The role of the voluntary and community sector in

improving health and well-being and reducing health inequalities in the capital

Lin GilliansInterim Chief Executive

London Voluntary Service Councilling@lvsc.org.uk

The wider context• New commissioning arrangements (GPs, LAs)• A new health premium incentive to reduce

health inequalities• A new duty for commissioners to regard Joint

Strategic Needs Assessments• Existing and new involvement duties• Outcome-based payments• Targets around % of small and medium-sized

independent providers

Why VCS providers?• Local services with local knowledge• Look at people as a whole and are flexible• Greater trust• Specialism• User involvement• Innovation• Additional social and environmental

outcomes

But currently little evidence

When it works well...

• GP practice in a charity• Tackles wider social determinants e.g advice,

employment, horticultural services• Set up 27 social enterprises• Monitoring SROI, difference made,

benchmarking

How it could work well...

Basing new public sector mutuals in existing VCS organisations

Addresses medical / health needs but also- provides social interaction- advice- income maximisation- physical activity

What the government wants..

“ The Department [of Health] will work to ensure that voluntary, community and social enterprise sector organisations are supported to play a full part in providing health and well-being services. …..As part of building capable and confident communities, areas may wish to consider using grant funding in local communities to support community-focussed activities such as volunteering peer support, befriending and social networks”

So what’s the problem?• <2% of public spending goes to third sector

organisations

Barriers• Short-term contracts• Disproportionate monitoring• Lack of evidence of impact• Lack of capacity

Recommend “intelligent commissioning”

Developing providers

Market intelligence

Market structuring

Market intervention

LVSC public health databaseVCS providers

• Based on model developed by GMCVO in Manchester

• Commissioned by NHS London and Regional Public Health Group

• Web-based database of VCS public health providers in London

• An opportunity to engage with commissioners in the new structures

• An opportunity to develop evidence of impact

Why not get involved?

• How can the sectors work together to improve health and well-being in London?

• How can we make sure health and care services are accessible to the most disadvantaged?

• How can we raise awareness of VCS services?