The Jigsaw Puzzle of Infrastructure Funding

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The National Association of Voluntary and Community Associations (NAVCA) has just produced its latest report on the state of Infrastructure Funding throughout the UK.

The Report can be seen here: https://www.navca.org.uk/news/a-jigsaw-puzzle-why-local-infrastructure-needs-sustainable-funding

In summary, NAVCA state:

The answer is not simply more funding from a particular source. It is about recognising local infrastructure as an essential part of the system and funding it accordingly. That means moving away from a model based primarily on small, short-term, and fragmented funding towards sustainable investment that reflects the long-term nature and commitment of infrastructure to place. It means recognising the role LIOs play in strengthening the VCSE sector, connecting communities with decisionmakers, building partnerships, and providing the local knowledge and relationships that public services increasingly need. At a time of significant change – from devolution and local government reorganisation to neighbourhood health and growing pressure on public services – strong, trusted local relationships and a strong VCSE sector matter more, not less. ‍The evidence is clear: LIOs are continuing to deliver despite significant financial pressures. But resilience should not be mistaken for sustainability. If we want strong VCSE organisations, connected communities and effective partnerships with public services, we need to invest in the infrastructure that makes those things possible.

Making Every Contact Count – Train the Trainer ProgrammeWest Northamptonshire Council have just announced their second Making Every Contact Count (MECC) Train the Trainer Programme for partner organisations. This programme is ideal for anyone who would like to promote and deliver MECC training within their organisation, helping colleagues and volunteers use everyday conversations to support positive health and wellbeing outcomes. This FREE training will be delivered online via Microsoft Teams over four sessions: Thursday 05 November 2026. Thursday 12 November 2026. Thursday 19 November 2026. Thursday 26 November 2026. Time: 12:00pm to 2:00pm for each session. Local MECC resource packs will be provided during the training, and participants will receive Teams links once their place is confirmed. Places are limited, so they encourage anyone interested to register as soon as possible. To register, please email mecc@westnorthants.gov.uk. Interested participants will be asked to complete a learner agreement before their place is confirmed.

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West Northamptonshire Council have just announced their second Making Every Contact Count (MECC) Train the Trainer Programme for partner organisations.

This programme is ideal for anyone who would like to promote and deliver MECC training within their organisation, helping colleagues and volunteers use everyday conversations to support positive health and wellbeing outcomes. 

This FREE training will be delivered online via Microsoft Teams over four sessions:

  • Thursday 05 November 2026.
  • Thursday 12 November 2026.
  • Thursday 19 November 2026.
  • Thursday 26 November 2026.

Time: 12:00pm to 2:00pm for each session.

Local MECC resource packs will be provided during the training, and participants will receive Teams links once their place is confirmed. Places are limited, so they encourage anyone interested to register as soon as possible.

To register, please email mecc@westnorthants.gov.uk. Interested participants will be asked to complete a learner agreement before their place is confirmed.

VCFSE Engagement Group West Northamptonshire

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VIN (under the umbrella of SAWN) held its VCFSE Engagement Group on the 1st of October 2026.

Over 30 delegates attended to hear updates on the Crisis Resilience Fund (the CRF)  and the Local Area Partnerships (LAPS).

The CRF Presentation can be found here

The LAPS update can be found here

VIN extends its thanks to the key speakers Keri Watson and Carolyn Howe of West Northamptonshire Council.

If organisations still require support and advice under the CRF, VIN has a designated E-Mail address for contact: crf@voluntaryimpact.org.uk

VIN will be appointing a Project Manager for the scheme and once inducted this officer will offer Network Sessions or Surgeries to help support the VCFSE in potential applications and potential partnerships.

For information, the Senior Responsible Officer or SRO for the CRF at West Northamptonshire is Victoria Rockhall.

If any delegates would like to join VIN at the next CEO Networking event its scheduled for the 28th of October 2026 between 10 and 12 at the VIN Training Froom, 15 St Giles Street, NN1 1JA.

You can book a space here: CEO Network | Voluntary Impact Northampton

Asset Based Community Development

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Voluntary Impact Northamptonshire received funding from West Northamptonshire Council to take 20 VCFSE organisations through the process of Asset-Based Community Development or ABCD.

Organisations were selected through an Expression of Interest and a Panel decision involving VIN and Local Authority representatives.

The process began in January of 2026 and concluded in July of this year.

The Cohort 1 Report can be found here

Russell Rolph, the CEO of VIN, states:

I think the process was useful for organisations taking part, and if anything, our whole system needs to move towards an ABCD approach – not just the VCFSE. If we accept that ABCD is a strengths-based model, then it’s the right model for everybody across all sectors. I hope readers find the report insightful.

 

Volunteering for Health (Vfh)

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Volunteering for Health (VfH) is a £10 million national programme funded by NHS England, NHS Charities Together and CW+, designed to harness the contribution of volunteering to health and social care at both national and local levels. In Northamptonshire, the programme is delivered by Voluntary Impact Northamptonshire (VIN), on behalf of Northamptonshire Health and Care Volunteering (NHCV), through a partnership involving health, voluntary and community sector organisations.

 

Delivery commenced in April 2025 and is scheduled to continue until June 2027. The Northamptonshire evaluation is delivered by the Institute for Social Innovation and Impact (ISII) at the University of Northampton (UON), and provides a locally focused assessment of the programme, recognising the importance of understanding local context, alongside the national evaluation. The Report evaluation below examines progress against three core programme aims:

 

•                 Embedding volunteering strategically within the health and care system

•                 Developing and improving volunteer infrastructure

•                 Improving the diversity of the volunteer workforce.

 

The Interim findings can be found here.

  • 2,653 volunteers engaged and almost 50,000 volunteering hours delivered across participating organisations.
  • Strong evidence that volunteering is contributing to prevention, wellbeing, reducing isolation and strengthening community connections.
  • Positive engagement with people who can experience barriers to volunteering and healthcare, including people with lived experience, minority ethnic communities, neurodiverse individuals, and people facing multiple disadvantage.
  • Significant organisational benefits through improved volunteer infrastructure, training, partnership working, and organisational capability.
  • An indicative social value of £3.39 million generated through volunteering, training, wellbeing, and self-efficacy improvements.

Russell Rolph, the CEO of VIN states:

VfH is one of several large-scale projects that VIN has been involved in over recent years and followed on the back of Connect Northamptonshire. Infrastructure continues to bring funding into the sector and connect people and sectors together. If you work in the community sector, you will already be aware of how vital volunteering is, but the truth is that not every sector appreciates or understands its worth – and the figure of 3.39M in Social Value is hard to ignore. I do not believe that we are going to achieve the Left Shift to prevention without voluntary organisations and an army of volunteers. Systems must recognise and move on this.

CEO Network

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Join VIN at the next CEO Network Gathering on the 28th of October 2026 between 10am and 12 Noon at the offices of VIN.

Refreshments and biscuits will be provided.

This is an opportunity for CEOs to come together, decompress, examine the landscape, share best practice and receive updates.

You can book a space by joining here

Please note: In order to make this a meaningful session we will need a minimum of 8 attendees.

Invitation to HAF Programme 2027 Market Engagement Information Session

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Date: Tuesday 15 September 2026

Time: 12:30pm to 2:00pm

Location: Microsoft Teams

To register your interest and receive the Microsoft Teams joining link: please email: educationcommissioning@westnorthants.gov.uk

Registration deadline: 14 September 2026

The Pre Market Engagement details can be found here: www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/080565-2026 which is open to:

  1. small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
  2. voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)

Please find more information here

VINs Annual General Meeting 2026

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VINs AGM will take place on the 19th of November 2026.

This meeting will be virtual and take place between 6PM and 7PM.

To book a space click here

Notes:

Due to the difficult operating climate within West Northampton shire VIN has decided upon a virtual AGM for 2026.

The agenda is:

Welcome and Introductions.

Minutes of the last AGM and any matters arising,

Chairs reflection.

CEO Viewpoint.

Treasurers Report.

Appointment of new Trustees.

Appointment of Auditors (as required).

Sam and Cheryl celebrate 10 years

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Our two NDDS schedulers Sam and Cheryl celebrate 10 years in post.

Our Northampton Door to Door Service is vital in supporting our Northampton residents, providing cost effective Community Transport solutions.

Sam and Cheryl work tirelessly to provide customer support to those that use or need the service.

Russell Rolph, the CEO of VIN states:

It’s great to see Sam and Cheryl celebrating 10 years in post. Both work extremely hard in liaising with both our passengers and drivers and providing the best possible service. It can be a tough job, with lots of competing demands but they do it well. Congratulations to them for time well served.

 

Crisis Resilience Fund West Northamptonshire

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The Crisis Resilience Fund (CRF) has opened in West Northamptonshire and is available to all VCFSE organisations who might be interested.

This funding is available for 3 years.

VCFSE organisation should ensure they read all the following guidance before preparing a submission.

The original webinar slides can be viewed here

The original webinar Questions and Answers have been collated and can be seen here

The Expression of Interest Guidance Notes can be viewed here

The Expression of Interest Form itself can be seen here

Please note:

This is a complex programme and is not a straightforward replacement for the previous Household Support Fund.

VCFSE organisations should read and understand all the guidance and be clear about what they want to apply for and how they will demonstrate resilience.

This is a 3-year programme of funding. It’s a marathon and not a sprint.

VIN will be recruiting an officer to assist you with your Expression should you need it. The recruitment process will take approximately 12 weeks.

Queries should be directed into a designated E-Mail inbox: crf@voluntaryimpact.org.uk