A view from the turret on the ICS

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A way in which the ICS and the VCSE may come together?

Sitting largely in West Northamptonshire as VIN does, I am watching with interest the many and various developments within the ICS.

West Northamptonshire has taken 600 pages of NHS and Government Guidance and kindly distilled these into 10 workable ambitions. The North are likely to follow suit, with some sovereign differences.

The West Northamptonshire strap line is Live Your Best Life, and the high-level ambitions are these:

  • Thriving Childhood
  • Access to the best available education and learning
  • Opportunity to be fit, well and independent
  • Employment that keeps them and their families out of poverty
  • Housing that is affordable, safe, and sustainable in places which are clean and green
  • To feel safe in their homes and when out and about
  • Connected to their families and friends
  • The chance for a fresh start when things go wrong
  • Access to health and social care when they need it
  • To be accepted and valued simply for who they are.

It strikes me that within these 10 high level ambitions could be the key for how the VCSE will embed and work with the ICS. These ambitions are Thematic in nature, but they will allow for the VCSE voice to be connected to service delivery in its widest sense, at both a Locality (or Local Area Partnership Level) and at the point of Sub Place. The Assembly already works along some of these Thematic lines, and these Thematic areas could be expanded to ensure more VCSE organisations can help influence the decision-making process. Not every VCSE organisation will sit at every table. That is frankly impossible and unworkable. But there could be a clear rationale based upon these ambitions which allows for the right VCSE representation, in the right place and at the right time. VIN is applying for Health Equality Grant Funding which will help broker who sits where and why.

And I also have a plea: If you are not part of an Assembly Thematic Group join one. Beyond the Collaboratives it’s the best way of remaining connected and understanding the impacts of the ICS. Contact Kerri Marshall – Duckett at kerri@vcseassembly.org.uk for more information on the Thematic Groups and how you can join.

East Midlands Academic Health Science Network (EMAHSN) Public Involvement Fund is open.

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The East Midlands Academic Health Science Network (EMAHSN) Public Involvement Fund is open.

Up to 15 awards of £2,000 will be offered to successful groups in the East Midlands region.

This funding will support patient, carer and public involvement in health and social care research, innovation, and transformation across the East Midlands. In honour of Veronica Price-Job who sadly passed away this year, we particularly welcome applications that involve the public in address health and social care inequalities.

This funding is aimed at health, social care, charities, voluntary and third sector organisations and groups.

Applications for the funding will be considered by a panel including a representative from the East Midlands Patient Public Involvement Senate, an independent group of patients and carers with varied health and service user experience.

The deadline for applications is midnight on Thursday 30 June 2022.

For more information, for terms and conditions and to apply you can visit our website www.emahsn.org.uk/publicinvolvementfund

For further details contact:

Emma Coates

Patient Public Involvement Officer

East Midlands Academic Health Science Network

Phone: 0777 361 0744

Email: emma.coates@nottingham.ac.uk

Becoming an ICS in Northamptonshire

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The Integrated Care System or ICS forms on the 1st of July 2022. At its head will be both an Integrated Care Board (or ICB) and an Integrated Care Partnership (ICP) supported by the context of Place and Sub Place across both unitary authorities.

The ICS is a complex beast, but the Health and Care Partnership have produced a useful booklet which explains the journey so far.

This can be downloaded here:

Becoming an ICS: Our Journey So Far – Northamptonshire Health and Care Partnership (northamptonshirehcp.co.uk)

If you want an update on the ICS join VIN at our Network Session on the 30th of June 2022. To book your place click here:

VCSE Online Network Tickets, Thu 30 Jun 2022 at 10:00 | Eventbrite

 

The Mayor of Northampton becomes the Civic Lead for the PTC.

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The Mayor of Northampton, Rufia Ashraf becomes the Poverty Truth Commission Civic Lead for West Northamptonshire.

As Civic Lead the Mayor endorses the work of the Commission and will become part of the various Task and Finish Groups which will sense check the West Northamptonshire Anti-Poverty strategy as it develops.

The strategy goes to full cabinet in June of 2022, so watch this space for more information.

The Commission is always looking for new people to tell their stories of Poverty of Financial Vulnerability. In this way the Lived Experience can be brought to bear on local policies and policy formulation. If you have a story to tell, please contact Russell.rolph@voluntaryimpact.org.uk

 

ICS: Embedding the VCSE Workshop 9th May 2022

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Over 40 VCSE organisations attended the second VIN organised workshop on Embedding the Sector into the ICS. Held at the Kettering Conference Centre, speakers included David Watts from North Northamptonshire Council, Joanne Fletcher from the Health and Care Partnership, Naomi Eisenstadt (the designate Chair of the new ICB), Sarah Hiller the CEO of Northamptonshire MIND and Miranda Wixon (the Independent Chair of the VCSE Assembly) ably supported by Kerri Marshall – Duckett of VIN.

 

The slides for this event can be found here:

Northamptonshire ICS, North Northants – Place

CYP Transformation Programme 

The Northamptonshire VCSE Assembly

Our ICS  

Mental Health Northants Collaboration  

 

 The post lunch question focussed on how the VCSE as a collective could take advantage of the opportunities on offer, especially around Point of Place Transformation. Delegates were divided into tables, and their respective thoughts can be found in this single document.

 

This event was funded through the Healthy Communities Fund.

 

Delegates are asked to look out for further events as the ICS develops. These will always be made available at our website or through our Friday Bulletin. To subscribe to our bulletin please contact sophie.negus@voluntaryimpact.org.uk

 

Virtual Wellbeing Festival 4th to 8th July 2022

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The Health and Care System within Northamptonshire hosts an annual Virtual Wellbeing Festival for all health and social care staff in Northamptonshire, including those who work or volunteer in the Voluntary or Community Sector. The week-long event serves as a chance for these colleagues to spend some time focusing on themselves, whether that is listening to insightful headliner sessions, trying something new or connecting with people from across the county.

Headline speakers for this year’s event include Nicola Adams, Dr Amir Khan, Samantha Clarke, Dr Michael Mosley, and Mr Motivator.

There is also a website where general informal can be found and sessions can be booked: Click here for more information: NHCP Virtual Wellbeing Festival | NHFT

Friday Bulletin

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In this Friday Bulletin, learn more about our upcoming event for the Poverty Truth Commission, Mental Health Awareness Week, the latest free training sessions and much more.

Volunteer Passport Scheme

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The  Volunteer Passport scheme is a unique service to support volunteers or organisations recruiting volunteers, which will  launch across Northamptonshire next Monday, 9 May. Find more information here

 

 

Dementia Action Week 16th – 22nd May 2022

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Each year, Alzheimer’s Society holds Dementia Action Week to encourage people to take action to improve the lives of people affected by dementia. With many dementia diagnosis rates at a five-year low, tens of thousands of people across the country are currently living with undiagnosed dementia. This means they don’t have access to the vital care and support that a diagnosis can bring. Getting a diagnosis can be daunting, but the society believe it’s better to know: 91% of people affected by dementia also agree. That’s why this year’s theme for Dementia Action Week is diagnosis. For more information about the week and how to get involved as a partner organisation click here.

The Integrated Care System

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The Integrated Care System process is gaining pace in Northamptonshire, and VIN recently contributed to the proposed Government White Paper on People and Places.

The focus session was led by the NHS Voluntary Partnerships Team and included contributors from across the VCSE Sector within the UK.

The response can be seen here

 Continue to view the VIN website for more updates on the ICS as it progresses: What’s new | Voluntary Impact Northampton