Our Vision

Our Ambition for the VCSE sector in Greater Manchester is that:

Greater Manchester will have the best VCSE ecosystem in England, supported by shared values, sustainable infrastructure and strong leadership; reflecting the aspirations of the diversity of Greater Manchester people and communities.

VCSE organisations are playing a key role in realising the shared Vision for our people and our place (GM strategy). Everyone will respect the contribution of these organisations to the local economy, decision-making and the provision of services and support to the public. They will acknowledge their value to communities of place, identity and experience and understand the role of local people in leading, shaping and connecting the VCSE ecosystem.

Across the city region, partners from all sectors will come together to create an action plan based on this Ambition. The action plan will support and enhance place-based working, the reform of services for the public and inclusive economic growth, and will be central to sustaining and developing a productive inclusive economy.

Our Priorities

Implement MoU with GM H&SC Partnership

Drive forward sector role in Population Health

Influence Local Care Organisations

Race to the top in VCSE sector involvement in Localities

Exemplar model for sector involvement in work-streams developed (e.g. Mental Health, Cancer)

Effectively influence commissioning, procurement and VCSE investment across Greater Manchester

Enable the VCSE sector to influence commissioning across GM, with an emphasis on co-design & co-production

Enable the VCSE sector to influence procurement practice and VCSE organisations capacity to tender

Drive effective VCSE investment strategies for mobilising communities

Lead in catalysing action to address Greater Manchester inequalities

Ensure H&SC Equalities Board continues to operating well

Work with Metro Mayor to address inequality

Develop and promote a VCSE vision of community (place and identity) and person-led action

Continue to develop a clear VCSE role in an inclusive economic agenda

Promote ‘inclusive economy’ and what it means

Develop understanding and practice around sector’s role in an inclusive economy

Develop our own practical understanding of inclusive economy

Develop a VCSE sector role in employment

Embed VCSE role in an inclusive economy in all our communications

Effectively influence stakeholders & communicate core messages & opportunities to VCSE organisations

Continue to work coherently with GMCVO, VCSE Assembly, 10GM, Equalities Networks, Providers and VSNW

Ensure that VCSE organisations and leaders have a central role in shaping and being part of GM Leadership programme(s)

Who We Are

Alison Page
Alison PageSalford CVS, 10GM
Membership type: Localities
Working Groups: Population Health; Inclusive Economy; Commissioning; Real Living Wage; Alternative Provider Federation; ICS Transition, Locality Lead for Salford
Atiha Chaudry
Atiha ChaudryGM BAME Network, Equal Access Consultancy
Membership type: Equalities
Working Groups:Population Health, GM=EqAl
Aydin Djemal
Aydin DjemalBHA for Equality
Membership type: Providers
Working Groups: Population Health; Commissioning; Alternative Provider Federation; Localities; Mental Health; Real Living Wage

Charles Kwaku-Odoi
Charles Kwaku-OdoiCAHN, GM Faith Network
Membership type: Equalities
Working Groups: Population Health; Inclusive Economy; Commissioning; GM=EqAl; Workforce, Mental Health Leaders
Chris Dabbs
Chris DabbsUnlimited Potential
Membership type: Social Enterprise
Working Groups: Inclusive Economy
Chris Hart
Chris HartThrive Trafford
Membership type: Localities
Working Groups: Localities Lead for Trafford
Dawn Yates Obe
Dawn Yates ObeBolton CVS
Membership type: Localities
Working Groups: Inclusive Economy; Population Health; Locality Lead for Bolton
Edna Robinson
Edna RobinsonAlternative Provider Federation, The Big Life Group
Membership type: Providers
Working Groups: Alternative Provider Federation
Eve Holt
Eve HoltGreater Sport and GM Moving
Membership type: Sport
Working Groups: Population Health
Fay Selvan
Fay SelvanThe Big Life Group
Membership type: Providers

Gail Heath
Gail HeathThe Pankhurst Trust (Inc Manchester Women’s Aid)
Membership type: Providers
Working Groups: GM=EqAl
Graham Whitham
Graham WhithamGM Poverty Action
Membership Type: Equalities
Working Groups: Inclusive Economy
Hayley Lever
Hayley LeverGM Moving
Membership type: Sport
Helen Tomlinson
Helen TomlinsonBury VCFA
Membership type: Localities
Working Groups: Locality Lead for Bury

Jenny Higson
Jenny HigsonTameside, Oldham and Glossop Mind
Membership type: Providers
Working Groups: Alternative Provider Federation; Mental Health Leaders Group
Jo McGrath
Jo McGrathSector 3, Social Enterprise Action Group
Membership type: Localities
Working Groups: Locality Lead for Stockport

Joanne Walby
Joanne WalbyMustard Tree
Membership type: Providers
Working Groups: Commissioning
John Hannen
John HannenGMCVO
Membership type: Equalities
Working Groups: Inclusive Economy; Commissioning; GM=EqAl
Jules Palfreyman
Jules PalfreymanGM Equality Alliance (GM=EqAl)
Membership type: Equalities
Working Groups:GM=EqAl; Population Health
Leigh Vallance
Leigh VallanceBolton Hospice
Membership type: VCSE Representative on GM Integrated Care Board
Liz Windsor-Welsh
Liz Windsor-WelshAction Together - Oldham, Rochdale and Tameside
Membership type: Localities
Working Groups: Population Health; Inclusive Economy; Commissioning; Locality Lead for Oldham, Tameside and Rochdale
Mike Wild
Mike WildMACC, 10GM
Membership type: Localities
Working Groups: Inclusive Economy; Workforce, Alternative Provider Federation, Locality Lead for Manchester
Priti Butler
Priti ButlerThe Big Life Group
Membership type: Social Enterprise
Working Groups: Population Health
Rachel Bottomley
Rachel BottomleyLGBT Foundation
Membership type: Equalities

Simone Spray
Simone Spray42nd Street
Membership type: Providers
Working Groups: Mental Health Leaders Group
Warren Escadale
Warren EscadaleVSNW
Membership type: Chair

Governance

The GM VCSE Leadership Group is not a representative structure, but in most cases, individuals are nominated by their own networks and are held accountable to their network and/or the Leadership Group by a signed protocol agreement.

The Leadership Group meets monthly and meetings are often used to invite guest speakers on a range of topics relevant to the Sector and GM devolution.

The Leadership Group has formal sub groups dealing with the work that has been prioritised and the Co-Chairs from each Sub Group formally report back to the Leadership Group on a monthly basis.

The Thematic Work that has been commissioned by the Leadership Group has a nominated Lead who report back to the Leadership Group

The formal point of contact for the Leadership Group on the following themes/topics is:

  • Governance & Strategy– Warren Escadale
  • Commissioning – Alison Page & Paul Martin
  • Inclusive Economy – John Hannen & Helen Clayton
  • Population Health – Liz Windsor Welsh & Charles Kwaku-Odoi
  • Localities & Infrastructure –Susie Wright
  • Homelessness – Jo Walby
  • Mental Health – Simone Spray
  • GM=EqAl – Jules Palfreyman
  • Workforce – Mike Wild

Each nominated lead contact of the Leadership Group reports back on any issues to the Leadership Group on a monthly basis.

View Our Work for Contact Details