Regional Overview – North East
Overview
Voluntary Organisations’ Network North East (VONNE) is the regional infrastructure organisation for the voluntary and community sector in the North East. VONNE facilitates the North East Health and Social Care Forum, connecting around 200 organisations working in health and social care. To find out more email Healthandsocialcare@vonne.org.uk. VONNE also facilitates NETS(work) the North East Third Sector learning disability provider network.
During the transition VONNE has been working closely with NHS North East, North East ADASS and the PCT clusters and local authorities to promote involvement of the voluntary sector in the new structures and to keep the sector up to date about the transition.
Clinical Commissioning Groups now cover 98% of the North East. CCGs are linking with Local Authorities, and sometimes, through these arrangements with local voluntary infrastructure organisations ot VCS organisations, but this is patchy and with varying degrees of engagement. Newcastle Bridges Consortia has places for VCS representatives on its Board and is viewed by many in the sector as an example of good practice for wider engagement.
VONNE has produced a guide to the Voluntary Sector for Commissioners. This has been circulated to all PCTs and Commissioning Groups. Two areas (South of Tyne PCT and Darlington) have actively used this in training / awareness events.