A new Collective which brings together the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector and health service in Northern Ireland will help transform healthcare, by jointly addressing challenges and opportunities by sharing expertise, assets and resources.
The Northern Ireland Health Collective managed by CO3, the body which represents leaders in the VCSE sector, has been made possible thanks to a £470,863 grant from Dormant Assets NI, which is delivered by The National Lottery Community Fund with the Department of Finance.
Kate Beggs, NI Director of The National Lottery Community Fund, explained: “The Northern Ireland Health Collective will bring together VCSE health, social care and community wellbeing forums and umbrella organisations to develop a collective approach to their work in transforming healthcare, by influencing policy, governance, and the design of future health programmes and infrastructure.
“Money from Dormant Assets in NI is there to help secure the long term future of the VCSE sector, and this strategic investment will make it more resilient by sharing resources, reducing duplication, building trusted partnerships and by having a strategic plan for the future.
“We are delighted to see the Health Collective launched today and look forward to it becoming a catalyst to inspire further cross sector working in Northern Ireland.”
The establishment of the Health Collective follows extensive research carried out by CO3 which identified the need for a body to unite and use the collective expertise and experience of VCSE health, social and community care organisations.
Jacinta Linden, Chair of CO3 welcoming the Dormant Assets NI funding and the launch of the NI Health Collective, said: “We all know that addressing health challenges in our communities requires more than one sector’s effort.
“The VCSE sector understands the experience of the people they serve and offers grass roots insights. On the other hand, statutory sectors offer stability, resources and the ability to operate at scale.
“When these two sectors come together the result is a partnership that is capable, community focused and strategic that will ensure improved health outcomes for local people.
“This new Health Collective will provide research and data on an ongoing basis which will inform health policy delivery and practice as well as being a forum for engagement and consultation with the health statutory bodies.
“It is filling a gap in the collective health service by providing VCSE organisations with a streamlined way to collaborate with government bodies.
“It will be an independent, resourced body and we welcome the funding from Dormant Assets NI and the acknowledgement and support of the Health Minister and the Department of Health.”
Dormant Assets NI funding is supporting the VCSE sector to be more resilient and prepared for the long-term future and comes from UK bank and building society accounts and other assets such as insurance and pensions that have been untouched for 15 or more years, where customers cannot be traced.
The National Lottery Community Fund will be engaging with the sector in the coming months about the next phase of Dormant Assets funding in NI.
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