. The site provides support and advice for North West families and businesses affected by the economic downturn.
June 2008 to April 2009: News archive
Events: Listing
Latest VSNW-commissioned research
"VSNW – Ensuring that the Voluntary and Community Sector, in all its diversity, takes its part in shaping the future of the North West."
