Since January 2022, as part of NHS England’s “Embedding the VCSE in ICSs” Programme-Cohort 3, a small group of volunteers from a number of VCFSE organisations, have been gathering information and opinion about what is needed here, and what works in other areas of England, to embed VCFSE into the governance and decision making of our integrated care system in Lancashire & South Cumbria.

Across two workshops in January and May over 75 VCFSE organisations were involved in co-producing a Vision for why and how the VCFSE would want to work in partnership with the Integrated Care System (ICS), and the Values such a partnership should be built on. These outputs will be part of the briefing pack.

As the first tangible outcome of our involvement in “Cohort 3”, we are now ready to launch the first part what will become the Lancashire & South Cumbria ICS - VCFSE Programme; The Lancashire & South Cumbria VCFSE Assembly.

We aim for this periodic assembly, to be the foundation of the VCFSE Programme, creating opportunities for two-way information flow, and opportunities for specialist, thematic and place-based groups to form, which will have a direct line via the VCFSE Programme to those making health and care decisions for us. The plan is for these groups to have support from peers and partners to ensure their stability and progress.

This programme will become part of the ICS’s governance and management structure to ensure our system is a genuine partnership enabling and empowering the strength, skill, insight and versatility of the VCFSE to be fully part of the way we do health and care in Lancashire & South Cumbria.

This first VCFSE Assembly will be a virtual session, open to all VCFSE organizations across Lancashire & South Cumbria to come together for these purposes:

1. Feedback on the outcomes of involvement in Cohort 3 of NHSE’s “Embedding the VCSE in ICSs Programme” and where we are now;

a. Including the formation of The Assembly, its purpose and connectivity.

2. Update on Lancashire & South Cumbria’s Integrated Care Board (ICB) developments

a. Including connections we have established and how the VCFSE Programme will connect and influence.

3. Update on Lancashire & South Cumbria’s Integrated Care Partnership (ICP); Strategic plan developments

4. Formation of 3-4 Task & Finish Groups to develop costed delivery plans for tackling some of the systemic issues we’re facing.

5. Next steps for Alliance steering group. The group of VCFSE organisational leads who will advise the ICS - VCFSE Programme’s development.

A briefing pack will go out to registered attendees, a week in advance of the session.

Any queries please contact Joe Hannett - joeh@communityfutures.org.uk

Launch of Lancashire & South Cumbria’s VCFSE Assembly