Why does this new collaborative matter?

Demand for health and wellbeing services is increasing, while inequalities continue to grow. VCSE organisations play a vital role in improving health outcomes and reducing health inequalities – not only by delivering services but also by shaping their design and advocating for, representing and amplifying the voices of people with lived experience.

VCSE organisations are essential to a vibrant local health economy because they:

 

  • Build trusted relationships with their communities

  • Reach people who may not engage with other services

  • Help people feel connected, confident and supported

  • Provide early to prevent issues from escalating

This partnership aims to build the valuable role of VCSE organisations by strengthening and connecting services. enabling more joined-up working across Gloucestershire.

Members of the collaborative said: “This is an important opportunity to build a stronger and more connected VCSE infrastructure across Gloucestershire. The VCSE sector has a vital role to play in improving health and wellbeing and tackling inequalities. Through the partnership, we want to build shared leadership, develop practical solutions together and create stronger collaboration across Gloucestershire for the benefit of our communities.”

Will Chapman, Associate Director (Prevention & VCSE Partnerships), NHS Gloucestershire said: “This is an exciting and important moment for Gloucestershire. The formation of this partnership reflects our shared ambition to work differently, bringing together the knowledge, insight and reach of the VCSE sector with our system partners to better support our communities.

“I’m really looking forward to working alongside colleagues across the partnership as we begin to shape our collective priorities and build a strong, collaborative approach that puts communities at the heart of everything we do.”

 

Looking ahead

The long-term vision for the collaborative is to:

  • Support people to live healthier, more connected lives

  • Enable communities to shape local priorities and services

  • Strengthen VCSE organisations as equal partners in the wider health system

  • Earlier support through trust, relationships and local knowledge

  • Support a reduction in inequalities across the county

The group held its first meeting in March 2026 and has continued to meet monthly since. Over the coming months members they will agree shared priorities and actions laying the foundation for a stronger, more connected VCSE sector across Gloucestershire.

For more information about the collaborative, contact us via the get in touch button or the webform.