The APC Convention - Social Value: What is The Point?

The APC Convention will be co-hosted by APC Exec Chair, Edna Robinson, GMCA Prevention Demonstrator Director, Warren Heppolette and NHS GM Deputy Chief Exec, Colin Scales.

This year we explore Social value: What Is The Point? Asking what Social Value truly means for communities, how it is embedded in commissioning and why it must be central to system design. Confirmed guests include GMCA Chief Exec - Caroline Simpson, Cllr Arooj Shah (Leader of Oldham Council and GM lead for Equalities and Communities), Sir Richard Leese GM ICB Chair and Mayor Andy Burnham (TBC) along with other senior members of the Greater Manchester Integrated Care System.

On the day APC Partners, System Partners and commissioners will come together to:

• Showcase organisation delivering quality services with social value at their heart.
• Engage in deep-dive conversations about commissioning for real impact and equity.
• Reinforcing that social value benefits people and communities — not just systems.
• Celebrate the good practice of the APC.

Expect powerful discussions, healthy disagreements, recognition moments, and opportunities to shape what comes next for the APC and our collective vision for Greater Manchester.

AGENDA

9.30 – 10.00 in (The Underhall)

Meet some APC Providers to learn about what they do and understand their social value proposition.

Also a chance to meet some organisations that are joining the dots amongst social businesses both nationally and in GM

10.00 – Welcome!! (Ballroom)

A 30 minute informal conversation with Edna Robinson (Exec Chair – Alternative Provider Collaborative), Nazir Afzal OBE (Author and Chancellor of University of Manchester), Sir Richard Leese (Chair NHS GM) and Warren Heppolette (Prevention Demonstrator Director – GMCA) to set the scene for the day. Providing a moment to reflect on system change both nationally and in GM alongside wider societal perspectives that are currently at play.

10.30 – A careful exploration of Social Value (Ballroom)

A conversation looking at how and where we centralise social value in commercial and strategic growth. We will also develop our

understanding of how organisations can show how they are best equipped to deal with heightened community tensions and anxieties. We will

hear from panelists and then take conversations to our tables. The conversation will be facilitated by Jules Palfreyman and will feature

contributions from Nicola Lynch – Independent Social Value Consultant, Sandra Hamilton – Consultant Stone King LLP, Julian Blake – Partner

at Stone King LLP and Dan Gregory – Associate Director at SEUK

11.45 – Why non-statutory mental health providers are better placed to improve outcomes for young people

A fireside chat with Sandeep Ranote – Clinical Director Mental health NHS GM, Kris Wraxhall – Mental Health VCSE Integration Lead NHS GM, Ezra Rose(TBC) – Lived Experience Practitioner 42nd Street, Simone Spray – Chief Exec 42nd Street and Steph Walker – Programme Manager HeaRrt Programme exploring why we need diversity in approaches to mental health services for young people, what is and isn’t working about the current system esp. risk and negative stereotyping and how non-statutory providers doing what the traditional system is unable to achieve and what we can do to scale these approaches

12.30 – Lunchtime Activities

THE OLD LIBRARY – Bitesize Cultural Competency Training with Just Psychology

A mini training session on how we can be as culturally competent as possible in our own orgnaisations, service delivery and personal lives. Alongside cultural competency we will also look at practical and non-inflammatory ways to call out negative behaviours where we see/hear them – NB – This session has limited spaces and requires pre-booking

THE UNDERHALL - Another opportunity to visit our exhibition space and learn more about APC providers.

LIVE WELL IN THE RYLANDS ROOM – A chance for attendees to talk to GM Live Well team, feedback on emerging hallmarks of Live Well centres and spaces and link into locality work.

DROP-IN ACTIVITIES IN THE BALLROOM

Table 1 – Meet the board members of The Greater Manchester Alternative provider Collaborative CIC

GMAPC became a CIC in the summer of 2025 with a board of directors appointed to lead our development into a strategic vehicle for collaborative contracting at scale. This is an opportunity to meet the new CIC board and find out more about their expertise, views and priorities for aligning with the NHS 10 Year Plan and evolving commissioning arrangements in GM.

Table 2 – A showcase of all things Trafford

Learn about how social businesses are partnering with Trafford Council to bring innovation in service to Trafford communities through Social Value, community projects, the changing futures programme and local infrastructure.

Table 3 – Crafting for mindfulness

The APC’s very own Ayisatu Oladunni will be hosting creative activities to help us learn simple techniques to practice mindfulness that can help manage mental health in a world that is so often overwhelming.

Table 4 – Exploring T-Levels and placement opportunities for young people with Sue Howard (NHS GM)

Following a growth of momentum to engage with young people and communities and provide developmental opportunities to support them into work, as part of the sector’s civic responsibility. This session will:
a) provide an opportunity for you to find out more about a range of approaches to support this ambition and to strengthen your future workforce pipelines
b) hear your views on the sectors readiness, barriers, and opportunities around these approaches, to inform future work in this space.

Table 5 – Meet E3M and learn about their work

Jonathan Bland will be hosting this drop in where you can learn about how E3M supports the growth and impact of social enterprises that trade in public service markets

Table 6 – Meet SEUK and learn about their work

Scott Darraugh and Dan Gregory will together host this table where you can learn about how and where Social Enterprise is advocating for businesses with a social purpose. Dan and scott will also be discussing the newly launched report Ahead Of The Curve On Healthcare – Social Enterprises and The Government’s 10 Year Plan

Table 7 – Have your say on the new operating model for NHS GM

Deputy Chief Executive at NHS GM, Professor Colin Scales invites comment on the draft new operating model for NHS GM.

14.00 – Welcome Back!! (Ballroom)

Your hosts for the afternoon Edna Robinson and Colin Scales will reflect on the morning’s conversations and activities

14.10 - Unlocking Investment For Social Good (Ballroom)

A 60 minute conversation with Katherine Sheerin (Chief Commisioning Officer – NHS GM), Luvjit Kandula (Chair GM Primary Care Board) and

Tom Hinchcliff (Deputy Place Based Lead for Health and Social Care Manchester). Chaired by Scott Darraugh (Chief Exec Social Adventures).

This session will explore why it is so challenging to move resources in order to create a climate where early intervention is accompanied by

substantial investment from more reactive parts of the system.

15.10 – Caroline Simpson (Chief Exec at GMCA)

Caroline will share a little about her own thoughts on the importance of meaningful social value in public service and what is happening at

GMCA to support social value to become central to system design.

15.20 – Closing remarks from our hosts and prize draw

Your hosts for the afternoon Edna Robinson and Colin Scales will reflect on the day’s conversations and share key commitments and next steps.