The value of people and organisations working together to pool resources, skills, insights and develop new ideas, maximises opportunities for people living in the City and makes the sector stronger.
This is a cornerstone of the way that we work in VAS, we believe that we can achieve more by connecting and supporting each other.
We facilitate a number of shared spaces and networks within the VCF-SE and the wider City. We do this to provide a space for people to connect with peers and create a space for partner organisations and City leaders to connect with our sector.
Governance
Our partnership role and priorities to support capacity and leadership in VCF-SE, is enabled by the work that we do in VAS to elevate voices into key decision making and planning spaces.
We do that in the City and wider South Yorkshire region.
We also work in conjunction with partners to advise and escalate community insights to national decision makers.
We currently have membership of many strategic boards and contribute to governance in a range of Sheffield and South Yorkshire decision making groups.
We welcome connections with people from the sector looking for ways to actively participate in governance activities, or who are interested in being updated about what is discussed and decided by City and Region governing bodies.
Some of the key Boards and Groups that VAS and the wider VCSE participate in are:
- Sheffield Health and Wellbeing Board
- South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board and Integrated Care Partnership
- Sheffield Stronger Together Network
- Sheffield Health and Care Partnership
- Mental Health, Learning Disabilities, Dementia and Autism Delivery Group
- SCC Scrutiny
There are many other groups and boards that have VCSE representation covering the youth interests, medical conditions, community decision making activity and specific types of activity.
The current context and overview of Health and Wellbeing in the city
“Right now, things are not fair. Some people in Sheffield die younger and have worse health than others. That includes people living in poverty, those with disabilities, people with serious mental illnesses, people from some ethnic minority groups, people experiencing homelessness and people who are seeking asylum or are refugees.
These differences don’t happen by accident. They happen because of the conditions we’re born into and that we live in. This includes facing racism and discrimination, living in poverty, not getting a good education, having low-paying and insecure jobs, living in poor housing, the quality of food we can access, the support we get from family and friends, the state of our local area, and how easy it is to access health and social care. Global warming also affects our lives.
We know it doesn’t have to be this way, and there are things we can do to create a different future.” Health and Wellbeing board joint statement in the Fair and Healthy Sheffield Plan 2025.
The picture of the health of Sheffielders is a pretty stark contrast and since the pandemic the gap of inequality has been getting wider. You can find some useful data and resources here on the Fair and Healthy Sheffield micro site which outlines how those inequalities show up in peoples lives and some links to research and lover reads on this https://health-wellbeing.sheffield.gov.uk/what-we-do/picture-health-sheffield
What is our role on the Sheffield Health and Wellbeing Board
Voluntary Action Sheffield has been a member of the Sheffield Health and Wellbeing Board for over 10 years and has played a connecting role on the board, to bring the perspective and insight of people and communities to the work of the board, through identifying, connecting and inviting participation from people leading social and community action.
VAS is represented by either the Chief Executive officer or our Director of Strategic at the Board meetings. You can get in touch with them at CEO@vas.org.uk
A key role for VAS is to bring perspective, understanding and leverage greater investment from across the system into action, support and services, that address some of the wider enablers of good health, such as; secure, well-paid employment, access to education, the right to safe and healthy housing, the value of local community organising and community-led models of care to name a few.
You can explore the Fair and Healthy Sheffield Plan here on the dedicated website, hosted by Sheffield City Council. https://health-wellbeing.sheffield.gov.uk/what-we-do/fair-healthy-sheffield-plan
Key Information
This network takes place online every Thursday 11.30am – 12.30pm.
To join the network, or to get further details or answers to any queries, please contact:
Shakila Sharif, Workforce Development Lead s.sharif@test.vas.org.uk