Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE)

The VCSE sector is an important partner for statutory health and social care organisations and plays a key role in improving health and care outcomes for its communities, not only by delivering services but also by shaping their design and advocating for, representing and amplifying the voice of service users, patients and carers.

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VCSE Collaborative

The Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) Collaborative represents the wider VCSE sector and comprises of Place Leads from VCSE sector infrastructure organisations, the NHS, and the Head of VCSE.

The VCSE Collaborative sits within the governance of Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership and is equal to the other Collaboratives of Mental Health, Primary Care, Acute and Community.

The VCSE Collaborative meets on a monthly basis and provides an overview of areas of activity and circulates a bi-monthly e-bulletin.

Our News

Latest newsletter from the VCSE Collaborative now available to view

Read the latest newsletter from Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership’s VCSE Collaborative.

1 April 2024

Image of wooden blocks spelling the word Update

VCSE Collaborative Meeting Update – 11 March 2024

The VCSE Collaborative meet on a monthly basis. Following each meeting we share an overview of the discussions with the wider system.

15 March 2024

Illustrations of nature and people doing different activities including painting, walking, tennis and running. Text reads Social Prescribing Day 14th March 24

Social Prescribing Day 2024: Embracing the Power of Social Prescribing

Today we celebrate Social Prescribing Day, an occasion dedicated to shedding light on the transformative impact of social prescribing.

14 March 2024

Our Plan

Our plan is to enable the potential and impact of the VCSE sector to be realised by being fully integrated into the planning, design and delivery of health and care across Humber and North Yorkshire; cementing the sector’s role as a key strategic partner.

The importance of the VCSE sector in the planning and delivery of health and care is highlighted throughout the NHS Long Term Plan.

Our Events

Humber and North Yorkshire VCSE Expo – Monday 22 April 2024 at the MKM Stadium, Hull. Bringing together VCSE organisations from across Humber and North Yorkshire with representatives from across the wider health and care system. Booking is now closed.

Hospital Discharge Webinar – Wednesday 1 May 2024. The webinar will bring colleagues from across Humber and North Yorkshire’s VCSE sector, who are directly involved in the planning and delivery of hospital discharge, together to discuss current practices and to explore successes and challenges. Book your place here.

Our People

Gary Sainty - Head of VCSE 

Jason Stamp - (Chair) Chief Officer, Forum 

Alison Semmence - (Vice Chair) Chief Executive, York CVS 

Jane Colthup - Chief Executive, Community First Yorkshire

Jamie Lewis - Chief Executive, Hey Smile Foundation

Jennifer Jonhson - Delivery Manager, Sector Support North East Lincolnshire Partnership

Lucy Stephenson - Chief Executive, Citizens Advice North Lincolnshire

Sam Haward - Head of Community Services, North Yorkshire Place

Erica Daley - NHS Place Director 

Penny Butcher - VCSE Programme Manager 

Drew Richardson - Strategic Volunteer Lead 

Beckie Deamer-Brooke - VCSE Business Support Officer 

Anna Boad - VCSE Collaborative Communications Lead
Meet the VCSE Collaborative Staff Team

Our Work:

Image of two people sitting under a canopy in a wooded area. They are carving small pieces of wood. Credit: Raincliffe Wood Community Enterprise CIC
Green Social Prescribing

Green Social Prescribing helps connect people with the outdoors and nature, bringing with it a huge range of mental and physical health benefits.

Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership has recently completed its work as a ‘test and learn’ site for Green Social Prescribing, one of only seven sites across England. 

A huge amount of learning has been captured, alongside valuable evidence that shows the significant impacts that outdoor and nature activities can have on those with mild to moderate mental ill health.
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Research Report: Contribution of the VCSE sector

The VCSE Collaborative commissioned a report, produced by Durham University, which outlines how Humber and North Yorkshire's VCSE sector continues to provide a lifeline to people and communities at a grassroots level. 

The 2023 report shows that there are an estimated 13,790 VCSE sector organisations (registered and unregistered) across Humber and North Yorkshire with an economic value of £1.5 billon and estimated value of £3.5 billion when considering added and social value. 
Read the research findings
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Skill Up – Community Organisers Programme Pilot 

Creating space for black, Asian and minoritised ethnic people is vital for the continuation of support provided by historically white institutions. That’s why the VCSE Collaborative commissioned an upskilling and community organising development programme specifically for black, Asian and minoritised ethnic community organisers called ‘Skill Up’. 

The focus is on upskilling and developing peer support networks to help tackle some of the challenges and barriers that exist around Hull and 
North Lincolnshire.

The role of the VCSE sector in Integrated Care Systems

A report, commissioned by NHS England explores the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector’s unique role in supporting provider collaboratives.

Key highlights from the report, include:

  • VCSE organisations are in a unique position to support provider collaboratives and that as a sector we bring innovation, expertise, experience and resources to the table. 
  • It is key for VCSE organisations to be engaged as early as possible to help us to be recognised as transformational strategic partners within provider collaboratives.
  • It is important to identify dedicated budget and resource to support the VCSE sector in playing an active part in provider collaboratives.
  • Through partnerships, we can represent communities rather than individual organisations.

As a sector we bring innovation, expertise, experience and resources to the table. 

Download Full Report

Useful Links:

Image of a white woman in glasses smiling at a woman of colour Doctor who has her back to the camera. The speech bubble reads: The courses are well thought out, introduce you to all the difference perspectives and provide you with, and involve you in practical demonstrations. I would definitely recommend

Free Personalised Care training for your organisation

Equip your staff and volunteers with the knowledge, skills and confidence to help individuals get more involved in decisions about their care. 

Access Personalised Care Training
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Inclusive Language Guidance now available to download

This document has been co-developed in partnership with a diverse group of colleagues to improve confidence around using inclusive language.

Download Inclusive Language Guidance
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Did you know you can access free training for your staff and volunteers?

Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership has a full programme of free events and training that all VCSE sector staff and volunteers can access. 

View full training programme

Featured Programmes

To view all of our programmes click here.

We want to create more efficient hospital-based services for people who need them, making the best use of the resources and workforce across our system to plan and deliver hospital care.

We want to help more people to survive cancer and support people in our region to live well with and beyond cancer.

We aim to ensure that people in our region are able to access advice, care and support in an urgent or emergency situation.

Working together to improve elective (planned) care locally is a key priority for the Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership.

We want to create more efficient hospital-based services for people who need them, making the best use of the resources and workforce across our system to plan and deliver hospital care.

Climate change poses the most significant long-term threat to our health, not to mention our planet. The Greener NHS programme will work with staff, hospitals and our partners.