Creating a VCSE Health and Care Assembly for North Yorkshire
Voluntary sector and community organisations have a vital role to play in improving public health and reducing health inequalities in North Yorkshire.
To help create opportunities and mechanisms for all voluntary sector organisations to be involved in the design and delivery of health and care services in North Yorkshire, we and our partners have established a VCSE (voluntary, community and social enterprise) Sector Health and Care Assembly to improve health and wellbeing for people in our region.
Assembly meetings
At each bi-monthly North Yorkshire VCSE Health and Care Assembly Steering Group meeting, we share information about what’s happening within the sector in terms of health support services, what capacity there is and whether there are any pressure points. Take a look at upcoming meetings and see what was discussed at previous meetings below.
Upcoming meetings:
- 21 August, 10.00 am – 12 noon online
- 16 October, 10.00 am – 12 noon in person – venue to be decided
- 4 December, 10.00 am – 12 noon online
Inspiring stories
As a member of the North Yorkshire VCSE Health and Care Assembly, we want to raise the profile of the work you do to address health inequalities in the county.
This Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership (HNY HCP) video about community transport provider, Nidderdale Plus, demonstrates just one area where VCSE organisations are providing a vital lifeline to connect communities with health services in rural North Yorkshire.
What are Integrated Care Systems?
Integrated Care Systems (ICS) came into being in 2022, creating a partnership of organisations to plan and deliver joined up health and care services to improve the lives of people living and working in an area.
The ICS for North Yorkshire is Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership. Our region also has some areas outside of that Health and Care Partnership: Bentham is part of the Lancashire and South Cumbria Health and Care Partnership and Craven is part of the West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership.
Take a look at this message for the VCSE sector from Stephen Eames, Chief Executive of the Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership to find out more about the work of the Assembly.
-
How does having a North Yorkshire VCSE Health and Care Assembly help make a difference?
-
Many voluntary, community and social enterprise sector (VCSE) organisations exist to support the health and wellbeing of our communities. This means they have a vital role in improving the lives of local people. Public sector partners cannot provide everything so this is where the VCSE sector can help.
We’ve convened a North Yorkshire VCSE Health and Care Assembly to provide a two-way mechanism for VCSE conversations with the ICS. This doesn’t mean VCSE organisations can’t still have their own individual conversations with NHS partners. The North Yorkshire VCSE Health and Care Assembly provides a central mechanism for the VCSE sector to get involved if they choose to.
Whether your charity or community group works in mental health, loneliness, social prescribing, or creating social connections through activities such as an art, walking or book club, being connected to your local Assembly ensures you’re involved in the conversation to help your community.
“There are a huge number voluntary and community organisations in North Yorkshire contributing to the health and wellbeing of local people by offering dementia cafes, Men’s Sheds, befriending groups or foodbanks. And, of course, working or volunteering in these organisations helps you feel better and more connected. A virtuous circle – doing good, feels good.
“The North Yorkshire VCSE Sector Health and Care Assembly connects vital services together and helps shape the way that health and social care services are developed in our county.”
Jane Colthup, Chief Executive, Community First Yorkshire and North Yorkshire VCSE Sector Health and Care Assembly Lead.
-
What does the Assembly do?
-
Creating opportunities for joined-up care for people in North Yorkshire – bringing together public sector, health organisations and the VCSE sector to improve health and wellbeing, tackling any inequalities and gaps in health services.
The Assembly helps relationship building and collaboration between VCSE organisations and the ICS. This includes identifying gaps in health and wellbeing services and creating opportunities for VCSE organisations to deliver services to benefit our communities.
The Assembly channels information about VCSE sector capacity and capability to the NHS so we can work together more effectively. For example, a health partner could come to us with a gap in their service that could be met with our networks and connections.
The intention is that we plan together more strategically with our health and care partners, so that we are all better placed to meet the needs of our communities. Essentially, it’s a win/win for everyone – most importantly, for the people we serve.
-
How we have set up the Assembly
-
We have set up a steering group based on the NHS’s four local care partnerships to establish how the Assembly will work, what it’s structure will be and what it’s goals are. Read the Assembly’s Terms of Reference.
There are four place-based Assemblies and one overarching North Yorkshire Health and Care Assembly.
The Steering Group for the North Yorkshire VCSE Health and Care Assembly meets bi-monthly and we, as the lead organisation, will share information via our mailing lists and our weekly Community First Yorkshire News to keep you in the loop. (Not subscribed? Sign up here).
The four place-based assemblies are:
- the East Coast (contact Elizabeth Macpherson, Carers Plus Yorkshire and Helen Beevers, Advocacy Alliance
- Hambleton and Richmondshire (contact Liz Lockey, Hambleton Community Action)
- Harrogate and Rural district (contact Frances Elliot, HADCA)
- Vale and Selby (contact Bryony Boyle, Up for Yorkshire)
At each monthly North Yorkshire Assembly meeting, the place-based leads provide updates on what is happening in their patch, raising successes and noting concerns.
-
Who can join the Assembly?
-
Membership is open to all VCSE organisations and groups, both large and small, operating in North Yorkshire.
Membership of this Assembly will be broadly based on the proposed NHS Local Care Partnership areas of:
- The East Coast
- Hambleton & Richmondshire
- Harrogate & Rural, including Craven
- Vale & Selby
-
What’s in it for your VCSE organisation or group?
-
As an Assembly member you will be able to be part of conversations to develop health and care services in North Yorkshire and to address any inequalities in provision.
Working closely with health and care organisations through the Assembly will allow VCSE organisations to jointly improve the way that services are delivered to make them more accessible to everyone.
The Assembly will provide you with a platform to share the voice of the communities that you work with, and to share your feedback and experience.
