The VCSE: Strengthening Local Health Care Delivery
Quality 4 Health + Wellbeing
The Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) Sector is such a massive contributor to people’s health and wellbeing. From mental health support to reducing social isolation, not for profit organisations work passionately to deliver high quality services to everyone who comes through their doors. The VCSE sector strengthens local health care delivery in a way that only the VCSE sector can and is an integral part in prevention of the need for primary care services.
Co-produced in 2015 by Voluntary & Community (VAC) and the Calderdale Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), Quality 4 Health + Wellbeing was developed to support the VCSE sector to demonstrate the quality of their services.
Quality 4 Health + Wellbeing Video case study – Overgate:
Engagement Champions & Community Voices
Community Voices (Kirklees) and Engagement Champions (Calderdale) are individuals working in the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise sector who are trained to engage with the local population in their borough on the West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board’s behalf, talking to them about changes and developments in health services. Run by Voluntary & Community (VAC), both Community Voices and Engagement Champions give communities a louder voice and help to make sure that health services are developed in response to the needs of local people.
VAC, in partnership with West Yorkshire ICB, offers free training for local people to become Community Voices and Engagement Champions, helping local communities to have a say when changes to health services are proposed.
VAC also supported the Harnessing the Power of Communities "Past Skills, Future Careers" campaign, which you can find here.
Bringing Compassionate Care to Communities
Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Charity
Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Charity is the official charity of Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust (CHFT). Their mission is to make a lasting and meaningful difference to Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust by funding projects that enhance patient care and experience and support staff wellbeing, by raising awareness, proactively generating funds, and engaging our communities in achieving their mission.
Tree of Memory
You can find out more information and how to donate here: In memory - CHFT Charity
Rainbow Child Development Hub
The Rainbow Child Development Service supports children and young people aged 0-18 years who have complex needs, development delay and disabilities. Thanks to kind donations, CHFT Charity were able to contribute £80k to the new Rainbow Child Development Hub which has been relocated to the Clock House in Elland. The building has enough space that can accommodate other support services required by families, such as specialst nursing teams and community therapy services, reducing the need for multiple appointments in different locations, reducing travel, time, stress, and cost for families. Please see a video of the new hub below!
See what CHFT Charity are doing to celebrate the NHS turning 75 and how you can get involved here: NHS 75 - CHFT Charity
St Augustine's Centre - 'Compassion goes LARGE'
Image by Sand In Your Eye
“Myself and my husband Monir were referred to the Befriending Programme run by St Augustine’s Centre, because when we arrived here we were struggling and isolated. We were introduced to Lucy who has helped us through difficult times and reduced our sadness. This is what compassion means to us,” Sobeda said.
St Augustine's Centre are a specialist charity working with people seeking asylum, and new refugees, who are rebuilding their lives in Calderdale. The above image, depicts Sobeda who fled Bangladesh, and Lucy, whom she met through a local befriending programme. Read more here: Refugee Week 2023: Compassion Goes LARGE (staugustinescentrehalifax.org.uk)
Halifax Opportunities Trust - Working to make vibrant multi-cultural and self-sustaining communities across Calderdale...for 21 years!
Halifax Opportunities Trust are a registered charity and their work with communities takes many different forms across a wide variety of projects but it’s all driven by the same core values: "we care, we are enterprising, we collaborate and we are committed". You can find out more about the Trust here.
The work of Halifax Opportunities Trust is structured into six key areas that are important to making thriving communities: Employment, Learning, Wellbeing, Enterprise, Inclusive Integration and Children & Families.
Halifax Opportunities Trust celebrated their 21 year milestone in June this year, read more about how they celebrated here: Celebrating Creating Opportunities for 21 Years – CVAC
Happy Days Cycles
Happy Days Cycles is a social enterprise business, their main outlet is a shop in Sowerby Bridge. All profits go towards funding their work amongst the homeless in West Yorkshire. Happy Days Cycles are committed to journey with people to develop a love for cycling and enable them as individuals to reach independence and value partnerships with churches, individuals, volunteers, local government and other organisations to promote integration into the wider community.
Read more about the benefits of social prescribing pathways and personalised care, including more case studies and stories on our past VCSE Power Showcase page.
"Voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations play such an important role in Calderdale. The Kindness and commitment of the many volunteers and passionate staff is invaluable, and we've seen how their efforts continue to make such a difference, as we work in partnership to deliver key services through the borough" - Councillor Scott Patient
Hebden Bridge Rotary Club is to host a fundraising exhibition showcasing the beautiful scenery of the Calder Valley
The Rotary Club of Hebden Bridge is part of Rotary International, a global network of 1.4 million neighbours, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change, across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves. Since 2007, The Rotary Club of Hebden Bridge has been awarding grants to charities, community projects and good causes from the funds raised each year.
Art lovers visiting the Hope Gallery at this year’s Hebden Bridge Open Studio weekend in July (7th-9th) will have the unique opportunity to view and buy paintings and prints of the Calder Valley painted by local artist, Brian Boocock. Brian is a lifelong honorary member of Hebden Bridge Rotary, and designer of the Hebden Bridge Millenium Clock on St George’s Bridge will be donating all proceeds from the sale of his Mills and Hills collection to the Rotary Trust. Read more here: Events — Rotary Club Hebden Bridge (hebdenbridgerotary.org.uk)