Policy

What can 15 years of resident-led neighbourhood change teach us about the future of public services, funding and community power?

Voluntary Sector North West (VSNW), in partnership with Local Trust, is launching the first session in the Big Local North West Learning Programme, a new regional learning series exploring the legacy and learning from one of the most significant investments in community-led change in England.

Co-hosted with the VS6 Partnership, this opening session will focus on community-led systems change, exploring how long term investment, trust and resident leadership can support more effective approaches to neighbourhood change and public service reform.

Online
Shared Topic Areas

Crafting connection: building community cohesion through culture and heritage

Join The University of Manchester to discuss how local government can use culture and heritage to craft shared identities in local communities.

Greater Manchester has a rich and diverse heritage that is creative, industrial and political. It is also a place with deep-seated regional inequalities, both compared to the rest of the country and within the city region itself. So how can its history be harnessed to build social cohesion and community connectedness?

The University of Manchester campus (specific venue details confirmed on registration)
Shared Topic Areas

Crafting connection: building community cohesion through culture and heritage

Join the University of Manchester to discuss how local government can use culture and heritage to craft shared identities in local communities.

Greater Manchester has a rich and diverse heritage that is creative, industrial and political. It is also a place with deep-seated regional inequalities, both compared to the rest of the country and within the city region itself. So how can its history be harnessed to build social cohesion and community connectedness?

The University of Manchester campus (specific venue details confirmed on registration)
Shared Topic Areas

VCFSE Accord celebration

A celebration of the renewed Greater Manchester VCFSE Accord (2026–2035) – a shared agreement that sets out how the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector and public sector partners, including the health and care system, will work together.

This celebration will bring together VCFSE organisations, public sector and system partners from across Greater Manchester to celebrate the role of the VCFSE sector, showcase what we have achieved together so far, and explore how we build on this over the next decade.

People's History Museum, Leftbank, Manchester, M3 3ER
Shared Topic Areas

Manchester Safeguarding Partnership: Recognising the signs and indicators of Child Sexual Abuse

This course is for professionals working with children, families or in safeguarding roles, as it enhances practitioners’ confidence and competence in recognising the signs and indicators of child sexual abuse and responding appropriately.

It offers structured guidance, evidence‑informed tools, and opportunities for reflective practice, supporting professionals to engage in sensitive conversations, examine assumptions and ensure that the child’s wellbeing remains central to all decision‑making.

Hough End Centre, Mauldeth Road West, Chorlton, Manchester, M21 7SX

Building neighbourhood governance for community power

What would it look like for communities to have real power in shaping their neighbourhoods?

Following the passage of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act, new neighbourhood governance arrangements are being rolled out across the country. Join Community Organisers and We're Right Here for a practical, interactive session exploring what this means in practice.

Online
Shared Topic Areas

Ann Craft Trust: From Values to Practice - Building Person-Centred Safeguarding Adults Policy & Procedures

This workshop encourages discussion, reflection and critical thinking to enhance your safeguarding adults policy and procedures is fit for purpose.

Developed through the lens of those with lived-experience, this workshop focuses on the fundamentals of developing an effective policy and the accompanying procedures and applying a values-based approach.

Date: Thursday 5 March 2026
Time: 10.00 am – 1.00 pm
Location: Online
Price: £99 per person

Objectives For the Session

Online