Equality and Equity
Striving to be equitable, inclusive and accessible. Ensuring everyone has a voice and considering additional needs.
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Bristol, North Somerset and
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The Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) Alliance is an exciting collaboration between the Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire regional health and care system and the VCSE sector.
Our mission is to enable VCSE organisations to engage with the health and care system at a strategic level, providing opportunities to share our knowledge of communities and influence the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care System to create positive change. The VCSE Alliance is also the host of the VCSE Brokerage Framework.
We host regular free events for all charities, community groups, and social enterprises, sharing opportunities to collaborate with our local health and care system.
The establishment of the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire VCSE Alliance is funded by NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board (ICB) during 2023/24 and 2024/25. It is currently hosted by local voluntary sector infrastructure organisation Voscur.
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Vision and aims
We want to improve the wellbeing and health of people and communities by enabling the VCSE sector to influence and collaborate with the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care System.
We are committed to enhancing the role of the VCSE sector as a key strategic partner in the transformation and delivery of local health and wellbeing.
The three aims of the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire VCSE Alliance are to:
- Encourage and enable the VCSE sector to work in a coordinated way to inform policy, strategy and decision-making.
- Provide the NHS & health and social care colleagues with a simple route of contact, engagement, and links to community.
- Better position the VCSE sector to contribute to the design and delivery of integrated care.
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Principles and behaviours
The VCSE Alliance believes collaboration is the best way to provide high-quality, joined-up support to people and communities.
By working together, we play to our individual strengths and have the power to create positive change.
The VCSE Alliance is committed to the following behaviours and principles:
Transparency, Honesty and Openness
Maintaining transparency in our practices, acknowledging when things don’t go smoothly, and learning from mistakes.
Trust and Respect
Cultivating trust, considering power dynamics, and maintaining mutual respect and agreed boundaries.
Focus, Commitment and Accountability
Ensuring clarity of purpose, a shared vision, solid processes, and strong decision-making frameworks, while remaining flexible and responsive to feedback.
Excellent Communication
Communicating in diverse, consistent, and accessible ways.
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The structure of the VCSE Alliance
A visual representation of the VCSE Alliance Structure, as explained in the information below.
Download the terms of reference for the VCSE AllianceWe host regular events open to all VCSE organisations working with communities on wellbeing and health. Our focus extends beyond primary and secondary care to include all the wider determinants of health such as homelessness and housing, poverty and food, education, families and transport.
By joining the network, you can stay updated on our work, contribute to strategic initiatives, and learn about upcoming opportunities.
Any VCSE organisation based in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire or a regional/national VCSE organisation that is actively delivering services in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire and/or support to Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire citizens can join the Alliance.
Find out more about joining the VCSE Alliance.
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VCSE Alliance Ambassadors
Our Ambassadors advocate for the VCSE Alliance across the Integrated Care System. This role allows individuals to share expertise and contribute to improving community outcomes.
Ambassadors receive support from the VCSE Alliance Programme team, including training and access to an ‘inclusion fund’ for their participation in Alliance activities.
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The Steering Group
The VCSE Alliance is led by a steering group of strategic, system leaders across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire. They steer the Alliance’s strategic work to maximise positive impact. See current interim Steering Group members.
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The Coordination Group
A subset of the Steering Group, the Coordination Group handles day-to-day operations and supports the VCSE Alliance programme team members.
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Key Alliance contacts
An interim Steering Group has been established to oversee the development of the VCSE Alliance. The members are:
- ACFA The Advice Network
- Age UK Bristol (on behalf of the Bristol Aging Better Alliance)
- Bristol Black Carers
- BS3 Community Development
- Citizens’ Advice North Somerset
- Creative Youth Network
- CVS South Gloucestershire
- For All Healthy Living Company
- Knowle West Health Park
- Second Step (on behalf of the BNSSG VCSE Mental Health Alliance)
- Stand Against Racism & Inequality (SARI)
- Southern Brooks
- Southmead Development Trust
- Voluntary Action North Somerset (VANS)
- Voscur
- We Care Home Improvements
- WECIL
- Wellspring Settlement
- West of England Rural Network (WERN)
- Wesport
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VCSE Alliance Programme team members
The VCSE Alliance has a small team of staff working to meet the VCSE Alliance aims and objectives.
- Ellie Oriel – Strategic Programme Manager
- Spencer Blackwell – Partnerships Development Officer
- Megan Stanley – Project Support Co-ordinator
If you’d like to get in touch to find out more about the VCSE Alliance, contact us at: contact@bnssgvcsealliance.org.
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How to get involved
Are you an employee or volunteer for a charity, community group or social enterprise based in Bristol, North Somerset or South Gloucestershire?
Your organisation can join the VCSE Alliance to help shape our local healthcare systems and the wellbeing and health of our communities.
Please complete this online form to express your interest in joining the VCSE Alliance.
The VCSE Alliance has a monthly newsletter that contains the latest updates on the VCSE Alliance work, upcoming events, funding information and opportunities for you to get involved.
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Upcoming meetings
Our next VCSE Alliance events are on:
- September – 26 September 10am-12pm (online)
- November – 14 November 10am-12pm (online)
Events by the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire VCSE Alliance can be booked through Eventbrite.