Five-Year Strategic Commissioning Plan

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The ICB Cluster of Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland (LNR) have just released their new 5 Year Plan as they move into the role of Strategic Commissioners.

Their stated Commissioning objectives are:

•  Elective care – improving access and reducing long waits, modernising pathways, reducing unwarranted variation and delivering more care closer to home.

•  Urgent and emergency care – creating a resilient, integrated, and community-focused system that delivers the right care, in the right place, first time, with stronger prevention, same-day care and alternatives to admission.

•  Neighbourhoods – developing a Neighbourhood Health Service, delivered through Integrated Neighbourhood Teams, supported by digital connectivity, shared care records, and population health management.

 

Alongside these system priorities, The ICB Cluster have identified three strategic transformation ambitions that reflect the most significant population health challenges across LNR:

•  Frailty – enabling people to live a healthy older age with independence and dignity through early identification, proactive and personalised support, and reduced reliance on hospital care.

•  Preventable mortality – preventing early deaths from cardiovascular disease, cancer and respiratory disease through prevention, early diagnosis, and improved long-term condition management.

•  Children and young people’s mental health and neurodiversity – creating a joined-up, needs-led system that enables earlier, more equitable access to support, reduced waiting times and better transitions across the life course. 

The ICB Cluster Plan can be viewed at Page 5.

For those VCFSE organisations interested in Neighbourhood Health and Development this can be viewed at Page 24.

Russell Rolph, the CEO of VIN states:

It is always useful to see the long-term aspirations of our ICB cluster now that it stretches beyond Northamptonshire. VIN, in rotation, has a place at the Cluster Executive and will continue to advocate for our VCFSE. I am interested to see how the ICB Strategic Commissioning role plays out in the world of Neighbourhood Health. For me, there is still much work to be done in involving the VCFSE in health inequalities and health and wealth creation, particularly at a local level where most of our organisations live, work and invest.

VIN launches Managing Change

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VIN launchers its new short-term strategy entitled Managing Change.

The Strategy can be found here

Russell Rolph, the CEO of VIN states:

VIN launches its new short-term strategy at a time when the VCFSE is under more pressure than ever. VIN is not immune from these challenges and must find a new way of ensuring the future longevity of Infrastructure Support in West Northamptonshire. For us, it means widening our portfolio of funders and delivering more projects, although we will always look to do this in Partnership with others. Over the next 15 months the concept of Partnership will mean more and must do more. The future of the very VCFSE depends upon those Partnerships working and working well. At the same time, VIN will stay committed to its Core function – advocacy, representation, social action, volunteering, and Group Support. We will further align our priorities and approach with South Northants Volunteer Bureau under the banner of Social Action West Northamptonshire (SAWN) , and as SAWN we need to look beyond West Northamptonshire and build Partnerships in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Lucy Rigby MP visits VIN

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Lucy Rigby the MP for Northampton North visited VIN last week to celebrate National Volunteers Week.

Volunteers from VINs Elderly Befriending Project (Happy at Home) and our Car Scheme were in attendance to explain the importance of volunteering and what works well for them.

Lucy was particularly interested in the barriers to increased volunteering, especially amongst young people.

An interesting debate ensued, with contributions form Russell Rolph the CEO of VIN and Rachel Bott, the Centre Director of the Doddridge Centre.

Russell states:

It was great to see Lucy last week. She seemed genuinely interested in the barriers to volunteering and has asked me to provide a position paper on the ways in which volunteering could be increased, particularly around Northampton and its surrounds and especially amongst Young People. I have promised to do this, with a particular emphasis on funding, why the ethos of Volunteering is Free has so much momentum and the message’s that both central and local government should be imparting. I would like to thank all the VIN volunteers that took the time to speak freely and honestly about their experiences. It is appreciated. I would also like to thank Rachel from the Doddridge Centre for contributing, and to Roz (my Happy at Home Co-ordinator) for providing the biscuits and strawberries.

The Big Conversation

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West Northamptonshire Council are embarking on the Big Conversation regarding Adult Social Care Provision.

They are reaching out to the VCFSE for support and help in spreading the word.

 

Why the VCFSE?

As a voluntary or community organisation, you hold trusted relationships with people the local authority may not always reach. You understand their experiences, their strengths, and the barriers they face. That’s why your role is vital in helping the local authority ensure everyone can be heard.

 

What’s Happening?

West Northamptonshire Council are developing a new plan for adult social care in West Northamptonshire. To shape it, they are launching a survey and a series of “Big Conversation” events across the county. These are safe, welcoming spaces where people can share their thoughts, ideas, and experiences.

How can the VCFSE help?

The VCFSE can:

Area

Chosen Venue

Date

Time

Eventbrite Link

Northampton North & East

Broadmead Community Church, Broadmead Avenue, Northampton, NN3 2QY

29th June

10am – 12pm

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-big-conversation-help-us-shape-adult-social-care-in-west-northants-tickets-1990632149345

Northampton Central

Doddridge Centre, 109 St James Road, Northampton, NN5 5LD

29th June

2pm – 4pm

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-big-conversation-help-us-shape-adult-social-care-in-west-northants-tickets-1990632340918

Northampton South & West

Duston Community Centre, Pendle Road, Northampton, NN5 6DT

1st July

10am – 12pm

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-big-conversation-help-us-shape-adult-social-care-in-west-northants-tickets-1990632426173

Rural North & West

Daventry Leisure Centre, Lodge Road, Daventry, NN11 4FP

2nd July

10am – 12pm

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-big-conversation-help-us-shape-adult-social-care-in-west-northants-tickets-1990632479332

Rural South & East

SNVB The Riverside Centre, Islington Road, Towcester, NN12 6AU

2nd July

2pm – 4pm

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-big-conversation-help-us-shape-adult-social-care-in-west-northants-tickets-1990632508419

MHLDA Triple Squeeze Report

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The Mental Health, Learning Disability and Autism collaborative have produced a Triple Squeeze Report which can be read here

It paints a picture of funding restrictions, increased demand and the pressures faced by charities because of the increase in both the minimum wage and national insurance contributions, legislated in the last Government budget.

Our Northamptonshire VCFSE sector and its challenges mirror the national picture.

From a VIN perspective, the report is a yet another which confirms the perilous state of our sector in these difficult economic times. Ultimately though, it’s not about charities or their structures or people but the beneficiaries they serve. If the sector starts to degrade our communities will be the poorer for it, and out statutory colleges will not be able to fill those gaps.

As for what can be done, well that’s a much trickier conundrum but it starts with Central Government and works through Local Government and Local Funders.

As CEO of VIN, I welcome the debate, not about restrictions or reductions but how better value can be achieved for what’s already committed.

VIN attends Volunteer Fair

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On the 2nd of June 2026 VIN staff attended the Volunteer Fair at Weston Favell to mark National Volunteers Week. Around 12 charities were in attendance, and VIN staff spoke to 20 potential volunteers.

NLIVE organised the event and were running their local radio segment on all things volunteering.

Russell Rolph, the VIN CEO states:

It was nice to see so many charities in attendance, generating interest from local shoppers and potential volunteers. Many thanks to NLIVE for organising, and for Weston Favell Shopping Centre for facilitating. It’s great to mark National Volunteers Week. Volunteers are vitally important for the local voluntary sector and bless us with their skills and knowledge. I would encourage any individual to consider volunteering to make new friends, use their skills, and learn something new.

For more information about volunteering please E-Mail VIN on info@voluntaryimpact.org.uk

You can also visit the County Wide Volunteering Platform at: Community Action Northants – Volunteering opportunities in Northamptonshire

 

NHFT achieve Advanced Foundation Status

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Following a robust and rigorous assessment by NHS England, NHFT have achieved Advanced Foundation Status as a Trust (AFT).

This is an important milestone for NHFT and for the wider health and care system in Northamptonshire. Advanced foundation trusts will be the new marker of excellence for providers that drive delivery of the NHS’s three shifts: from hospital to community, from analogue to digital, and from sickness to prevention; improve access and health inequalities; and work with partners to improve population health. For NHFT, this recognition reflects the strength of the partnerships and pathways of care we have built with patients, carers, service users, community and voluntary groups, other NHS providers, and local authorities over many years.

As a first-wave adopter, NHFT will help shape how this model develops in practice. AFT status is also expected to bring greater autonomy and less bureaucracy, creating more opportunity to transform and improve pathways for local communities.

The CEO for NHFT Angela Hillery states:

In Northamptonshire, we are committed to continuing our work with NHS Northamptonshire Integrated Care Board and partners across the system to strengthen the knowledge and skills needed to support the county’s population. With a clear focus on improving outcomes for children and young people, people with mental health, learning disability or neurodiverse needs, supporting frailty, and supporting people with long term conditions.

As an Advanced Foundation Trust, NHFT will also be eligible to hold an Integrated Health Organisation (IHO) contract, which would give us responsibility for improving the health of a defined population and the associated health budget. NHFT is one of two organisations in the first wave undergoing this additional assessment, and we expect an outcome of this process later in the year. We are also working closely with the ICB to explore this together.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. This recognition reflects the strength of our shared commitment to improving care and outcomes for the people and communities we serve, and we look forward to continuing this work together.

 

NLive Radio announces date for this year Northampton Volunteer Fair

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NLive Radio, the local radio station for Northampton, is excited to announce this year’s Northampton Volunteer Fair, the second event of its kind, will be taking place on Tuesday 2nd June at Weston Favell Shopping Centre, from 10am to 3pm.

Organised as part of National Volunteers’ Week, the event aims to promote volunteering and support local charities and community groups in recruiting new volunteers.

Rebecca Steers, Station Manager at NLive Radio, said; “As Northampton’s local radio station, we’re proud to support and celebrate the spirit of volunteering in our town, and work with charities and community groups to provide a platform recruit volunteers”

This vibrant, in-person event at Weston Favell shopping centre invites residents from across the whole of Northampton and the surrounding area to discover how they can give back, get involved, and make a real difference in their community.

Kevin Legg, Centre Manager said; “We’re proud to support this event at Weston Favell Shopping Centre and help create a great experience for our visitors and community.”

Several charities and community organisations will be present, ready to share the inspiring work they do and how you can become a part of it. Whether you’re looking to develop new skills, meet like-minded people, or support a cause close to your heart, the Northampton Volunteer Fair offers the perfect opportunity to get started.

The event is being held in partnership with Voluntary Impact Northamptonshire, their Chief Executive Officer Russell Rolph, said; “Volunteering remains vital to individuals and communities. While there are many different reasons why people volunteer, the result is that local organisations benefit from that knowledge and passion, and in many cases, could not deliver the raft of services without that volunteering input.

“Volunteering Fairs are a great way of bringing potential volunteers in contact with organisations that need it, and because of that this event has my full support. Volunteering Fairs are a great way of bringing potential volunteers in contact with organisations that need it, and because of that this event has my full support.”

The station will also be broadcasting live from the volunteer fair with its Undiscovered Northampton Show 10am to 1pm, the regular show which normally provides coverage of local community groups and charities, faiths, arts and culture will be focusing on some of the local groups, the power of volunteering, and the opportunities that are out there.
For more information or if you’re a charity or community group that wants to book please head to https://nliveradio.com/volunteerfair

MHNC Inclusive Volunteering Training

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MHNC have launched their Inclusive Volunteering Training, as part of the Volunteers for Health Northants project.
This training has been co-designed to:
  • Improve the practices of involving and supporting volunteers with mental ill-health, learning disabilities, and/or neurodivergence
  • Challenge unconscious biases about who can and can’t volunteer (spoiler alert: everyone can!)
  • Raise awareness of hidden barriers
  • Provide ideas, tools and resources that can be implemented to ensure volunteering opportunities are more accessible
Through this training, we hope to increase the diversity of people volunteering across Northamptonshire.
If you think this sounds great, book yourself on a session here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/mental-health-northants-collaboration-70371253553

Neighbourhood Health Development

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At the recent VCFSE engagement Group of West Northamptonshire, Anne Rackham of NHFT gave an update on the framework for Neighbourhood Health across Northamptonshire.

The slides for this session can be viewed here

In essence, Neighbourhood health is about bringing health approaches to local people, in local communities or Neighbourhoods. The framework is complex and complicated and is full of many moving parts.

How health will be delivered within this context is a matter for the Health and Wellbeing Boards of both West and North Northamptonshire, but in many cases, the VCFSE could provide valuable and cost-effective solutions at a local level.

Attendees noted a few key and salient points for further consultation and discussion:

  • How will the wider VCFSE be able to contribute to discussions?
  • How will organisations bid for funding at a Neighbourhood level?
  • How can VCFSE organisations be kept informed of decisions and updated on further relevant trends?

While the Health and Wellbeing Boards will set the general direction of travel, the Executive Place Boards and what sits below (Local Area Partnerships or Neighbourhood Forums) will convert that general approach into service delivery workplans.

Neighbourhood health is a moving feast, with more discussions to come.

What is clear, though is that one singular VCFSE organisation may not be enough to bid for commissioned work around health.

Russell Rolph, the CEO of VIN, states:

I think the VCFSE will need to come together to form collaborations at the neighbourhood level to best take advantage of any health funding that’s on offer. Commissioners work to assurance, and one singular VCFSE organisation might not be able to provide that. The strength is in the collective, and that’s something that VIN is looking towards, but first we must understand the priorities within each Neighbourhood and how they might be funded. Stay abreast of these updates by joining our next VCFSE Engagement Group. The date has yet to be decided, so come back to the website regularly for further guidance and possible dates.