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York VCSE Assembly 

The York VCSE Assembly – Health and Care is open to all Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations in York. We meet on a bi-monthly basis to focus on health and care related topics. 

The Assembly acts as a mechanism to connect York’s VCSE sector with Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership, our area’s Integrated Care System, the Humber and North Yorkshire VCSE Collaborative and the York Health and Care Partnership.  

By joining the York VCSE Assembly – Health and Care, and sharing your knowledge and areas of expertise, you’re supporting us in positioning the VCSE sector as a key partner in the planning and delivery of health and care across our city.

Become a member of the York VCSE Assembly

Membership is open to ALL York VCSE sector groups and organisations. Please complete the form linked below to be added to our membership and mailing list. If you have any questions, please email comms@yorkcvs.org.uk.

Find out more
Read the Terms of Reference

Meeting Dates: 

  • 2 July 2025, 9:30am – 11:30am, Main Hall, Priory Street Centre – Book online
  • 10 September, 1pm – 2.30pm, online
  • 12 November, 10am – 12pm, Main Hall, Priory Street Centre
  • 28 January, 10am – 12pm, Main Hall, Priory Street Centre
  • 25 March, 10am – 12pm, Main Hall, Priory Street Centre

*Please note these dates might be subject to change. The Agenda and booking information for each meeting will be shared closer to the date of each event.

York VCSE Assembly Steering Group 

To support the direction and focus of our York VCSE Assembly meetings, we have a steering group of representatives from VCSE organisations across York. The Steering Group represents different areas of focus and attends the monthly York Health and Care Collaborartive meetings. An update from these meetings is provided during every York VCSE Assembly meeting. 

If you have any questions or comments you would like to ask the Steering Group representatives, please email comms@yorkcvs.org.uk. 

View the VCSE Representation Principles of Working here. 

Meet the York VCSE Assembly Steering Group: 

Amanda Stevens

Head of Services, Dementia Forward

Area of representation – Older people

Peter Otter

Deputy Chief Executive, York CVS

Area of representation – VCSE sector representation

Chris Klays

Systems Change Lead (Young People), York Mind

Area of representation – Children and Young People

Rachel Parker

System Change Lead (Adult Mental Health)

Area of representation – Mental health

Mags Godderidge

Chief Executive Officer, Survive

Area of representation – Mental health

Shamim Eimaan

Director, Eimaan Culture and Community Services CIC

Area of representation – Diverse communities

Nikki Anderson

Local Services Manager, Alzheimer’s Society

Area of representation – Older people 

Sian Balsom

Manager, Healthwatch York

Area of representation – Health and Care

Meeting notes 

York VCSE Assembly meeting - 7 May 2025

During the York VCSE Assembly meeting on 7 May we welcomed Sian Balsom, Manager at Healthwatch York, who provided an introduction to the Integrated Neighbourhood Teams (INT) model of working. 
Get involved in York 50+ Festival 
Dianne Willcocks, Vice Chair, York Older People’s Assembly (YOPA) provided an update regarding the York 50+ Festival which will take place during 20 September – 1 October. There will be a Day of Celebration and a central parade in York on Saturday 27 September from 1pm. Dianne is keen to include as many VCSE organisations as possible, so please contact her directly via the details below.
  • Get involved either as a volunteer, sponsor or putting on activities
  • Be part of parade, prepare materials for shop windows to show off what older people contribute, displays, posters, installations, storyboards
  • Find out more www.yorkassembly.org.uk/50-festival-2025/
  • Email:  d.willcocks@outlook.com  |   Call: 07850 111299

If you require this information in an alternative format, please contact us via comms@yorkcvs.org.uk

York VCSE Assembly meeting - 12 March 2025

During the York VCSE Assembly meeting on 12 March we welcomed the team from the York Mental Health Hubs, who provided an update on the project progress to date, and what’s planned for the future.
Dragon’s Den Pitch – York Bereavement Alliance
A huge thank you to Chris at York Bereavement Alliance for presenting their pitch’s during the meeting. View the presentation slides here.

If you require this information in an alternative format, please contact us via comms@yorkcvs.org.uk

York VCSE Assembly meeting - 29 January 2025

The meeting overview and information below provides more detail about what was discussed and covered during the meeting.

VCSE Workforce Mapping Survey 
During the meeting we presented a piece of essential research which is currently running until the 28 February. We’re asking all York VCSE organisations to complete this survey to map our sector’s workforce. The data provided will support future investement into the sector.
 
Representation
During the meeting the York CVSE Representation – Principles of Working were discussed, agreed and signed off.
 
Sharron Smith, Chief Executive, York Carers Centre and VCSE representative on the York Health and Care Collaborative provided an update from the York Health and Care Collaborative meeting. The update can be found in the meeting overview.
 
Dragon’s Den Pitch – Supporting Children and Young People’s Mental Health
A huge thank you to York Carers Centre and York Mind for presenting their pitch’s during the meeting. View the presentation slides here.

If you require this information in an alternative format, please contact us via comms@yorkcvs.org.uk

2024 Meeting notes 

York VCSE Assembly meeting - 13 November 2024

During the meeting we trialled a new feature which saw members coming together to pitch ideas around their specialist areas of work connected to health and social care. It was a great addition to the meetings and we are able to share the presentations with you alongside other updates from the meeting. 

 
Representation
During the meeting Rachel Parker, System Change Lead, Community Mental Health Transformation Fund, and Mags Godderidge, CEO, Survive, who are two of our VCSE representatives, provided an overview of the York Health and Care Collaborative meeting which took place in October. Read the full representation update here. 
 
Commissioning Process – Set of Principles 
During the meeting we asked members to review the Commissioning Set of Principles. If your feedback isn’t captured in this document, please send your comments and suggestions to Anna (anna.boad@yorkcvs.org.uk) 
 
Dragons Den Pitches
A huge thank you to Mags, Mark, Ian and Rachel for presenting their pitch’s during the meeting. Please find their presentations below: 

If you require this information in an alternative format, please contact us via comms@yorkcvs.org.uk

Climate Change, Health and the Role of the VCSE Sector - 10 October 2024

This event was held as part of York Climate Weeks and focused on the impacts of climate change on health and health inequalities, and the role of the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector. We welcomed Peter Rodderick, Director of Public Health, City of York Council, who introduced the session and the York Climate Commission, and Jess Marshall, Public Health Manager – Health Protection who spoke about the connection between climate change and health. 
 
Please find the slides, slide notes and feedback linked below:

York VCSE Assembly meeting - 24 September 2024

During the York VCSE Assembly meeting on 24 September, we welcomed Rachel Parker, System Change Lead, to discuss a series of new working groups and what they will involve, how as a sector we would like to be represented on them and consider how participation can help inform funding proposals as part of a new assembly feature moving forward. 

If you require this information in an alternative format, please contact us via comms@yorkcvs.org.uk

York VCSE Assembly meeting - 17 July 2024

During the York VCSE Assembly meeting on 17 July, we welcomed Sarah Coltman-Lovell, York NHS Place Director to speak about York’s priorities and how we can work together moving forward. These priorities are highlighted in the slides linked below. 

If you require this information in an alternative format, please contact us via comms@yorkcvs.org.uk

Tell us what you think about the York VCSE Assembly 
During the meeting we provided an overview of the feedback we have received so far. This information can be found in the slides. We’ve had a limited response to the survey so far, so please could we ask you to take a few minutes to share your thoughts here. 
 
Join the York VCSE Steering Group 
During the meeting we spoke about representation from the sector on relevant boards and working groups. Representation will be drawn from the York VCSE Steering Group. If you are interested in joining the York VCSE Assembly Steering Group, please complete this Expression of Interest Form and return it to anna.boad@yorkcvs.org.uk. If you would like to discuss joining the steering group, please contact Alison Semmence via alison.semmence@yorkcvs.org.uk. 
 
Please note, that to join the steering group, you must be registered as a member of the York VCSE Assembly. You can join as a member here. 

Useful links: 

York VCSE Assembly meeting - 9 May 2024

During the meeting, Alison Semmence, Chief Executive, York CVS provided an update on health and care representation since the previous meeting, and Scott Jobson, Chief Executive at MySight York, provided an overview of the Humber and North Yorkshire VCSE Expo event. We also welcome Steve Wright, Co-Chair of the Mental Health Partnership to speak about the York Mental Health Hub, and how York’s VCSE can get involved with the Hub.   

If you require this information in an alternative format, please contact us via comms@yorkcvs.org.uk

Useful links: 

York VCSE Assembly meeting - 24 January 2024

During the meeting we welcomed Lucy Fieldhouse, Project Lead – Primary Care Link Workers to share an update on the Frailty Crisis and Advice Guidance Hub, and Anna Boad, VCSE Collaborative Comms Leads who provided an update on the training and wellbeing opportunities available to the sector. We also introduced the York VCSE Assembly Steering Group and discussed the next steps for the Assembly. 

If you require this information in an alternative format, please contact us via comms@yorkcvs.org.uk

Useful links: 

2023 Meeting notes 

York VCSE Assembly meeting - 10 October 2023

During the meeting we welcomed Penny Butcher, the new VCSE Collaborative VCSE Programme Manager. We also received a communications update from the VCSE Collaborative and discussed the representation from the sector and the creation of a steering group for the Assembly.

If you require this information in an alternative format, please contact us via comms@yorkcvs.org.uk

Useful links: 

York VCSE Assembly meeting - 12 July 2023

This meeting focused on Health and Care Funding. We learnt more about the Ways to Wellbeing Small Grant Fund, VCSE Collaborative communications and received an update from the York Health and Care Partnership.

If you require this information in an alternative format, please contact us via comms@yorkcvs.org.uk

York VCSE Assembly meeting - 16 May 2023

This Assembly meeting focused on Children and Young People’s Mental Health. We welcomed Gail Teasdale, Children and Young People’s Mental Health Programme Lead to share Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership’s strategy. 

York VCSE Assembly meeting - 8 March 2023

This Assembly meeting focused on ‘Health and Care at Place (York)’. We welcomed Sarah Coltman-Lovell, the new Place Director for York and we explored how the Health and Care Partnership in York works, and how as a Sector we can connect with the Partnership.

National Lottery:
We also welcomed Beth Maguire, the new Funding Officer for York. Beth explained that a strategic review of lottery funding is currently taking place but once this has been finalised, we’ll be organising an event and Beth will attend another Assembly meeting to share the funding priorities and updates with the Sector.  Beth is happy for you to contact her directly should you have any questions. Her details are:
Email: Beth.Maguire@tnlcommunityfund.org.uk | Phone: 07824 605861
 
York VCSE Assembly meetings going forward 
At the end of the meeting, we touched upon how we propose to take the York VCSE Assembly meetings forward. We proposed holding one larger central meeting per quarter with one more focused and topic specific meeting in between. We also proposed reviewing our Terms of Reference at the next meeting to make sure it is still relevant. 

York VCSE Assembly meeting - 25 January 2023

This Assembly meeting focused on ‘Volunteering at the heart of the health and care system’, which is a workstream within the ‘180 days of workforce plan’ (Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership). We explored and discussed what we thought were appropriate roles and what were not. 

During the meeting we asked atendees to review the workstream’s Volunteering Principles and Charter document – we will share this information as soon as the document has been finalised and the feedback points have been captured. 

2022 Meeting notes 

York VCSE Assembly meeting - 26 October 2022

This Assembly meeting continued discussions on the Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership’s ‘One Workforce’ strategic priority. The meeting included:

York VCSE Assembly meeting - 28 September 2022

This Assembly meeting focused on the Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership’s ‘One Workforce’ strategic priority. The meeting included:

York VCSE Assembly meeting - 11 August 2022

During this more informal ‘breakfast’ York VCSE Assembly meeting we looked at the Shared Prosperity Fund, future Winter Pressures and held discussions around potential projects as well as providing a networking. 

York VCSE Assembly meeting - 6 July 2022

This Assembly meeting focused on Social Prescribing in York and provided an opportunity to learn more about how social prescribing works in York, the role social prescribing can have in tackling social and health inequalities and how we can use our collective expertise to address social determinants of health. The meeting included:

  • A presentation from Christine Marmion-Lennon, Deputy Chief Executive, York CVS – The York Social Prescribing Model
  • A presentation from Anthony Hurd, Programme Manager, Green Social Prescribing – Green Social Prescribing
  • A presentation from Lucy Kitson, Team Leader, Primary Care Link Workers – Proactive Social Prescribing 
  • A presentation from Emily Abbott, Team Leader, Ways to Wellbeing – Meeting Unmet Need
  • Download the slide deck here
  • Read the discussion overview here

York VCSE Assembly meeting - 21 June 2022

The meeting included:

The Assembly are keen to start getting some project/work ideas together so we’re ready for potential investment opportunities coming from the ICS/York Alliance/other sources – with a specific focus on health inequalities and workforce. Ideally, these will be drawn up collaboratively between members of the Assembly. We’ll (York CVS) be developing a template for ideas and pulling together the key challenges we have in York to give some food for thought. This template will be shared with attendees.

York VCSE Assembly Meeting - 18 May 2022

The meeting included:

  • An introduction to Integrated Care Systems
  • A presentation from Myron Rogers and Adam Smith, NHS North of England Commissioning Support Unit who coordinated the round table discussions on the Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership Strategy Design. You can read the feedback from attendees here
  • A presentation from the Wilberforce Trust on their Community Eyedrop Service – you can read the impact report here
  • An update from the other networks in the city, including the VOICE network, led by Healthwatch and the Counselling Services network
  • Download the meeting slide deck here.

York VCSE Assembly meeting - 23 March 2022

Representative from York’s voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector came together to discuss the creation of a VCSE Assembly for York. The meeting included:

  • A presentation from Gary Sainty, Programme Director – VCSE Humber and North Yorkshire (HNY) Health Care Partnership on the introduction to Integrated Care Systems
  • A presentation from Jason Stamp, Chief Officer – North Bank Forum, Chair and Senior Responsible Officer – HNY VCSE Leadership Programme, on creating a VCSE Assembly ‘at place’ (in York) 
  • Q&A and discussions about what membership should look like and ensuring we engage with the whole sector
  • Download the meeting slide deck here.