Connecting Voluntary, Community, Faith, and Social Enterprise Leaders Across North East London
The North East London (NEL) VCFSE Collaborative brings together leaders from seven boroughs—including Newham—to work with the NHS North East London Integrated Care System (ICS). It ensures the VCFSE sector has a meaningful voice in city-wide health and social care planning.
🤝 Who’s Involved
- Leadership group with representatives from City & Hackney, Barking & Dagenham, Havering, Redbridge, Newham, Tower Hamlets, and Waltham Forest (thcvs.org.uk)
- Meets monthly to shape borough strategies and raise the sector’s profile
- A paid Chair and specialist representatives support sustainable, strategic leadership
🎯 Mission & Core Principles
The Collaborative operates with five shared values:
- Equity & Inclusivity: Centre diverse voices
- Collaboration: Ensure VCFSE is meaningfully involved in ICS
- Innovation: Contribute sector expertise to service design
- Transparency: Build cross-sector trust
- Person/Community-focused: Champion lived experience and community strengths
📈 Strategic Goals
- Joint Strategy Development: Shape VCFSE participation in health planning
- Elevating Sector Representation: Ensure visibility across committees and decision-making forums
- Influencing Health Outcomes: Embed VCSE expertise to tackle health inequalities
⭐️ Why It Matters for Newham
Being part of the NEL Collaborative benefits Newham’s VCFSE sector by:
- Strategic Influence: Direct role in ICS decision-making
- Amplified Voice: Represent Newham in governance forums
- Stronger Partnerships: Collaborate with NHS, local government, and other boroughs
- Sector-led Health Equity: Embed community expertise to improve outcomes
💡 How It Works in Practice
| Activity | Description |
|---|
| Monthly Leadership Meetings | Set priorities, coordinate strategies, plan ICS engagement |
| Role of Chair & Representatives | Paid Chair leads, thematic reps provide expertise (e.g., inclusion, long-term conditions) |
| Strategic Partnerships | Active engagement across ICS boards, including health inequalities and commissioning groups |
📢 Get Involved
Join the NEL VCFSE Collaborative to connect with the NHS and ICS, represent Newham’s voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise sector, and help co-create services focused on equity and collaboration. Opportunities are available for leadership roles, including Chair and thematic representatives, with remuneration available for select positions.