Creating a VCSE Health and Care Assembly for North Yorkshire

Health workers in PPE delivering medical equipment to an elderly man at his home
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 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 meeting of the North Yorkshire VCSE Health and Care Assembly Steering Group, 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.

Forthcoming meetings:
  • 4 December, 10am – 12 noon online

Inspiring stories 

We want to raise the profile of the work your organisation does 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.

There are three integrated care systems in North Yorkshire. Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership covers the majority of our region. In Craven, there are two integrated care systems – West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership covers the majority of Craven, with the exception of Bentham and Ingleton which are part of the Lancashire and South Cumbria 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 which is where the VCSE sector can offer support to their communities.

We’ve convened a North Yorkshire VCSE Health and Care Assembly to provide a two-way mechanism for VCSE conversations with the ICP (Integrated Care Partnership). However, VCSE organisations can still have their own individual conversations with NHS partners. The North Yorkshire VCSE Health and Care Assembly provides a central point 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 health inequalities and any gaps in services.

The Assembly helps relationship building and collaboration between VCSE organisations and the ICP. 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 by 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 works, what its structure is and what its 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, share information via our mailing lists and our weekly Community First Yorkshire News to keep you in the loop. If you’re not subscribed? Sign up here.

The four place-based assemblies operate through existing networks. For more information in your area contact:

At each 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 the Assembly is based on the NHS Local Care Partnership areas of:

  • East Coast
  • Hambleton & Richmondshire
  • Harrogate & Rural
  • Vale & Selby

To join the Assembly, email info@communityfirstyorkshire.org.uk.

What’s in it for your VCSE organisation or group?

As an Assembly member you are able to be part of conversations to develop health and care services in North Yorkshire and help address any inequalities in provision.

Working closely with health and care organisations through the Assembly allows 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 experiences.