20th February 2015

Dear 

Welcome to The Voice - Have Your Say Today!

The Voice of the Sector allows the Voluntary & Community Sector of Cheshire East to have their say on important issues and to work together to influence service delivery - this is facilitated and supported by CVS Cheshire East.

This mailing contains information on topics which we would particularly like to hear your views on but please contact us with any issues you would like to raise. 

You can read our blogs by clicking here.  

If you want to post your views on our new look forum click here, email networkdevelopmentteam@cvsce.org.uk  or call 01270 763100.

How we have been making your voices heard where it matters

• Last week we attended a Sector event where we listened to issues that our VCFS organisations are facing, such as concerns regarding “references on tender applications from the organisation you are applying to” and “how do we know which Quality Standards are recognised by each Commissioning Office?”  
  
  We raised these, plus other ongoing issues at our latest Cross Sector Working Group. In response we have asked Commissioners to issue a statement regarding their position on references.  We will be asking you all which standards you currently have in place via an upcoming survey and will be working with Commissioners to determine which of these are recognised by them.
   
• We attended  the latest Mental Health Board and were able to highlight how Voluntary and Community organisations are currently providing vital support, particularly where individuals fall outside of statutory services criteria.
  
  CAMHS services reported that the VCFS mental health map would be a useful signposting tool. We were able to raise the issue of extra funding for VCFS organisations that are able to take pressure off statutory health services and we will be talking further to ECCCG staff. The Pilot Street Triage project reported more than 90% reduction of those who would previously be taken to A&E, again there is interest in the VCFS map as a signposting tool.

How you can have your say locally

Upcoming Voice Face to Face Forums - Giving you the chance to Have your Say about your important issues

Children & Families - 26th February – Congleton  

We still have spaces at next week’s Children & Families Voice Forum, where our Sector representative, Chris Whiley from Visyon, will be updating us on the latest news from the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board, Youth Management Board, and the Early Help Strategy Group.

Chris is keen to hear from those of you who are working with Children and Families so that she can fully represent the Sector at these opportunities.

Please click here to book online 
Full details can be found on the attached pdf document

Victim Services - 11th March – Macclesfield  

Are you interested in Victim Services and Restorative Justice ? Guest Speaker, Julie Blaylock  will be speaking about her role as Victim Services Specialist Services Manager and providing us with an overview of the Restorative Justice Hub & Mediation Service across Cheshire.  
 

Please click here to book online   
Full details can be found on the attached pdf document

National Consultations

The Department of Health, NHS England, Public Health England and the VCSE sector have launched a joint review of Health and Care Sector investment in Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise organisations.
For more information on the review, please see the attached documement and to 'have your say' click here.

Health Education North West is wishing to expand the opportunities for Third Sector organisations to participate in the range of workforce development programmes available through them. There is funding potentially available to organisations to support Apprenticeships as well as other development pathways such as Cadets, Assistant and Advanced Practitioners. Funding subsidies are available for all ages with additional incentives for 16 – 23 year olds.
Click here for more information and to access the survey.  

Other Dates for your Diary

CWP are holding a Substance Misuse Open Day on Tuesday 24th February, click here for more details.

NHS Eastern Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group would like to hear from people who have relatives or friends in care homes. They are holding a series of events in March to listen to your ideas on what good care does and should look like. Click here for more details.

Your experiences and ideas will inform a local guide to help people choose a care home in Eastern Cheshire. There will also be an opportunity to meet the new Care Home Quality team from Cheshire East Council and the CCG. 

Useful Reading

You can read the Commissioner's latest blog, which talks about how Cheshire Constabulary and partner agencies are working together to make Cheshire safer by clicking here. You can also read the PCC Budget Update by clicking here. 

Cheshire East Council’s Guide to the Care Act  is now on you tube  to view clicking here.

You can view the ‘Be a Lover not a Fighter’ Domestic Abuse campaign briefing by clicking here.  

Please contact us with any issues you would like to raise. You can post your views on our forum here at www.just-ask.org.uk.

Registration is quick and simple and you can start chatting online with the Sector straight away about the issues that are most important for you.  

Please email networkdevelopmentteam@cvsce.org.uk if you have any problems.

If you have any comments about this mailing or wish to speak to someone about any of the issues raised, then please email jayne.cunningham@cvsce.org.uk   or call 01270 763100