Neighbourhood Health
Our news feed on all things NHS Neighbourhood Health and the VCFSE
Mapping the sector
Posted on 14th January 2026
Below are some of the considerations and headings we are going to use to map and frame the VCFSE as we start our journey together. We share them here for your reference for our January 26 conference and beyond.
Determinants / Outcomes
These are the difference your service organisation makes and the outcome to create for people.
e.g Choir - music/singing is the activity/tool, but wellbeing and cultural expression are the end goals / outcomes.
The headings we will use on the day:
- Environment and Housing
- Social Connection and Loneliness
- Financial Stability
- Children, Young People and Families
- Wellbeing
- Culture and Identity
Local Support
We would encourage reflection on how people behave, the choices they make and if they act differently in crisis to dealing with a long term goal.
Three questions:
- Where do people go for help when they are struggling?
- Where are people supporting each other already?
- Which assets are fragile?
By 'fragile' we mean those that are funding dependent, have an uncertain future or rely heavily or exclusively on volunteers or a small group of people. This is not by any means a bad thing, we add it so that we consider the whole picture and how it can work in the long term.
Gaps & Underserved Communities
We are trying to consider groups we may have not met their needs for whatever reason.
Consider this under 3 headings:
- Geographic – nothing in that neighbourhood
- Population – older men, diverse communities, carers
- System – referral barriers, exclusion, waiting times
Early Help and Prevention for the VCFSE
Posted 9th January 2026
A presentation by Mike Bridges explaining the wider determinants of health and how prevention is viewed from a health perspective.
Presented to our Autumn 2025 Conference and will be referenced in our January 2026 Conference.
Embedding VCFSE in Neighbourhood Health
Posted 15th December 2025
A presentation explaining the concepts surrounding how the NHS Neighbourhood Plan is currently structured and the proposed role of the VCFSE in the system.
Presented by colleagues from VSNW, HSHVCS and SCVS
WVA Conference - Autumn 2025
Posted on 15th December 2025
Below is a summary shared with the delegates of the conference.
WVA Conference Autumn 25 | NHS 10 year plan | One-Page Summary
This summary was created by asking Copilot AI to find trends and summarise the presentation used at the conference.
NEIGHBOURHOOD HEALTH & VCFSE SECTOR
- Community-led health initiatives are central to Warrington's approach.
- VCFSE sector plays a vital role in prevention, early help, and holistic wellbeing.
NHS 10-YEAR PLAN HIGHLIGHTS
- Strategic shifts: hospital to community, analogue to digital, sickness to prevention.
- Integrated Neighbourhood Teams and social prescribing are key delivery models.
- VCFSE groups are essential partners in tackling health inequalities and digital exclusion.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES (PILLARS)
- Capacity building
- Equal partnership
- Shared goals
- Resource transparency
- Fair recognition
- Inclusive practice
NEIGHBOURHOOD MODEL
- Recommended population size: 30,000–50,000.
- Core components: PHM, MDTs, urgent services, intermediate care, and standardised community health.
PREVENTION FRAMEWORK
- Primary: stop problems before they start.
- Secondary: early detection and intervention.
- Tertiary: manage harm and complex needs.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
- Emphasis on 'With’ism' (co-production) over 'To’ism’ (do to).
- Suggested effective forms of engagement - forums, drop-ins, and targeted consultations
CLOSING MESSAGE
- Collaboration across sectors is key.- VCFSE sector’s flexibility and lived experience are assets.
- Focus on inclusive, transparent, and community-driven health transformation.