Greg (3/4)

What do you enjoy most about delivering Safe Hands?

Behind every programme is a team who care deeply about what they do. Greg reflects on what delivering Safe Hands means to him.

Watch the clip to hear more.
https://impactfs.co.uk/safe-hands/

#ImpactFamilyServices #SafeHands #VCSE

Today VONNE are hosting the Assura VCSE Outcomes for Health Commissioning online workshop

The project, which I coordinate, is co-creating a framework better to measure the impact of VCSE organisations in health commissioning

Great to have voices from across the region today

#VCSE #HealthOutcomes

2026 Charity Digital Skills Report Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.

Charity Digital Skills Report survey 2026

Participation will help map sectorwide digital trends and identify where organisations need support

Sharing your experiences, can help create a valuable resource that the entire sector can use

#CharityDigiReport #DigitalSkills #AI #NonProfit #VCSE

Enterprise Development Programme Evaluation Making social investment work better for charities and social enterprises. Helping them to become more financially sustainable and reach more people.

Proud to have been a Partner on the #EnterpriseDevelopment Programme (EDP) launched by @access-si.bsky.social

We supported 50+ mental health #VCSE organisations in developing enterprise models & diversifying their income.

Read the evaluation report:
access-socialinvestment.org.uk/news-and-ins...

Deepening poverty: why the health innovation response must recognise the integral role of the VCSE — Ways to Wellness The findings of the ‘UK Poverty 2026’ report from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation are unsurprising yet shocking. In the wake of years of austerity, followed by the economic impact of a global pandemi...

“The findings of the ‘UK Poverty 2026’ report from the @jrf-uk.bsky.social are unsurprising yet shocking”, states Ways to Wellness Chief Executive Sandra Mitchell-Phillips.

Why the health innovation response must recognise the integral role of the #VCSE.

www.waystowellness.org.uk/newsblogs/de...

Calling #charities & groups: how is #volunteering working in your organisation?

The #VCSE Observatory wants your views on recruiting & retaining volunteers for its latest State of the Sector survey. Wave 13 closes 24 Feb.

Take part: buff.ly/FD5UL2E

Our clients at Roots HR CIC offer a range of useful tools and #freebies on their website including #webinars #toolkits and #factsheets

The team can also advise you on the biggest shake-up to UK employment law in over a decade
www.rootshr.org.uk/free-resources

#hrsupport #vcse #socialenterprise

With major reforms progressing across the sector, this is a crucial moment to understand not just the legislation, but the practical realities of delivery. Don't miss our event with @cpa-socialcare.bsky.social to find out more 👇

#MentalHealth #VCSE #Webinar

#CollaborationForHealth at ReCoCo Newcastle

Great discussion on #VCSE #research partnerships with trust, lived expertise & long-term relationships but hindered by language gaps, short-term funding, extractive models, unequal power

Collaboration needs shared agendas & authority not just involvement

Thanks to all the #VCSE and community organisations, teachers, counsellors and other professionals and individuals working hard to support children and young people

#ChildrensMentalHealthWeek

In this blog Francesca Morland, VONNE's Health and Wellbeing Research Partnerships Coordinator, reflects on the work that has been happening to connect health and care researchers with the VCSE sector, and shares what is planned for the year ahead

#VCSE #research #health #wellbeing

Aston University’s Social Economy Growth Programme supports organisations under 2 years old with incomes of £10k–£100k, and includes peer learning, mentoring and a £1,000 grant.

🔗 Apply here:
www.aston.ac.uk/business/ace...

#SocialEconomy #VCSE #WestMidlands

Join us on Wed 4 March, 1–2:30 pm for our webinar exploring what the Mental Health Act 2025 means for rights-based care & implementation across systems. Learn what good implementation looks like for the #VCSE #mentalhealth sector & what needs to change.
www.careprovideralli...

Jane Tomlinson Appeal announces a £250k Big Charity Giveaway on a pink background with a Funding logo.

The Jane Tomlinson Appeal has launched the Big Charity Giveaway, offering grants from a few hundred pounds up to £15,000. Charities in Yorkshire are invited to apply for a share of the £250,000 funding pot.

https://ow.ly/atfw50Y17zy

#FundingOpportunity #VCSE

(NCVO) Keep Volunteering Voluntary: Get Involved Join us at our ‘Special volunteering network meeting: Keep volunteering voluntary’. Have your say on the government's consultation on making volunteering a tool in its immigration proposals. This special event is exclusively for members to share and learn, and feed directly into NCVO’s response.

📢 @ncvo.bsky.social want to hear from you! Have your say on the government's consultation on making volunteering a tool in its immigration proposals. Your evidence can inform a stronger #VCSE sector response.

Fill in this form by Thursday 22nd January, 9am

www.bvsc.org/news/ncvo-ke...

Healthwatch York has published a progress review of mental health services in York.

You can read what people want from better support services and the new approach proposed here: https://ow.ly/JKAs50XW098

#MentalHealth #York #VCSE

Reflecting on 2025 and Looking Ahead to 2026 As we close out 2025, we want to offer our heartfelt thanks for your continued support, dedication, and hard work. The past few years have brought extraordinary challenges, yet you have remained…

As the year gets underway, we’re reflecting on what we learnt from 2025 and looking ahead to what matters most in 2026.

👉 amhp.org.uk/reflecting-on-2025-and-l...

#MentalHealth #VCSE #2026

Redefining roles: Building postgraduate capacity for community engagement | The Young Foundation Join this in-person event of talks, interactive workshops and networking opportunities to showcase the work of Undisciplined Spaces

London in January: 2 connected spaces, 1 question about power

Attending Redefining Roles (Undisciplined Spaces, KCL & The Young Foundation), focusing on community-engaged doctoral training

Participation is everywhere. Power still isn’t

#Capitalism #MentalHealth #Community #VCSE #PhD #CoProduction

Our first BSSEC newsletter of 2026 is out 📬
A gentle start to the year with updates, insight and what’s coming up for the West Midlands social economy.

Not on the list yet? Now’s a good time to join: bssec.org.uk/contact/

#SocialEconomy #VCSE #WestMidlands

Our first Social Economy Forum of 2026 focuses on supporting women-led social enterprises to start and grow.

📅 28 Jan 2026 | 🕚 11:00–12:30
📍 SWEDA, West Bromwich

Join us / get a calendar invite: jakira.khanam@bssec.org.uk

#VCSE #SocialEconomy #WestMidlands #WomenInBusiness

Just finished a piece of work I care deeply about. From Participation to Power asks why “co-production” in mental health research keeps growing while power doesn’t shift, and how VCSE knowledge gets invited in but rarely allowed to lead

#VCSE #NHS #Capitalism #NeoLiberalism #MentalHealth #Research

Connecting communities, enabling common ground: the role of local infrastructure Across England, many communities are feeling the effects of disconnection and isolation. Economic insecurity, the loss of shared spaces, polarisation online, and ongoing inequalities have created cond...

Today, NAVCA publish a new report on the urgent need to strengthen social cohesion and counter extremism

It highlights the role that local #VCSE infrastructure organisations are already playing in bringing people together, supporting connection and helping communities find common ground

Our December Social Economy NEWS is out 🎄
A reflective end-of-year edition for the West Midlands social economy, shared with subscribers only.

Already signed up? Check your inbox.
Not yet? Now’s a good time 💜
bssec.org.uk/contact/

#SocialEconomy #VCSE #WestMidlands

Joined the @vssn1.bsky.social New Researchers meet-up

Being a part-time #PhD researcher can feel lonely at times, so connecting with others in #VCSE research really helps

Picking up great tips on writing, retreats, and ways to strengthen my thinking for both my PhD and my role at VONNE

#Research

Tomorrow we’re at Better Pathways in Digbeth for our next Social Economy FORUM on working with the private sector + shared value in practice.

Want to join us? Email Jakira for a calendar invite: jakira.khanam@bssec.org.uk

#WestMidlandsSocialEconomy #VCSE #SocEnt

This #UKCharityWeek I want to thank every charity, volunteer and VCSE organisation

Your work changes lives every day. I’m grateful for the amazing people I’ve met and everything this sector has given me personally, professionally and through my PhD journey ❤️

#charity #VCSE #charityweek2025

500 followers! 🎉 Thanks so much for being here with me

I came to Bluesky from 'the other place' to share my #VCSE work, #mentalhealth lived experience and life as a mam of 5 doing a #PhD, with the odd bit of #history, #running, #film & #TV thrown in

Grateful for every chat, boost and kind word 💛

Now a member of the UK Evaluation Society! 🎉

Joined via my Assura Coordinator role at VONNE where I am Development Coordinator, supporting #VCSE - ICB relationships, exploring outcome and impact frameworks

Perfect timing for my #PhD on VCSE roles in #mentalhealth research and power in partnerships

What a week for the West Midlands social economy — SED25 was buzzing with ideas and connection.
Our latest BSSEC newsletter is out now with fresh updates + opportunities.
Get it straight to your inbox: bssec.org.uk/contact/

#VCSE #SocEnt #SED2025

Clear message from today’s panel: the #VCSE has real power to shape local priorities as politics shifts and devolution grows

Our insight, relationships and lived experience must guide decisions that affect people most

#VONNE2025