 VSNW Regional Roundup Autumn 2025 Welcome to the latest edition of the Voluntary Sector North West (VSNW) Regional Roundup. As we head into the final months of the year, the calendar is filling fast with events and opportunities. This roundup shares what’s been happening across the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector and what’s still to come. Opening noteBefore we share our usual updates, we want to pause to acknowledge the violent attack on Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue on Middleton Road in Crumpsall, Manchester, yesterday (Thursday 2 October). We are deeply shocked and saddened, and our thoughts are with all those affected at this profoundly difficult time. You can read the full response from the Greater Manchester VCFSE Leadership group here. Warren's Words From a rising demand for services to increasing pressures on resources, we all know the challenges that many VCFSE organisations are facing. At the same time, there are moments of hope – with new partnerships, new voices being heard, and a real determination to make systems work more inclusively for the people we serve. At VSNW, we’re continuing to focus on how we can best support the sector through these times. Our annual conference in November will be a chance to come together, share learning, and reflect on how we build resilient organisations in such a difficult climate. Across the North West, we see brilliant examples of VCFSE organisations stepping up to support people through the cost-of-living crisis, championing equality and inclusion, and shaping fairer systems. But we know there is still much more to do. I look forward to seeing many of you at the conference and continuing these important conversations together. Warren Escadale - VSNW's Chief Executive Latest news and updates  Our new website is live We’re excited to share that our brand new VSNW website has officially launched. The site has been designed to make it easier to find news, resources and events, and to better showcase the work of the VCFSE sector across the North West. Things may shift a little as we make final adjustments, but we’re delighted to invite you to explore. VISIT THE NEW SITE £500 grant opportunity for small charities and community groups As Network for Europe closes after almost 40 years of supporting the North West VCSE sector, we’re proud to be working with them to offer a £500 Legacy Grant. This one-off grant is designed to celebrate and share an activity you’re proud of – something that strengthens community life, brings people together, or helps people take the next step forward. The funding is unrestricted, so you can use it where it’s needed most. The deadline for applicants is Monday 3 November and the successful applicant will be celebrated at the VSNW Annual Conference in Manchester on Thursday 27 November 2025. APPLY NOW Launching the BRIDGE Research Network We’re proud to announce the launch of the BRIDGE Research Network – a free online platform bringing together the VCFSE sector, academic researchers, and health and care professionals from across the North West. BRIDGE (Bridging Research Initiatives for Diverse Grassroots Engagement) is about making research more inclusive and rooted in lived experience, ensuring communities are equal partners in shaping knowledge and practice. Details of the launch event are featured later in this roundup – but you don’t have to wait... SIGN UP NOW Events and opportunities Our conference is now fully booked We’ve been overwhelmed by the response to this year’s VSNW Conference and AGM, From Uncertainty to Strength. All places are now filled – thank you to everyone who has registered. If you missed out, don’t worry, we’ve opened a waitlist. Please add your name and we’ll let you know if a place becomes available. If you’re already registered but can no longer attend, please cancel your booking so that someone else can take your place. We can’t wait to welcome so many of you in November for what promises to be an inspiring day. JOIN WAITLIST Join us for the BRIDGE launch event Date: Monday 20 October Time: 1pm - 2.30pm Location: Online To celebrate the launch, BRIDGE is hosting an online event to bring people together and showcase what BRIDGE can offer. This event is open to VCFSE organisations, researchers, healthcare professionals and anyone with an interest in building more inclusive research partnerships. What to expect:
RESERVE YOUR FREE PLACE LCR organisations: Strengthen your organisation’s anti-racism practice Applications are now open for a new development programme supporting VCFSE organisations across the Liverpool City Region to strengthen their anti-racism practice. Delivered in collaboration with VS6 Partnership, Mabadiliko CIC and the LCR Race Equality Hub, the programme offers tailored support including workshops, organisational assessments, leadership development and one-to-one guidance. It’s open to charities, community groups, faith organisations and social enterprises in Liverpool, Wirral, Sefton, St Helens, Knowsley and Halton. By taking part, organisations will build the tools, skills and confidence needed to challenge inequalities, embed anti-racism in their work, and better support diverse communities. If your organisation is ready to take the next step in its anti-racism journey, you can submit an Expression of Interest form. FIND OUT MORE Workshop: Help shape an agreement to enable effective working between the public and VCFSE sectors in Greater Manchester Date: Thursday 23 October Time: 10am - 12.30pm Location: St Thomas Centre Stakeholders are being invited to have their say on the GM VCFSE Leadership Group’s open consultation on a new Greater Manchester voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) Accord agreement. The current GM VCFSE Accord is a formal agreement between the GM VCFSE Sector represented by the GM VCFSE Leadership Group, GMCA and TfGM, and NHS GM, based in a relationship of mutual trust and sharing responsibility This workshop is an opportunity to help shape the refreshed agreement, including its underlying values and principles, priorities for change, how it could be implemented, and what work could be delivered at a Greater Manchester-level to support its aims. REGISTER Become a member
If you are a VCFSE organisation interested in engaging with Voluntary Sector North West, we invite you to become part of our network. You can join, free of charge, as either a full member or an associate member. JOIN HERE Comments are closed.
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